In a landmark moment for Indian politics, Amit Shah has become the country’s longest-serving Union Minister of Home Affairs, overtaking the previous record held by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart Lal Krishna Advani. As of August 5, 2025, Shah eclipsed Advani’s tenure—marking 2,258 days in the pivotal role and solidifying his legacy as one of the most influential architects of India’s contemporary internal security and legislative reforms.
Breaking the Record
Duration in Office: Amit Shah assumed office as Union Home Minister on May 30, 2019. As of August 5, 2025, he has served continuously—with a brief reappointment following the 2024 general elections—amassing 2,258 days (over six years and 65 days) in charge. He surpassed Advani’s tenure of 2,256 days, set between 1998 and 2004.
A Symbolic Milestone: Appropriately, Shah achieved this milestone on the anniversary of the historic abrogation of Article 370—a move he personally championed in 2019, forever altering India’s constitutional and geopolitical landscape.
Major Achievements During Shah’s Tenure
1. Abrogation of Article 370
One of the most consequential decisions under Shah’s leadership was the voiding of Article 370, ending the special status of Jammu & Kashmir and integrating it fully into India. This move, long advocated by the BJP, resulted in the bifurcation of the former state into the union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
2. Crackdown on Insurgency and Terrorism
Shah’s “zero tolerance” policy toward terrorism, left-wing extremism, and insurgency produced notable results:
Naxal Violence: Deaths from Naxal-related violence plunged from 5,225 between 2009–2014 to under 600 between 2019–2024, with a 56% reduction in security personnel casualties and historically low attack rates in affected regions.
Kashmir Security: A 70% drop in terror-related deaths in Jammu and Kashmir reinforced the government’s claim of restored normalcy. Incidents of stone pelting dramatically reduced, enabling record tourist arrivals and economic revival in the Valley.
Northeast Peace Accords: Multiple peace agreements with militant groups in the northeast have helped resolve decades-old insurgencies, boosting political stability and economic development in the region.
3. Landmark Legislative Reforms
Shah’s Home Ministry was marked by sweeping changes to India’s criminal justice system:
The introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023 replaced colonial-era criminal statutes—the IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act.
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), a core BJP promise, was passed and implemented under Shah’s watch, granting citizenship to persecuted minorities from neighboring countries.
Abolition of triple talaq and a legislative push toward a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) underscored the government’s reformist zeal.
4. Strengthening Disaster Management and Policing
Under Shah, the Ministry invested ₹8,200 crore in police modernization between 2019–2024, rolling out new technology for law enforcement agencies.
Disaster management reform, with a comprehensive new approach, improved the National Disaster Response Force’s efficiency and public trust.
5. Other Key Initiatives
Shah was the inaugural Minister of Cooperation, overseeing modernization and expanded credit lines for rural and cooperative banks, furthering the government’s mission of “Sahakar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation).
His ministry sharply increased seizure and prosecution in narcotics cases, leveraging technology-driven investigations to combat drug trafficking.
Challenging Issues
Despite his successes, certain challenges have continued during Shah’s tenure. The ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur since May 2023 remains an urgent internal security concern requiring persistent attention and diplomatic sensitivity.
Political Impact and Legacy
Shah’s record-breaking tenure is credited not only for bold and controversial moves but also for transforming the country’s approach to internal security, law, and order. His close relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, formidable organizational acumen, and hands-on style have won him accolades as “India’s second most powerful man”—making him pivotal to both the BJP’s rise and the NDA government’s policy achievements.
Reactions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders welcomed Shah’s achievement. Modi praised Shah at a recent NDA meeting, describing him as a critical pillar of the government and the party’s vision for a strong and unified India.
Conclusion
Amit Shah’s entry into the record books as India’s longest-serving Union Home Minister is a testament to his enduring political influence, legislative activism, and ability to effect transformative change in key areas of national importance. As he continues in his pivotal role, his impact on internal security, legal reform, and national integration will define Indian governance for years to come.
Sources: Economic Times, Moneycontrol, India Today, Mathrubhumi, Devdiscourse, The Statesman, ANI, India, Official Ministry & personal website: Nine Years of Achievements—Ministry of Home Affairs
