August 22, 2026
‘Slap Ben Stokes with a suspension’: Former England legend on nightclub controversy

‘Slap Ben Stokes with a suspension’: Former England legend on nightclub controversy

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

England’s Ben Stokes (AP Photo) England’s preparations for the second Test against New Zealand have been overshadowed by a fresh off-field controversy involving captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson. The pair are reported to have broken the team curfew after England’s 115-run victory in the opening Test at Lord’s and later become involved…

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Krystle D’Souza: It’s confirmed! ‘Dhurandhar’ fame Krystle D’Souza has found love in AP; ‘Shararat’ track star is in happy space | Hindi Movie News

Krystle D’Souza: It’s confirmed! ‘Dhurandhar’ fame Krystle D’Souza has found love in AP; ‘Shararat’ track star is in happy space | Hindi Movie News

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Krystle D’Souza is reportedly dating Dubai-based businessman and luxury car collector AP. After weeks of speculation sparked by social media posts and public appearances, sources confirm the relationship. The couple has been together for a few months, prefers privacy, and is said to be happy and going strong. Krystle D’Souza is in a new relationship,…

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Battling medical store’s eye-drop blunder, depression: How UP’s chess whizz Shubhi Gupta became India Girls’ No. 1

Battling medical store’s eye-drop blunder, depression: How UP’s chess whizz Shubhi Gupta became India Girls’ No. 1

Vamsikrishna07 mins mins

Subhi Gupta (Special Arrangements) NEW DELHI: Imagine it is your first international chess tournament on your own. Your parents have burned a hole in their pockets to take you to the scenic country of Uzbekistan. There, you are supposed to play the toughest of opponents from across the globe. You reach the venue, and you…

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Joe Swash finds emotional details about his ancestors: ‘It really does fill me with a great deal of pride’

Joe Swash finds emotional details about his ancestors: ‘It really does fill me with a great deal of pride’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Joe Swash gets emotional lerning about his ancestry Joe Swash recently took part in the popular show ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ , which helps people look back into their ancestry. While filming the episode, the actor ended up getting emotional with his results, which revealed a surprising detail about his ancestry. Joe Swash…

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Karnataka trader kills wife and son before dying by suicide; death note blames govt’s free bus scheme for losses

Karnataka trader kills wife and son before dying by suicide; death note blames govt’s free bus scheme for losses

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

The deceased were identified as Prabhakar (Right), his wife Jyothi (Left) and their son Santosh (Middle). MANDYA: 65-year-old garment trader in Karnataka’s Mandya district allegedly killed his wife and son before ending his own life, leaving behind a purported suicide note pointing to mounting debts, loan repayment pressure and business losses that he linked to…

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Most shark-infested coastlines in the United States: 8 beaches and states where shark encounters happen most often |

Most shark-infested coastlines in the United States: 8 beaches and states where shark encounters happen most often |

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

Every summer, millions of people head towards America’s beaches expecting sunshine, surf, and warm coastal waters. Yet beneath those same waves lives one of the ocean’s most misunderstood predators. Shark attacks remain exceptionally rare, but they are not evenly distributed. Some areas of coastlines in the United States have more incidents of shark attacks than…

