Narendra Modi Takes Oath as Prime Minister of India for Third Term

Narendra Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister of India for his third consecutive term on Sunday in a grand ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The event saw the presence of leaders from India’s neighboring countries and the Indian Ocean region. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Modi, followed by his team of ministers.
Modi attended the ceremony wearing a full-sleeved white kurta with churidar and a blue half-jacket. Dignitaries in attendance included Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, and Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Afif.
Having served as Prime Minister since 2014, Modi is also the longest-serving Chief Minister of Gujarat, holding office from October 2001 to May 2014. His tenure as Prime Minister has been marked by several key initiatives emphasizing development and corruption-free governance. Programs such as Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, and Housing for All have been launched under his leadership.
Modi has promoted transparency and efficiency through the JAM trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile), eliminating middlemen and leveraging technology. His first term saw the launch of the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ on Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth Anniversary, a nationwide cleanliness campaign.
The BJP-led NDA government under Modi has focused on creating next-generation infrastructure, including highways, railways, and waterways. Modi introduced PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation) to expedite delayed projects.
A champion of environmental causes, Modi has been recognized with the United Nations ‘Champions of the Earth Award.’ His foreign policy initiatives have significantly elevated India’s global stature, evidenced by the presence of SAARC and BIMSTEC leaders at the start of his terms. Modi has received numerous honors, including Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honor, the Sash of King Abdulaziz.
Modi’s proposal for an International Day of Yoga was endorsed by 177 nations at the UN, establishing June 21 as the official day. Born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat, Modi’s background from a marginalized section of society and early work with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party shaped his political career. Known for his strong connection with the populace and being tech-savvy, Modi uses the web to engage with people and drive change.
The BJP, under Modi’s leadership, secured absolute majorities in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections with 282 and 303 seats respectively. In the 2024 elections, the NDA coalition led by Modi holds 292 seats in Parliament, with a vision to make India a developed nation by 2047.
After staking his claim to form the government, Modi spoke at Rashtrapati Bhavan, emphasizing continuity and commitment to good governance. He reflected on India’s emergence as a global partner and expressed optimism about the next five years amidst global crises, highlighting India as the world’s fastest-growing economy.
Modi, who begins his day with Yoga and has authored several books, noted his experience as Prime Minister and his determination to utilize it for India’s benefit in the global arena.