The first was Vallabhbhai Patel of the Indian National Congress party, who was sworn in on 15 August 1947, when India gained independence from the British Raj.

Serving until his death in December 1950, Patel remains India's longest-serving deputy prime minister.

The post was vacant until Morarji Desai became the second deputy prime minister in 1967 and has the second-longest tenure.

Jagjivan Ram and Yashwantrao Chavan became deputy prime ministers consecutively without the break in different ministries.

Lal Krishna Advani was the seventh and last person to serve as the deputy prime minister of India until the post became vacant.