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Photo credit: dipa.co.in MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Raising concerns over recurring electrical accidents, fires and electrocutions across the country, former power sector regulator D Radhakrishna has urged the Centre to introduce sweeping electrical safety reforms, arguing that stronger oversight is essential to protect consumers and prevent avoidable tragedies.In a letter dated June 9 to NITI Aayog member Prof Abhay Karandikar, Radhakrishna said electrical safety remains one of the most neglected yet critical areas of India’s power sector. He linked his concerns to a 1984 circuit-breaker blast at a power generation facility that reportedly claimed nearly 20 lives, including colleagues, an experience he said underscored the consequences of weak safety systems.For ordinary consumers, the issue goes beyond statistics. Transformer blasts, short-circuit fires and electrocution incidents continue to affect homes, residential complexes and public spaces, he noted, adding that rapid urbanisation, high-rise development and rising electricity consumption have increased risks.Among the measures proposed are independent electrical safety certification, mandatory periodic safety audits for residential complexes, hospitals, schools, malls and high-rise buildings, stricter enforcement of safety regulations, and creation of a national authority dedicated to electrical safety oversight and accident investigation.The former regulator also suggested capacity-building programmes for electricians and maintenance personnel, along with stronger compensation mechanisms for victims of electrical accidents and fires.The letter additionally recommends examining a longer tariff framework for certain long-life power infrastructure projects, arguing that it could improve affordability while creating financial room for maintenance and safety compliance.Radhakrishna urged the government to consider a high-level committee comprising technical institutions, regulators and industry experts to study the proposals, saying safety and affordability must remain the twin pillars of future power-sector reforms.Read the latest news on the go. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorChittaranjan TembhekarA journalist with nearly 30 years of experience, Chittaranjan has been writing in-depth impactful news stories on infrastructure, environment, energy, liquor, tourism, mobility, ports, hospitality, telecom and petroleum besides covering administrative, political, legislative and policy-related issues at the state and central government levels.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC Faces Fresh Rebellion As MPs Cozy Up To NDA, Shatrughan Sinha’s Silence Raises QuestionsDelhi Races Against Monsoon: 70% Drain Desilting Completed, June 15 Deadline SetFlying Could Cost More As Government-Backed ATF Price Hike Raises Airline Operating CostsIndus Waters Treaty In Abeyance: Centre Says Pakistan Won’t Get ‘A Single Drop’ Of WaterMamata Banerjee’s Rare Meeting With Sonia Gandhi Sparks Speculation Of Opposition RealignmentIndia’s Nuclear Posture Shifts As SIPRI Flags Deployment Of 12 Warheads | WatchCongress Alleges EC Blocked Delegation Amid Meenakshi Natarajan Rajya Sabha Nomination Row | WatchCongress Candidate Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha Nomination Rejected In MPCID Searches TMC Offices In Kolkata As Abhishek Faces Third Summons In Signature Forgery ProbeHorse-Trading Fears Trigger Congress Move As MP MLAs Fly To Bengaluru Before Voting123PhotostoriesThis day, that year: From Bonnie and Clyde’s devastating crash to Spirit Rover’s Mars journey — How June 10 shaped the worldHanging baskets turning thin: 7 Smart care tips to keep them overflowing with flowersThe best places to retire in India: Affordable, peaceful, and senior-friendlyKangana Ranaut channels her inner Marathi mulgi in a stunning Paithani sareeHeatwave intensifying every year: 6 effective home cooling elements that help reduce indoor heat without heavy AC useDiscover the best temple for wish fulfillment according to your birth date10 baby names that feel cool, creative, and effortlessly trendyThe ancient origins and history of Payal: How anklets became a symbol of Indian traditionFrom growing up amid curfews in Kashmir to earning Rs 2.5 lakh a day: When Aly Goni spoke about his struggles and journey in TV IndustryThis bridge in New York once hosted 21 elephants; 5 interesting things to know123Hot PicksSourth Africa ShootingBharathirajaDelhi hotel fireAshok MuralidaranFIFA World Cup ScheduleKarnataka Trader NewsHector PennKerala Plus One ResultTNEA Random NumberTop TrendingBAN vs AUS Live ScoreUS Iran warGold Rate TodayFIFA World Cup 2026Delhi Hotel FireChennai TNSTC BusMeerut Conversion CaseBareilly NewsFilmmaker Bharathiraja DeathKarnataka Murder

