Exit polls show Modi set to return to power in India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to return to power with an even bigger majority in parliament, exit polls showed.

It predicted a clear majority again in the 543-member Lok Sabha for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

While the India Today-Axis exit poll gave the highest number of seats - 339-365 - to the NDA, the Neta/NewsX poll pegged the numbers of the BJP-led alliance at 242 seats - 30 short of the half-way mark.

More than 8,000 candidates contested for a total of 543 seats in the elections that spread across seven phases, with official results set to be declared on May 23.