During the 1960 s, African American voting rights received increased protection. The Civil Rights Act of 1960 provided for the appointment of referees to help African Americans register to vote. The 24th Amendment, adopted in 1964, barred poll taxes in federal elections.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the first and longest-serving Prime Minister of India, from 1947 until 1964.
Nirmala Sitharaman is the first female politician to serve as the Defence Minister of India. She was appointed the ministery post the cabinet reshuffle of Modi government on September 3, 2017. Prior to this Sitharaman has served as a Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs under the Ministry of Finance and the Minister for Commerce and Industry with independent charge.