Photo credit: dipa.co.in MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Raising concerns over recurring electrical accidents, fires and electrocutions across the country, former power sector regulator D Radhakrishna has urged the Centre to introduce sweeping electrical safety reforms, arguing that stronger oversight is essential to protect consumers and prevent avoidable tragedies.In a letter dated June 9 to NITI Aayog member Prof Abhay Karandikar, Radhakrishna said electrical safety remains one of the most neglected yet critical areas of India’s power sector. He linked his concerns to a 1984 circuit-breaker blast at a power generation facility that reportedly claimed nearly 20 lives, including colleagues, an experience he said underscored the consequences of weak safety systems.For ordinary consumers, the issue goes beyond statistics. Transformer blasts, short-circuit fires and electrocution incidents continue to affect homes, residential complexes and public spaces, he noted, adding that rapid urbanisation, high-rise development and rising electricity consumption have increased risks.Among the measures proposed are independent electrical safety certification, mandatory periodic safety audits for residential complexes, hospitals, schools, malls and high-rise buildings, stricter enforcement of safety regulations, and creation of a national authority dedicated to electrical safety oversight and accident investigation.The former regulator also suggested capacity-building programmes for electricians and maintenance personnel, along with stronger compensation mechanisms for victims of electrical accidents and fires.The letter additionally recommends examining a longer tariff framework for certain long-life power infrastructure projects, arguing that it could improve affordability while creating financial room for maintenance and safety compliance.Radhakrishna urged the government to consider a high-level committee comprising technical institutions, regulators and industry experts to study the proposals, saying safety and affordability must remain the twin pillars of future power-sector reforms.Read the latest news on the go. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorChittaranjan TembhekarA journalist with nearly 30 years of experience, Chittaranjan has been writing in-depth impactful news stories on infrastructure, environment, energy, liquor, tourism, mobility, ports, hospitality, telecom and petroleum besides covering administrative, political, legislative and policy-related issues at the state and central government levels.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC Faces Fresh Rebellion As MPs Cozy Up To NDA, Shatrughan Sinha’s Silence Raises QuestionsDelhi Races Against Monsoon: 70% Drain Desilting Completed, June 15 Deadline SetFlying Could Cost More As Government-Backed ATF Price Hike Raises Airline Operating CostsIndus Waters Treaty In Abeyance: Centre Says Pakistan Won’t Get ‘A Single Drop’ Of WaterMamata Banerjee’s Rare Meeting With Sonia Gandhi Sparks Speculation Of Opposition RealignmentIndia’s Nuclear Posture Shifts As SIPRI Flags Deployment Of 12 Warheads | WatchCongress Alleges EC Blocked Delegation Amid Meenakshi Natarajan Rajya Sabha Nomination Row | WatchCongress Candidate Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha Nomination Rejected In MPCID Searches TMC Offices In Kolkata As Abhishek Faces Third Summons In Signature Forgery ProbeHorse-Trading Fears Trigger Congress Move As MP MLAs Fly To Bengaluru Before Voting123PhotostoriesThis day, that year: From Bonnie and Clyde’s devastating crash to Spirit Rover’s Mars journey — How June 10 shaped the worldHanging baskets turning thin: 7 Smart care tips to keep them overflowing with flowersThe best places to retire in India: Affordable, peaceful, and senior-friendlyKangana Ranaut channels her inner Marathi mulgi in a stunning Paithani sareeHeatwave intensifying every year: 6 effective home cooling elements that help reduce indoor heat without heavy AC useDiscover the best temple for wish fulfillment according to your birth date10 baby names that feel cool, creative, and effortlessly trendyThe ancient origins and history of Payal: How anklets became a symbol of Indian traditionFrom growing up amid curfews in Kashmir to earning Rs 2.5 lakh a day: When Aly Goni spoke about his struggles and journey in TV IndustryThis bridge in New York once hosted 21 elephants; 5 interesting things to know123Hot PicksSourth Africa ShootingBharathirajaDelhi hotel fireAshok MuralidaranFIFA World Cup ScheduleKarnataka Trader NewsHector PennKerala Plus One ResultTNEA Random NumberTop TrendingBAN vs AUS Live ScoreUS Iran warGold Rate TodayFIFA World Cup 2026Delhi Hotel FireChennai TNSTC BusMeerut Conversion CaseBareilly NewsFilmmaker Bharathiraja DeathKarnataka Murder

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Raising concerns over recurring electrical accidents, fires and electrocutions across the country, former power sector regulator D Radhakrishna has urged the Centre to introduce sweeping electrical safety reforms, arguing that stronger oversight is essential to protect consumers and prevent avoidable tragedies.In a letter dated June 9 to NITI Aayog member Prof Abhay Karandikar,…

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Jun 10, 2026, 12:24 IST

Jun 10, 2026, 12:24 IST

Vamsikrishna07 mins mins

Subhi Gupta (Special Arrangements) NEW DELHI: Imagine it is your first international chess tournament on your own. Your parents have burned a hole in their pockets to take you to the scenic country of Uzbekistan. There, you are supposed to play the toughest of opponents from across the globe. You reach the venue, and you…

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Nithya Raman education qualifications: Meet the Indian-origin Harvard and MIT alum in the Los Angeles mayor race

Nithya Raman education qualifications: Meet the Indian-origin Harvard and MIT alum in the Los Angeles mayor race

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman talks to reporters after a campaign event in Los Angeles, Monday, June 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Indian-origin politician Nithya Raman is set to face incumbent mayor Karen Bass in the November election for Los Angeles mayor after overtaking reality television star Spencer Pratt in the race for…

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1984 riots to Khalistan: Here’s what Aditya Dhar changed in ‘Dhurandhar 2’ before its release, now included in the UNCUT version

1984 riots to Khalistan: Here’s what Aditya Dhar changed in ‘Dhurandhar 2’ before its release, now included in the UNCUT version

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

The uncut version of ‘Dhurandhar 2’ on Netflix and JioHotstar has revealed that Aditya Dhar dubbed over a dialogue referencing the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and renamed a character based on real Khalistani militant Happy PhD. Reddit users spotted these changes, sparking a debate about whether the edits were necessary. Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller ‘Dhurandhar’ has…

