# Morarji Desai

_Prime Minister of India from 1977 to 1979_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/morarji-desai
Last updated: 2026-10-07

> Morarji Ranchhodji Desai was an Indian politician and independence activist who served as the prime minister of India between 1977 and 1979 leading the government formed by the Janata Party. During his long career in politics, he held many important posts in government such as the chief minister of Bombay State, the home minister, the finance minister, and the deputy prime minister.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 29 February 1896 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q218661#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Valsad district ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q218661#P19))
- **Died:** 10 April 1995 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q218661#P570))
- **Place of death:** Mumbai ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q218661#P20))
- **Occupation:** politician; peace activist; badminton executive and administrator ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q218661#P106))
- **Political party:** Janata Party (since 1969); Indian National Congress ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q218661#P102))
- **Education:** Wilson College, Mumbai ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q218661#P69))
- **Positions held:** Minister of Home Affairs (1 July 1978 – 28 July 1979); Prime Minister of India (24 March 1977 – 28 July 1979); Minister of Finance (13 March 1967 – 16 July 1969); Deputy Prime Minister of India (13 March 1967 – 16 July 1969); Prime Minister of the State of Bombay (1952–1956); Member of the Lok Sabha ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q218661#P39))
- **Awards:** Bharat Ratna ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q218661#P166))

## Questions

**When was Morarji Desai born?**  
Morarji Desai was born on 29 February 1896 in Valsad district.

**What positions has Morarji Desai held?**  
Positions held by Morarji Desai include: Minister of Home Affairs (1978–1979); Prime Minister of India (1977–1979); Minister of Finance (1967–1969); Deputy Prime Minister of India (1967–1969); Prime Minister of the State of Bombay (1952–1956).

**Where did Morarji Desai study?**  
Morarji Desai was educated at Wilson College, Mumbai.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Morarji Desai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morarji_Desai) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikipedia (Nepali): मोरारजी देसाई](https://ne.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%80_%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%88) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q218661](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q218661) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Morarji Desai During his visit to the United States of America (cropped).jpg by US EMBASSY NEW DELHI (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Morarji_Desai_During_his_visit_to_the_United_States_of_America_(cropped).jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Morarji Desai, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Morarji Desai During his visit to the United States of America (cropped).jpg — US EMBASSY NEW DELHI, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Morarji Desai". DigiNepal. Last updated 7 October 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/morarji-desai. Retrieved 21 October 2026.