PM Modi marks 25 years on a journey from Gujarat to the heart of Indian power
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks 25 years as the head of a government on October 7, a political journey that began when he took oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001. He went on to serve as Gujarat’s chief minister until 2014 before becoming Prime Minister of India, a position he has held since May 2014.
He served as Gujarat’s chief minister from 2001 to 2014 and then won the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, 2019 and 2024, becoming Prime Minister for a third consecutive term in 2024.
The 25-year milestone also comes as India and New Zealand enter a new phase in their economic relationship, with the two countries’ Free Trade Agreement set to enter into force on October 20, 2026.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi on April 27 by India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay. New Zealand completed its domestic ratification process on September 21, clearing the way for the agreement to take effect later this month.
The FTA will provide new market access for exporters in both countries.
The agreement follows a significant strengthening of bilateral ties in 2026. During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to New Zealand in July, his first visit to the country by an Indian prime minister in four decades, India and New Zealand announced a Strategic Partnership and endorsed a Roadmap to 2030.
A journey from Gujarat to the heart of Indian power
The milestone has been marked by celebrations and programmes across India, with supporters highlighting themes associated with Modi’s political career, including seva (service), good governance and the goal of building a Viksit Bharat, a developed India, by 2047.
On October 6, the Union Cabinet passed a resolution congratulating Modi on completing 25 years of continuous leadership as head of government. The resolution described his political journey as being guided by the principles of “Nation First” and “Citizen First” and highlighted initiatives and policies implemented during his tenure in Gujarat and at the Centre.
It credited his governments with a range of initiatives, including SWAGAT, Jan Dhan Yojana, PM-KISAN, Swachh Bharat, women’s empowerment initiatives, UPI and digital payments, as well as various infrastructure, welfare and governance reforms. These are presented in the resolution as key elements of his 25-year record in public office.
Modi’s own account of the milestone dates the beginning of his tenure as head of government to October 7, 2001, when he first became Gujarat chief minister. On October 7, 2025, he said he was entering his 25th year of serving as the head of a government.
On June 10, 2026, the Union Cabinet said Modi had become India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister for consecutive terms, with 4,399 days, surpassing former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s previous record of 4,398 days.
Seva Sankalp Yatra to conclude in Vadnagar and Varanasi
The BJP’s Seva Sankalp Abhiyan has also been organised to mark the 25-year milestone. The campaign began on September 17, Modi’s 76th birthday, and has included public outreach and service-related activities across the country.
As part of the campaign, the Seva Sankalp Yatra travelled between Vadnagar in Gujarat, Modi’s birthplace, and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, his Lok Sabha constituency. The journey has involved youth participants and activities centred on service, social responsibility and community engagement.
The yatra is scheduled to conclude on October 7 with programmes in both Vadnagar and Varanasi. In Varanasi, participants are expected to take part in a Jalabhishek at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple using water brought from Vadnagar, followed by a public gathering.
The closing events will mark a symbolic link between two places central to Modi’s political and personal journey.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks 25 years as the head of a government on October 7, a political journey that began when he took oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001. He went on to serve as Gujarat’s chief minister until 2014 before becoming Prime Minister of India, a position he...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks 25 years as the head of a government on October 7, a political journey that began when he took oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001. He went on to serve as Gujarat’s chief minister until 2014 before becoming Prime Minister of India, a position he has held since May 2014.
He served as Gujarat’s chief minister from 2001 to 2014 and then won the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, 2019 and 2024, becoming Prime Minister for a third consecutive term in 2024.
The 25-year milestone also comes as India and New Zealand enter a new phase in their economic relationship, with the two countries’ Free Trade Agreement set to enter into force on October 20, 2026.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi on April 27 by India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay. New Zealand completed its domestic ratification process on September 21, clearing the way for the agreement to take effect later this month.
The FTA will provide new market access for exporters in both countries.
The agreement follows a significant strengthening of bilateral ties in 2026. During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to New Zealand in July, his first visit to the country by an Indian prime minister in four decades, India and New Zealand announced a Strategic Partnership and endorsed a Roadmap to 2030.
A journey from Gujarat to the heart of Indian power
The milestone has been marked by celebrations and programmes across India, with supporters highlighting themes associated with Modi’s political career, including seva (service), good governance and the goal of building a Viksit Bharat, a developed India, by 2047.
On October 6, the Union Cabinet passed a resolution congratulating Modi on completing 25 years of continuous leadership as head of government. The resolution described his political journey as being guided by the principles of “Nation First” and “Citizen First” and highlighted initiatives and policies implemented during his tenure in Gujarat and at the Centre.
It credited his governments with a range of initiatives, including SWAGAT, Jan Dhan Yojana, PM-KISAN, Swachh Bharat, women’s empowerment initiatives, UPI and digital payments, as well as various infrastructure, welfare and governance reforms. These are presented in the resolution as key elements of his 25-year record in public office.
Modi’s own account of the milestone dates the beginning of his tenure as head of government to October 7, 2001, when he first became Gujarat chief minister. On October 7, 2025, he said he was entering his 25th year of serving as the head of a government.
On June 10, 2026, the Union Cabinet said Modi had become India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister for consecutive terms, with 4,399 days, surpassing former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s previous record of 4,398 days.
Seva Sankalp Yatra to conclude in Vadnagar and Varanasi
The BJP’s Seva Sankalp Abhiyan has also been organised to mark the 25-year milestone. The campaign began on September 17, Modi’s 76th birthday, and has included public outreach and service-related activities across the country.
As part of the campaign, the Seva Sankalp Yatra travelled between Vadnagar in Gujarat, Modi’s birthplace, and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, his Lok Sabha constituency. The journey has involved youth participants and activities centred on service, social responsibility and community engagement.
The yatra is scheduled to conclude on October 7 with programmes in both Vadnagar and Varanasi. In Varanasi, participants are expected to take part in a Jalabhishek at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple using water brought from Vadnagar, followed by a public gathering.
The closing events will mark a symbolic link between two places central to Modi’s political and personal journey.
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