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Narendra Modi is now India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister. ‘Modi hai to Mumkin hai’, a popular catchphrase that has become synonymous with the BJP-led NDA government over the years. Indeed, this idea of “achieving the impossible” has often been projected as a hallmark of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12-year-long tenure at the helm. But even many of his supporters may not have imagined that one day their leader would make ‘mumkin’ what had remained impossible for other leaders for decades.On June 10, 2026, Narendra Modi entered the record books by becoming the longest serving elected Prime Minister of the country, serving the nation continuously for 4,399 days. This is one more than what the country’s first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru had achieved during his lifetime. Nehru had an unbroken tenure of 4,398 days after leading Congress to victories in the country’s first three general elections. Nehru, however, continues to hold the record as India’s longest-serving Prime Minister overall, having remained in office from Independence in 1947 until his death in 1964. Narendra Modi completed 4,399 consecutive days in office on June 10, 2026, surpassing Jawaharlal Nehru’s record of 4,398 days.The only other Prime Minister who came close to Nehru’s record was Indira Gandhi, whose longest uninterrupted stint in office lasted 4,077 days. More than 60 years after Nehru’s death in office, the record has finally changed hands.The road to recordIt was on May 26 in 2014 that Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister of the country for the first time. The day marked the beginning of a dominance that continues till today. His record stint at the top comes after three successive Lok Sabha victories, a feat which only Jawahar Lal Nehru had achieved before him. In 2019, PM Modi led the BJP to a bigger victory than 2014 and took oath as PM for the second time on May 30, 2019. His third stint as Prime Minister started on June 9, 2024. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw BJP come down below the majority mark in numbers for the first time, but that in no way diluted PM Modi’s dominance. PM Modi’s road to 4,399 days Longest serving head of governmentIn fact, much before Narendra Modi took over as the Prime Minister of the country, he was already creating governance records in his home state of Gujarat where he served as the chief minister for 12 long years. Narendra Modi became the chief minister for the first time in October 2001 and served in that position for 4,610 days before taking oath as Prime Minister.Combined with his tenure as Prime Minister, PM Modi has now spent more than 9,000 days as the elected head of a government. In March 2026, he surpassed former Sikkim chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling’s tenure of 8,930 days to create a record of becoming the country’s longest-serving head of government. Combining his tenure as Gujarat chief minister and Prime Minister, Modi became India’s longest-serving head of government in March 2026.How the Lok Sabha changedThe BJP’s journey to a third consecutive term at the Centre can be traced through its Lok Sabha performance over the past four general elections. After winning 116 seats in 2009, the party more than doubled its tally to 282 seats in 2014, securing the first single-party majority in the Lok Sabha in three decades. It improved on that performance in 2019, winning 303 seats, before slipping to 240 seats in 2024.While the BJP’s tally declined in 2024, it remained the single-largest party in Parliament and retained power through the NDA. Congress, which won 206 seats in 2009, fell to 44 seats in 2014 before recovering to 99 seats in 2024. How India’s map turned saffron in 12 yearsDuring the last 12 years, the BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has transformed India’s political map, evolving from a party largely concentrated in the Hindi heartland into one with a presence across much of the country. When PM Modi first took office in 2014, the BJP was in power in just seven states. Today, the party and its allies govern 22 states and Union territories. The party formed governments in states where it previously had little or no presence and strengthened its position in several existing strongholds. The expansion also came at a time when Congress’ footprint in the states continued to shrink, reducing its presence largely to a handful of states and coalition governments.Expanding beyond traditional strongholdsWhile the BJP increased its footprint across the country, the party’s gains were particularly visible along the eastern coast. In 2024, it captured power in Odisha for the first time unseating the Biju Janata Dal after 24 years in power. Two years later, it secured a historic victory in West Bengal, another state where it had never previously formed a government. Some of the BJP’s most significant gains came outside the Hindi heartland. In the Northeast, the party expanded from a limited presence to become a key political player, forming governments in Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur while participating in ruling alliances in Meghalaya and Nagaland. From seven states in 2014 to a presence across much of the country, the BJP’s expansion extended beyond its traditional strongholds.The BJP’s winning march saw the party become the dominant player in states like Maharashtra and Bihar, transforming from playing second fiddle to the regional allies for years. In both these states, the BJP was the junior partner of the regional allies – Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) in Bihar. But that has now changed for good. Today, the saffron party rules both the states and it is the regional allies that are the junior partners.Expanding popularity with votersThe numbers in legislatures were a natural fallout of the party’s increasing popularity with the voters. The BJP’s vote share in Lok Sabha and also several states where it formed governments saw a steady rise. The world’s largest political partyThe BJP’s rise under Narendra Modi has not been confined to elections. Over the past decade, the party has also expanded its organisational base, becoming the world’s largest political party. The BJP first claimed the distinction in 2015 after overtaking the Chinese Communist Party in membership numbers, and subsequent membership drives have further widened the gap.According to figures cited by BJP leaders in 2025, the party has around 14 crore (140 million) members, compared with about 10 crore members of the Chinese Communist Party. The BJP’s membership base is also substantially larger than that of most major political parties in democracies, including the US Democratic and Republican parties. Global approval ratings: PM Modi is No. 1Now, such popularity at home cannot go unnoticed