Narendra Damodardas Modi, born September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, Gujarat, is the current Prime Minister of India and a leading figure in the country’s political landscape[1][4]. He is the first Indian prime minister born after India’s independence in 1947[5][7]. Modi’s early life was marked by modest beginnings in a lower-middle-class family, and he became involved with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization, at a young age[2][4]. His political career began in earnest when he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 1980s, rising through its ranks due to his organizational skills and grassroots appeal[2][4]. Modi’s first major political role was as Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, where he was known for pro-business policies and infrastructure development, though his tenure was also controversial due to the 2002 Gujarat riots, for which he faced criticism but was later cleared by a Supreme Court-appointed investigation[4]. In 2014, Modi led the BJP to a decisive national victory, becoming Prime Minister and ending a long period of coalition governments[1][2]. He was re-elected in 2019 and again in 2024, making him one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers and the first outside the Indian National Congress to achieve such longevity[4][2]. As Prime Minister, Modi has pursued sweeping economic reforms, including the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to simplify India’s tax system and the demonetization of high-value currency notes to combat corruption[1][6]. He has launched initiatives like “Make in India” to boost manufacturing, “Digital India” to expand internet access, and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) to reduce import dependency, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic[6]. His government has also implemented large-scale welfare programs such as Ayushman Bharat (health insurance for the poor), Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (financial inclusion), and Ujjwala Yojana (clean cooking fuel for rural households)[5]. Modi’s tenure has seen a marked shift in India’s foreign policy, with increased global engagement, strategic partnerships, and advocacy for a permanent UN Security Council seat[3]. Domestically, his leadership has been associated with a rise in Hindu nationalist sentiment and policies appealing to the Hindu majority[1]. While his economic reforms have expanded the tax base and modernized infrastructure, critics point to challenges such as unemployment and rising living costs[1]. Modi remains a central and polarizing figure in Indian politics, with his policies and persona continuing to shape the nation’s direction into the mid-2020s[2][4].