24 March – The first non-Congress government sweeps to power following Indira Gandhi's defeat at the general elections. Morarji Desai becomes prime minister.[6]
27 May - 11 villagers of Belchi, Bihar (includes 8 Dalits and 3 Sunar) were brutally murdered by terror gang from Kurmi/Bhumihar caste as part of caste violence.[7]
20 November – More than 10,000 people die when the 1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone hits India's southeast coast. The storm disrupts life for 5.4 million people in 830 villages, and damages 14,000 km2 of cropland.[9]