Deputy Prime Minister of India Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Deputy Prime Minister of India
Flag of India
State Emblem of India
Incumbent Vacant since 23 May 2004
Government of India
Style	The Honourable (formal) His Excellency (diplomatic) Mr. Deputy Prime Minister (informal)
Member of	Parliament of India Union Council of Ministers
Reports to	President of India Vice President of India Prime Minister of India Parliament of India
Nominator	Prime Minister of India
Appointer	President of India
Formation	15 August 1947; 77 years ago (1947-08-15)
First holder	Vallabhbhai Patel
Final holder	L. K. Advani

The Deputy Prime Minister of India is a very important role in the Government of India. Even though it's not a job mentioned in India's main rulebook (the Constitution), it's the second-highest position a minister can hold. The person in this role is a senior member of the Union Council of Ministers, which is like the Prime Minister's main team. This person also steps in for the Prime Minister when they are away.

This special job hasn't always been filled. In fact, it has only been used for about 10 years since India became independent in 1947. India has had 7 Deputy Prime Ministers so far. None of them have served a full term in this role.

The first person to hold this position was Vallabhbhai Patel. He started on August 15, 1947, the day India gained freedom from British rule. Patel served until he passed away in December 1950. He holds the record for serving the longest as Deputy Prime Minister.

After Patel, the position was empty for a long time. Then, Morarji Desai became the second Deputy Prime Minister in 1967. He served the second-longest time. Interestingly, both Morarji Desai and Charan Singh later became Prime Ministers of India after being Deputy Prime Ministers. Jagjivan Ram and Yashwantrao Chavan also served as Deputy Prime Ministers one after another in different governments. Devi Lal is unique because he was Deputy Prime Minister for two different political parties. The seventh and last person to hold this job was Lal Krishna Advani.

Currently, the government does not have a Deputy Prime Minister. The position has been empty since May 23, 2004.

Who Were India's Deputy Prime Ministers?
Timeline of Deputy Prime Ministers
Images for kids
See also

Who Were India's Deputy Prime Ministers?

Here is a list of the people who have served as Deputy Prime Minister of India:

Vallabhbhai Patel (1875–1950)
- Served from August 15, 1947, to December 15, 1950.
- He was also the Minister of Home Affairs.
- Party: Indian National Congress

Position not in use (December 15, 1950 – March 12, 1967)

Morarji Desai (1896–1995)
- Served from March 13, 1967, to July 19, 1969.
- He was also the Minister of Finance.
- Party: Indian National Congress

Position not in use (July 20, 1969 – January 23, 1979)

Charan Singh (1902–1987)
- Served from January 24, 1979, to July 16, 1979.
- He was also the Minister of Finance.
- Party: Janata Party

Jagjivan Ram (1908–1986)
- Served from January 24, 1979, to July 28, 1979.
- He was also the Minister of Defence.
- Party: Janata Party

Yashwantrao Chavan (1913–1984)
- Served from July 28, 1979, to January 14, 1980.
- He was also the Minister of Home Affairs.
- Party: Indian National Congress (Urs)

Position not in use (January 14, 1980 – December 1, 1989)

Devi Lal (1915–2001)
- Served from December 2, 1989, to August 1, 1990.
- He was also the Minister of Agriculture.
- Party: Janata Dal

Position not in use (August 1, 1990 – November 9, 1990)

Devi Lal (1915–2001)
- Served again from November 10, 1990, to June 21, 1991.
- He was also the Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Tourism.
- Party: Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya)

Position not in use (June 22, 1991 – June 28, 2002)

Lal Krishna Advani (born 1927)
- Served from June 29, 2002, to May 22, 2004.
- He was also the Minister of Home Affairs.
- Party: Bharatiya Janata Party