across the globe, especially at a time when most of the global leaders, except Xi Jingping in China and President Vladimir Putin in Russia, crumbled under pressure and also the weight of expectations in their countries. Prime Minister Modi’s approval ratings did not just soar with his tenure, but has stayed at the top for years.According to Morning Consult’s Global Leader Approval Rating Tracker, PM Modi had an approval rating of 70% as of April 2026, the highest among the world leaders tracked by the firm. Per capita income of the countryIndia’s per capita income has risen significantly over the past four decades, increasing from about 1 in 1980 to an estimated ,812 in 2026, according to IMF data. The sharpest rise came after the economic reforms launched by the PV Narasimha Rao government in 1991. Income levels continued to rise during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi governments, alongside sustained economic growth and increasing integration with global markets.The numbers also reflect the impact of major economic disruptions in the last decade. Per capita income declined during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 before recovering in subsequent years as economic activity resumed and growth rebounded. Since 2014, India’s per capita income has increased from about ,567 to an estimated ,812 in 2026. The rise broadly mirrors the growth of the overall economy, which has expanded from roughly trillion in 2014 to a projected trillion-plus in 2026.A trillion economy soonIndia’s nominal GDP has grown from about .02 trillion in 2014 to an estimated .15 trillion in 2026, according to IMF projections. The expansion has been driven by a combination of domestic consumption, investment, growth in the services sector and government spending on infrastructure.The growth trajectory was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to a contraction in economic activity in 2020 before the economy rebounded in subsequent years. Based on current projections, India is expected to cross the trillion mark during PM Modi’s third term and remain among the world’s fastest-growing major economies. However, the outlook remains tied to global developments. Economists and ratings agencies have flagged risks from the ongoing conflict in West Asia, particularly through higher crude oil prices, inflationary pressures and a larger import bill for an oil-dependent economy like India. While growth has remained resilient, the sustainability of that momentum will depend on how these external pressures evolve.When can India become a trillion economy?The idea of India becoming a trillion economy entered the conversation in 2019. Presenting the Union Budget that year, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India was “on the path of achieving the Prime Minister’s vision of a trillion economy by 2024-25”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly described the target as a key milestone in India’s growth journey.The timeline, however, was disrupted by a combination of factors. The Covid-19 pandemic triggered a sharp economic contraction in 2020, while the rupee’s steady depreciation against the US dollar reduced the size of India’s economy when measured in dollar terms. As a result, even though GDP expanded significantly in rupee terms, the economy remained short of the trillion mark. The trillion questionAccording to IMF projections, India’s nominal GDP is expected to reach about .15 trillion in 2026. Most estimates now place the trillion milestone around 2028-29. Projections based on IMF data suggest the economy could approach trillion by 2027-28 before crossing the mark the following year. At the end of this decade, India is likely to become the third largest economy, although the timeline will depend on economic growth, the rupee’s exchange rate and global conditions.More than six decades after Nehru’s death, the record for India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister has changed hands. Whether PM Modi’s tenure eventually matches Nehru’s overall time in office remains to be seen, but the milestone does mark the end of one chapter in and the beginning of another.Read the latest news on the go. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPriyanka MukherjeePriyanka Mukherjee is an Assistant News Editor at The Times of India, where deadlines rarely slow down. Often juggling breaking news, long-form explainers and the everyday chaos of the newsroom, she is usually managing stress, chasing clarity and trying to log off on time (rarely successful). She also cares deeply about stories around women’s rights and social change, while two very opinionated dogs make sure she never truly switches off.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC Faces Fresh Rebellion As MPs Cozy Up To NDA, Shatrughan Sinha’s Silence Raises QuestionsDelhi Races Against Monsoon: 70% Drain Desilting Completed, June 15 Deadline SetFlying Could Cost More As Government-Backed ATF Price Hike Raises Airline Operating CostsIndus Waters Treaty In Abeyance: Centre Says Pakistan Won’t Get ‘A Single Drop’ Of WaterMamata Banerjee’s Rare Meeting With Sonia Gandhi Sparks Speculation Of Opposition RealignmentIndia’s Nuclear Posture Shifts As SIPRI Flags Deployment Of 12 Warheads | WatchCongress Alleges EC Blocked Delegation Amid Meenakshi Natarajan Rajya Sabha Nomination Row | WatchCongress Candidate Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha Nomination Rejected In MPCID Searches TMC Offices In Kolkata As Abhishek Faces Third Summons In Signature Forgery ProbeHorse-Trading Fears Trigger Congress Move As MP MLAs Fly To Bengaluru Before Voting123PhotostoriesThis day, that year: From Bonnie and Clyde’s devastating crash to Spirit Rover’s Mars journey — How June 10 shaped the worldHanging baskets turning thin: 7 Smart care tips to keep them overflowing with flowersThe best places to retire in India: Affordable, peaceful, and senior-friendlyKangana Ranaut channels her inner Marathi mulgi in a stunning Paithani sareeHeatwave intensifying every year: 6 effective home cooling elements that help reduce indoor heat without heavy AC useDiscover the best temple for wish fulfillment according to your birth date10 baby names that feel cool, creative, and effortlessly trendyThe ancient origins and history of Payal: How anklets became a symbol of Indian traditionFrom growing up amid curfews in Kashmir to earning Rs 2.5 lakh a day: When Aly Goni spoke about his struggles and journey in TV IndustryThis bridge in New York once hosted 21 elephants; 5 interesting things to know123Hot PicksSourth Africa ShootingBharathirajaDelhi hotel fireAshok MuralidaranFIFA World Cup ScheduleKarnataka Trader NewsHector PennKerala Plus One ResultTNEA Random NumberTop TrendingBAN vs AUS Live ScoreUS Iran warGold Rate TodayFIFA World Cup 2026Delhi Hotel FireChennai TNSTC BusMeerut Conversion CaseBareilly NewsFilmmaker Bharathiraja DeathKarnataka Murder

