Population during each prime minister's tenure
Every prime minister since 1991, ranked by how population changed from their first day in office. Politare shows what happened during a tenure; it does not claim the office-holder caused it.
| # | Prime minister | In office | Total | Per year | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | INC Manmohan Singh | 22 May 2004 – 26 May 2014 | +16.0% 2003 → 2013 | +1.5%/yr | |
| 2 | BJP Narendra Modi | 26 May 2014 – now | +13.0% 2013 → 2025 | +1.0%/yr | |
| 3 | BJP Atal Bihari Vajpayee | 19 Mar 1998 – 22 May 2004 | +11.8% 1997 → 2003 | +1.9%/yr | |
| 4 | INC P. V. Narasimha Rao | 21 Jun 1991 – 1 Jun 1996 from 1991 | +8.6% 1991 → 1995 | +2.1%/yr |
Sorted by total, highest first. Every row is indexed to the last count complete before the first day in office ("from" marks a start that had to move because that count had no data, or because the period cut it); Levels are per cent changes, rates are differences in %; "per year" compounds levels and divides rates. Tenures with under 12 months, or under three observations, are left out. millions, mid-year estimate · World Bank, World Development Indicators (SP.POP.TOTL), from the UN Population Division and the Census of India · India data · as of Sep 2026.