List of India's Longest-Serving Home Ministers

On August 6, 2025, Amit Shah became the longest-serving Home Minister of India, surpassing a major political milestone that places him above his predecessors in terms of tenure. Known for his bold decision-making, Shah’s extended stay in office reflects a period of decisive internal security and political consolidation in the country.

His tenure has seen key developments such as the revocation of Jammu & Kashmir’s special status, the introduction of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, a crackdown on Maoist insurgency, and the enactment of landmark criminal law reforms. These actions have made him one of the most influential figures to ever hold the home ministry portfolio.

Top 10 Longest-Serving Home Ministers of India

Here’s a look at the ten Home Ministers who held the position the longest, shaping India’s internal policies and governance over the decades:

Rank	Name	Tenure / Period in Office
1	Amit Shah	May 30, 2019 – Present (2,258+ days and counting)
2	L.K. Advani	March 19, 1998 – May 22, 2004 (2,256 days)
3	Govind Ballabh Pant	January 10, 1955 – March 1961 (approx. 6 years)
4	Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel	August 15, 1947 – December 12, 1950
5	Yashwantrao Chavan	November 14, 1966 – June 1970 (approx. 3.5 years)
6	Lal Bahadur Shastri	April 4, 1961 – August 29, 1963
7	Indira Gandhi	June 27, 1970 – February 4, 1973
8	Kailash Nath Katju	November 5, 1951 – January 10, 1955
9	C. Rajagopalachari	December 26, 1950 – October 25, 1951
10	Gulzarilal Nanda	August 29, 1963 – November 14, 1966

The Significance of the Home Ministry

The Ministry of Home Affairs is one of the most powerful portfolios in the Indian government. Tasked with maintaining internal security, public order, and overseeing important matters like law enforcement and disaster management, the role of the Home Minister is central to national governance.

Over the years, individuals who have held this post have dealt with challenges ranging from communal unrest and border issues to constitutional changes and counter-insurgency operations. A long tenure in this role often signals not just political stability but also trust from the Prime Minister and the ruling party.