Narendra Modi is now India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister. ‘Modi hai to Mumkin hai’, a popular catchphrase that has become synonymous with the BJP-led NDA government over the years. Indeed, this idea of “achieving the impossible” has often been projected as a hallmark of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12-year-long tenure at the helm. But even many of his supporters may not have imagined that one day their leader would make ‘mumkin’ what had remained impossible for other leaders for decades.On June 10, 2026, Narendra Modi entered the record books by becoming the longest serving elected Prime Minister of the country, serving the nation continuously for 4,399 days. This is one more than what the country’s first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru had achieved during his lifetime. Nehru had an unbroken tenure of 4,398 days after leading Congress to victories in the country’s first three general elections. Nehru, however, continues to hold the record as India’s longest-serving Prime Minister overall, having remained in office from Independence in 1947 until his death in 1964. Narendra Modi completed 4,399 consecutive days in office on June 10, 2026, surpassing Jawaharlal Nehru’s record of 4,398 days.The only other Prime Minister who came close to Nehru’s record was Indira Gandhi, whose longest uninterrupted stint in office lasted 4,077 days. More than 60 years after Nehru’s death in office, the record has finally changed hands.The road to recordIt was on May 26 in 2014 that Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister of the country for the first time. The day marked the beginning of a dominance that continues till today. His record stint at the top comes after three successive Lok Sabha victories, a feat which only Jawahar Lal Nehru had achieved before him. In 2019, PM Modi led the BJP to a bigger victory than 2014 and took oath as PM for the second time on May 30, 2019. His third stint as Prime Minister started on June 9, 2024. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw BJP come down below the majority mark in numbers for the first time, but that in no way diluted PM Modi’s dominance. PM Modi’s road to 4,399 days Longest serving head of governmentIn fact, much before Narendra Modi took over as the Prime Minister of the country, he was already creating governance records in his home state of Gujarat where he served as the chief minister for 12 long years. Narendra Modi became the chief minister for the first time in October 2001 and served in that position for 4,610 days before taking oath as Prime Minister.Combined with his tenure as Prime Minister, PM Modi has now spent more than 9,000 days as the elected head of a government. In March 2026, he surpassed former Sikkim chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling’s tenure of 8,930 days to create a record of becoming the country’s longest-serving head of government. Combining his tenure as Gujarat chief minister and Prime Minister, Modi became India’s longest-serving head of government in March 2026.How the Lok Sabha changedThe BJP’s journey to a third consecutive term at the Centre can be traced through its Lok Sabha performance over the past four general elections. After winning 116 seats in 2009, the party more than doubled its tally to 282 seats in 2014, securing the first single-party majority in the Lok Sabha in three decades. It improved on that performance in 2019, winning 303 seats, before slipping to 240 seats in 2024.While the BJP’s tally declined in 2024, it remained the single-largest party in Parliament and retained power through the NDA. Congress, which won 206 seats in 2009, fell to 44 seats in 2014 before recovering to 99 seats in 2024. How India’s map turned saffron in 12 yearsDuring the last 12 years, the BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has transformed India’s political map, evolving from a party largely concentrated in the Hindi heartland into one with a presence across much of the country. When PM Modi first took office in 2014, the BJP was in power in just seven states. Today, the party and its allies govern 22 states and Union territories. The party formed governments in states where it previously had little or no presence and strengthened its position in several existing strongholds. The expansion also came at a time when Congress’ footprint in the states continued to shrink, reducing its presence largely to a handful of states and coalition governments.Expanding beyond traditional strongholdsWhile the BJP increased its footprint across the country, the party’s gains were particularly visible along the eastern coast. In 2024, it captured power in Odisha for the first time unseating the Biju Janata Dal after 24 