The next election that decides India's Prime Minister is the Lok Sabha general election due by mid-2029. Voting is expected in April–May 2029. No dates have been announced, and they normally are not until about six weeks before polling.
There is no separate "Prime Minister election"
Indians do not cast a vote for Prime Minister. Voters elect one Member of Parliament for their Lok Sabha constituency. The President then appoints as Prime Minister the leader who commands a majority in the Lok Sabha, under Article 75 of the Constitution. So the question "when is the next PM election" really means "when is the next Lok Sabha election".
Why 2029
A Lok Sabha lasts five years from the date of its first sitting unless it is dissolved earlier. The 18th Lok Sabha first met on 24 June 2024, so its term runs until June 2029. A new House has to be in place before that date.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Last general election | 19 April – 1 June 2024 (seven phases), results on 4 June 2024 |
| Current Prime Minister | Narendra Modi, sworn in for a third term on 9 June 2024 |
| Current Lok Sabha term ends | June 2029 |
| Next election expected | April–May 2029 |
| Seats | 543 elected seats |
| Majority needed | 272 |
Expected timeline for 2029
- Announcement: around March 2029. In 2024 the schedule was announced on 16 March.
- Model Code of Conduct: begins on the day of the announcement.
- Polling: in several phases over April and May. After the long, hot 2024 schedule the Election Commission indicated it would prefer to finish earlier in future.
- Counting and government formation: late May or early June 2029.
Could the election happen earlier?
Yes, in two situations: if the government loses its majority and no alternative can be formed, or if the Cabinet advises the President to dissolve the House early. Neither is on the table as of November 2026, so 2029 remains the working date.
Will the number of seats change before 2029?
For now the House stays at 543 seats. In April 2026 a constitutional amendment that would have raised the upper limit of the Lok Sabha to 850 seats and brought forward women's reservation did not get the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha, and the accompanying Delimitation Bill was withdrawn. The one-third reservation for women passed in 2023 remains tied to a delimitation after the next census, so it is not expected to apply in 2029 unless the law changes again.
How the Prime Minister is chosen after results
- The party or alliance with at least 272 MPs elects its leader.
- That leader stakes a claim before the President with letters of support.
- The President appoints the Prime Minister, who is sworn in with the Council of Ministers.
- If the majority is in doubt, the new government proves it on the floor of the Lok Sabha.
Elections before 2029
The road to 2029 runs through several state contests, starting with the seven assembly elections of 2027 and the Presidential election in July 2027.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next Prime Minister election in India?
The next Lok Sabha general election, which determines the Prime Minister, is due by June 2029 and is expected in April–May 2029.
Do citizens vote directly for the Prime Minister?
No. Citizens elect Lok Sabha MPs. The leader with majority support in the Lok Sabha is appointed Prime Minister by the President.
How many seats are needed to form the government?
272 of the 543 elected Lok Sabha seats.
Is there any limit on how many terms a Prime Minister can serve?
No. The Constitution sets no term limit for the Prime Minister.
Sources: Constitution of India (Articles 75 and 83), ECI term-of-houses data, 2024 general election schedule, PRS Legislative Research on the Delimitation Bill, 2026.