Narendra Modi takes oath as India's 16th prime minister, enters third term in a row

In the twilight hours of the national capital, India got its 16th prime minister when Narendra Modi was administered the oath of office and secrecy by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday (June 9).

Along with Modi, 71 cabinet ministers were also sworn in during the grand oath-taking ceremony. As Modi took the oath,the crowds chanted "Modi Modi".

After taking the oath, PM Modi became the second person in the history of India to hold the office of the prime minister for three successive terms. Jawaharlal Nehru, who was the first prime minister of the country, had clinched victory in the 1952, 1957 and 1962 general elections.

The BJP-led NDA government, after clinching a clear majority in Lok Sabha elections 2024, made decisions regarding the distribution of portfolios in the new cabinet in a marathon 11-hour meeting held at the Prime Minister's residence on June 8 (Saturday).

The meeting was attended by BJP leaders Amit Shah, JP Nadda and the party's national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh.

World leaders gather to witness India's history in making

The grand oath-taking ceremony, which was organised at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, also saw the presence of several foreign leaders and dignitaries.

The event was attended by Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay and Seychelles Vice-President Ahmed Afif.

Watch:PM Modi Oath ceremony: From Nehru To Narendra Modi, A look at India's longest-serving PMs

Across the national capital, the security was strengthened and prohibitory orders were imposed. Delhi was declared a no-fly zone and three-layered security was implemented both inside and outside the premises of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The president's house remained blanketed by five companies of paramilitary personnel, NSG commandoes, drones and snipers. Traffic restrictions were also applicable on various roads, especially those which ran around the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

In the Lok Sabha elections, the NDA won 293 of 543 seats, easily passing the majority mark of 272. The INDIA alliance gavea strong fight and managed to win 232 constituencies.

(With inputs from agencies)