years in power. Two years later, it secured a historic victory in West Bengal, another state where it had never previously formed a government. Some of the BJP’s most significant gains came outside the Hindi heartland. In the Northeast, the party expanded from a limited presence to become a key political player, forming governments in Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur while participating in ruling alliances in Meghalaya and Nagaland. From seven states in 2014 to a presence across much of the country, the BJP’s expansion extended beyond its traditional strongholds.The BJP’s winning march saw the party become the dominant player in states like Maharashtra and Bihar, transforming from playing second fiddle to the regional allies for years. In both these states, the BJP was the junior partner of the regional allies – Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) in Bihar. But that has now changed for good. Today, the saffron party rules both the states and it is the regional allies that are the junior partners.Expanding popularity with votersThe numbers in legislatures were a natural fallout of the party’s increasing popularity with the voters. The BJP’s vote share in Lok Sabha and also several states where it formed governments saw a steady rise. The world’s largest political partyThe BJP’s rise under Narendra Modi has not been confined to elections. Over the past decade, the party has also expanded its organisational base, becoming the world’s largest political party. The BJP first claimed the distinction in 2015 after overtaking the Chinese Communist Party in membership numbers, and subsequent membership drives have further widened the gap.According to figures cited by BJP leaders in 2025, the party has around 14 crore (140 million) members, compared with about 10 crore members of the Chinese Communist Party. The BJP’s membership base is also substantially larger than that of most major political parties in democracies, including the US Democratic and Republican parties. Global approval ratings: PM Modi is No. 1Now, such popularity at home cannot go unnoticed across the globe, especially at a time when most of the global leaders, except Xi Jingping in China and President Vladimir Putin in Russia, crumbled under pressure and also the weight of expectations in their countries. Prime Minister Modi’s approval ratings did not just soar with his tenure, but has stayed at the top for years.According to Morning Consult’s Global Leader Approval Rating Tracker, PM Modi had an approval rating of 70% as of April 2026, the highest among the world leaders tracked by the firm. Per capita income of the countryIndia’s per capita income has risen significantly over the past four decades, increasing from about $271 in 1980 to an estimated $2,812 in 2026, according to IMF data. The sharpest rise came after the economic reforms launched by the PV Narasimha Rao government in 1991. Income levels continued to rise during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi governments, alongside sustained economic growth and increasing integration with global markets.The numbers also reflect the impact of major economic disruptions in the last decade. Per capita income declined during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 before recovering in subsequent years as economic activity resumed and growth rebounded. Since 2014, India’s per capita income has increased from about $1,567 to an estimated $2,812 in 2026. The rise broadly mirrors the growth of the overall economy, which has expanded from roughly $2 trillion in 2014 to a projected $4 trillion-plus in 2026.A $4 trillion economy soonIndia’s nominal GDP has grown from about $2.02 trillion in 2014 to an estimated $4.15 trillion in 2026, according to IMF projections. The expansion has been driven by a combination of domestic consumption, investment, growth in the services sector and government spending on infrastructure.The growth trajectory was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to a contraction in economic activity in 2020 before the economy rebounded in subsequent years. Based on current projections, India is expected to cross the $4 trillion mark during PM Modi’s third term and remain among the world’s fastest-growing major economies. However, the outlook remains tied to global developments. Economists and ratings agencies have flagged risks from the ongoing conflict in West Asia, particularly through higher crude oil prices, inflationary pressures and a larger import bill for an oil-dependent economy like India. While growth has remained resilient, the sustainability of that momentum will depend on how these external pressures evolve.When can India become a $5 trillion economy?The idea of India becoming a $5 trillion