Why this matters now
Morarji Desai is tested for: leading the Janata Party (formed January 1977 merging Congress(O), BLD, Jana Sangh, Socialist Party, CFD); the 44th Constitutional Amendment 1978 (reversed Emergency-era 42nd Amendment); being the only Indian to receive both the Bharat Ratna (1991) and Pakistan’s Nishan-e-Pakistan (1990); and the post-Emergency restoration of democracy.
Early life: a long Congress career
Born on 29 February 1896 (leap day) at Bhadeli village, Bulsar district, Bombay Presidency (Gujarat). ICS-aspirant educated at Wilson College Bombay (BSc 1918), then Bombay Presidency civil service (Deputy Collector 1918-30). Resigned 1930 to join Mahatma Gandhi’s Civil Disobedience Movement — arrested 6 times. Bombay revenue minister 1937-39 (Congress Ministry under B.G. Kher); Bombay Home minister 1946-52; Bombay Chief Minister 1952-56; Union Finance Minister twice (1958-63 + 1967-69 under Nehru and Indira).
Morarji split from Indira’s Congress in 1969 — aligning with Congress(O), Old Guard.
PM 24 March 1977 - 28 July 1979
Morarji led the Janata Party — formed in January 1977 from the merger of Congress(O), Bharatiya Lok Dal (BLD), Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Socialist Party, CFD (Congress for Democracy). Janata’s 295/542 seats was the first non-Congress majority.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| March 1977 | Sworn in 24 March 1977 at age 81. |
| April 1978 | 44th Constitutional Amendment — reversed key Emergency-era provisions of the 42nd Amendment 1976. Restored fundamental rights, judicial review, balance of power. |
| 1977-78 | Shah Commission of Inquiry into Emergency excesses (J.C. Shah, retd CJI). |
| 1978 | Janata Party’s dual-membership crisis — Jana Sangh members’ RSS links opposed by socialists. |
| July 1979 | Charan Singh quits as Deputy PM. Morarji resigns 28 July 1979 (avoided no-confidence motion). |
Legacy & honours
Janata collapsed after Morarji’s resignation — Charan Singh formed a Congress-backed govt that fell within months; January 1980 elections returned Indira. Morarji retired from politics in 1980.
Honours: Bharat Ratna 1991; Nishan-e-Pakistan 1990 (highest Pakistan civilian honour) — the only Indian to have received both. Notorious for his urine therapy advocacy (mentioned in his autobiography). Died 10 April 1995 at Bombay aged 99 — the longest-lived Indian PM. Total abstinence from alcohol (Gandhian) shaped his Prohibition policy.
UPSC angle
Know Morarji Desai (b. Bhadeli village Bulsar Gujarat 29 Feb 1896 leap day, d. Bombay 10 April 1995 aged 99 longest-lived PM) — Wilson College Bombay BSc 1918, Bombay civil service 1918-30, resigned 1930 join Civil Disobedience; Bombay Home Min 1946-52, BOMBAY CM 1952-56; UNION FINANCE MIN 1958-63 + 1967-69 (under Nehru + Indira); split 1969 to Congress(O); 4TH PM India 24 March 1977 - 28 July 1979 (FIRST NON-CONGRESS PM, OLDEST at 81); led JANATA PARTY formed Jan 1977 by merger Congress(O)+BLD+Bharatiya Jana Sangh+Socialist Party+CFD; 295/542 majority; 44TH CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT April 1978 reversed Emergency 42nd Amendment 1976; Shah Commission of Inquiry on Emergency (J.C. Shah retd CJI); Janata dual-membership crisis on Jana Sangh-RSS links; Charan Singh quit Deputy PM, Morarji resigned 28 July 1979; honours BHARAT RATNA 1991 + NISHAN-E-PAKISTAN 1990 ONLY INDIAN TO RECEIVE BOTH; advocated urine therapy in autobiography.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Morarji Desai significant?
He was the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India (1977-79) and led the Janata Party government formed after the Emergency.
What is the 44th Amendment?
Passed in 1978 under Morarji Desai — reversed key Emergency-era provisions of the 42nd Amendment (1976), restored fundamental rights and judicial review.
What is Nishan-e-Pakistan?
Pakistan’s highest civilian award. Morarji Desai received it in 1990 — the only Indian to ever receive both the Bharat Ratna and the Nishan-e-Pakistan.
How old was Morarji when he became PM?
81 years old — making him the oldest person ever sworn in as Indian PM. He retired in 1980 and died in 1995 at age 99.