economy entered the conversation in 2019. Presenting the Union Budget that year, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India was “on the path of achieving the Prime Minister’s vision of a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly described the target as a key milestone in India’s growth journey.The timeline, however, was disrupted by a combination of factors. The Covid-19 pandemic triggered a sharp economic contraction in 2020, while the rupee’s steady depreciation against the US dollar reduced the size of India’s economy when measured in dollar terms. As a result, even though GDP expanded significantly in rupee terms, the economy remained short of the $5 trillion mark. The $5 trillion questionAccording to IMF projections, India’s nominal GDP is expected to reach about $4.15 trillion in 2026. Most estimates now place the $5 trillion milestone around 2028-29. Projections based on IMF data suggest the economy could approach $5 trillion by 2027-28 before crossing the mark the following year. At the end of this decade, India is likely to become the third largest economy, although the timeline will depend on economic growth, the rupee’s exchange rate and global conditions.More than six decades after Nehru’s death, the record for India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister has changed hands. Whether PM Modi’s tenure eventually matches Nehru’s overall time in office remains to be seen, but the milestone does mark the end of one chapter in and the beginning of another.Read the latest news on the go. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPriyanka MukherjeePriyanka Mukherjee is an Assistant News Editor at The Times of India, where deadlines rarely slow down. Often juggling breaking news, long-form explainers and the everyday chaos of the newsroom, she is usually managing stress, chasing clarity and trying to log off on time (rarely successful). She also cares deeply about stories around women’s rights and social change, while two very opinionated dogs make sure she never truly switches off.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC Faces Fresh Rebellion As MPs Cozy Up To NDA, Shatrughan Sinha’s Silence Raises QuestionsDelhi Races Against Monsoon: 70% Drain Desilting Completed, June 15 Deadline SetFlying Could Cost More As Government-Backed ATF Price Hike Raises Airline Operating CostsIndus Waters Treaty In Abeyance: Centre Says Pakistan Won’t Get ‘A Single Drop’ Of WaterMamata Banerjee’s Rare Meeting With Sonia Gandhi Sparks Speculation Of Opposition RealignmentIndia’s Nuclear Posture Shifts As SIPRI Flags Deployment Of 12 Warheads | WatchCongress Alleges EC Blocked Delegation Amid Meenakshi Natarajan Rajya Sabha Nomination Row | WatchCongress Candidate Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha Nomination Rejected In MPCID Searches TMC Offices In Kolkata As Abhishek Faces Third Summons In Signature Forgery ProbeHorse-Trading Fears Trigger Congress Move As MP MLAs Fly To Bengaluru Before Voting123PhotostoriesThis day, that year: From Bonnie and Clyde’s devastating crash to Spirit Rover’s Mars journey — How June 10 shaped the worldHanging baskets turning thin: 7 Smart care tips to keep them overflowing with flowersThe best places to retire in India: Affordable, peaceful, and senior-friendlyKangana Ranaut channels her inner Marathi mulgi in a stunning Paithani sareeHeatwave intensifying every year: 6 effective home cooling elements that help reduce indoor heat without heavy AC useDiscover the best temple for wish fulfillment according to your birth date10 baby names that feel cool, creative, and effortlessly trendyThe ancient origins and history of Payal: How anklets became a symbol of Indian traditionFrom growing up amid curfews in Kashmir to earning Rs 2.5 lakh a day: When Aly Goni spoke about his struggles and journey in TV IndustryThis bridge in New York once hosted 21 elephants; 5 interesting things to know123Hot PicksSourth Africa ShootingBharathirajaDelhi hotel fireAshok MuralidaranFIFA World Cup ScheduleKarnataka Trader NewsHector PennKerala Plus One ResultTNEA Random NumberTop TrendingBAN vs AUS Live ScoreUS Iran warGold Rate TodayFIFA World Cup 2026Delhi Hotel FireChennai TNSTC BusMeerut Conversion CaseBareilly NewsFilmmaker Bharathiraja DeathKarnataka Murder

Vamsikrishna09 mins mins

Narendra Modi is now India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister. ‘Modi hai to Mumkin hai’, a popular catchphrase that has become synonymous with the BJP-led NDA government over the years. Indeed, this idea of “achieving the impossible” has often been projected as a hallmark of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12-year-long tenure at the helm. But even…

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