Dr. Manmohan Singh (1932 – 2024)



D
r. Manmohan Singh, the first Sikh Prime Minister of India, passed away at the age of 92 on December 26, 2024, leaving behind an indelible mark on the nation's political, economic, and social landscape.

 Renowned for his quiet, pragmatic leadership and visionary economic reforms, Dr. Singh played a pivotal role in shaping India’s modern economic trajectory. 

He is best remembered as the architect of India’s economic liberalization in the 1990s, steering the country through a critical period of financial crisis and later leading India as Prime Minister for two terms from 2004 to 2014.

For those preparing for Kerala PSC exams, understanding the transformative role Dr. Singh played in India’s growth is essential. 

Let's take a comprehensive look at the life and times of Dr. Manmohan Singh, one of the most influential leaders in modern Indian history.


Early Life and Education


Dr. Manmohan Singh was born on September 26, 1932, in Gah, Punjab (now in Pakistan), into a modest Sikh family. After India’s partition in 1947, his family migrated to Amritsar, Punjab, where he continued his studies.

He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Panjab University and went on to earn a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge. 

His academic prowess was further highlighted when he earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Oxford University, where his research on international trade gained international recognition.

Dr. Singh’s academic journey was the foundation for his later contributions as an economist and policymaker.

Although India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, offered a position in the government to Dr. Singh in 1962, an apolitical Dr. Singh politely declined the offer and he went on to presume his teaching career.

In 1963, he began his teaching career as a Professor of Economics at Punjab University. 

By 1966, he had become an honorary professor, and, in 1969, he joined the Delhi School of Economics as a Professor of International Trade. 

Between 1966 and 1969, Dr. Singh worked with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), gaining international exposure that would significantly influence his future policy approach, making him one of India’s most respected economists.



Career Journey & Political Rise


Dr. Manmohan Singh’s entry into public service began in 1971 when he became an Economic Advisor to the Ministry of Commerce. 

Over the next decades, his career progressed steadily:

  • 1971 – Economic Advisor to the commerce ministry.
  • 1972 – Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India.
  • 1976 – Secretary in the Finance ministry.
  • 1980 – Member of the Planning Commission.
  • 1982 – Governor of Reserve Bank of India
    • 2nd Governor of RBI to become Finance Minister, 1st CD Deshmukh.

100 Rupee Note signature Manmohan Singh


  • 1985 – Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.
  • 1987 – Secretary General of the South Commission, an independent economic policy think tank headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland
  • 1990 – Advisor to the Prime Minister of India (Chandra Shekar) on economic affairs.
  • 1991 – Chairman of UGC.

Dr. Manmohan Singh's appointment as Finance Minister in 1991 under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao marked a turning point in his political journey.

  • 1991 – Finance Minister.
    • 4th FM to become Prime Minister of India (Others: Morarji Desai, Charan Singh & VP Singh).
  • 1991 – First time elected to Rajya Sabha from the state of Assam.
    • represented Assam for five terms.
  • 1998 – Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha.
  • 2004 – Prime Minister of India (First Term)
    • 13th Prime Minister of India.
    • First Non-Hindu Prime Minister of India.
    • First Sikh Prime Minister of India.
    • First Prime Minister of India from a minority religion.
    • First Prime Minister of India since Nehru to be re-elected after completing a full five-year term
    • Fourth longest-serving prime minister after Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi & Narendra Modi.
  • 2009 – Prime Minister of India (Second Term)
  • 2019 – Re-elected to Rajya Sabha.
    • represented Rajasthan.



Key Initiatives & Achievements


As Finance Minister (1991-1996)


Economic Liberalization (1991): 


  • As Finance Minister, Dr. Singh’s policies liberalized the economy, moving it from a state-controlled system to a market-orientated one. These reforms included:
    • Dismantling the License Raj.
    • Encouraging foreign direct investment (FDI).
    • Introducing tax reforms and reducing fiscal deficits.


First Term (2004-2009)


  • Right to Information Act (2005): Strengthened democratic accountability
  • National Rural Health Mission (NRHM, 2005) 
  • Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA, 2005): Provided guaranteed employment to rural households.
  • Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005)
  • Right to Education Act (RTE, 2009)
  • Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT)
  • Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
  • Civil Nuclear Agreement with the United States (2008)
  • Chandrayaan-1 2008



Second Term (2009-2014)


  • National Solar Mission (NSM): January 11, 2010
    •  part of India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
    • Aim: to promote the use of solar energy in the country, boost solar power capacity, and make India a global leader in renewable energy.
  • National Knowledge Network (NKN)
    • National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT)
  • National Food Security Act (2013)
  • Aadhaar Project
  • Economic Growth: Under his leadership, India’s GDP grew significantly, contributing to the rise of the Indian middle class.
  • Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan): 2013
    • The first Asian country to reach Mars orbit and the first in the world to do so on its maiden attempt.
  • Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) 3D: 2013
  • Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (Land Acquisition Act)

The concept of Goods & Service Tax (GST) was introduced during the tenure of Dr. Manmohan Singh but was implemented later.



Challenges and Criticisms


Despite his monumental achievements, Dr. Singh’s tenure was not without its share of challenges and criticisms. 

His administration was often criticized for being passive in handling corruption scandals, including the Spectrum Allocation Scam (2G), Coal Scam (Coalgate), and the Commonwealth Games Scam. 

Additionally, some of the later years of his premiership were marred by economic slowdown, inflationary pressures, and political infighting.

However, his leadership during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis demonstrated his ability to guide the country through uncertain times. 

His calm demeanor and commitment to economic reform were widely acknowledged as central to India’s recovery during this period.


Awards and Honours


Dr. Manmohan Singh’s contributions were recognized both in India and internationally.

  • Padma Vibhushan (1987)
  • World Statesman Award (2010)
  • Order of King Abdulaziz (Saudi Arabia, 2010)
  • Order of the Paulownia Flowers (Japan, 2014)
  • Adam Smith Prize (1954)
  • Lokmanya Tilak Award (1997)
  • Outstanding Parliamentarian Award (2002)
  • Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award (1995)

He also received Honorary doctorates from prestigious institutions such as Cambridge, Oxford, and the University of Bologna and was recognized among the world’s most influential leaders by TIME magazine during his tenure as Prime Minister.


Books


  • Changing India
  • A Decade of Economic Reforms
  • India's Economic Reforms: An Agenda for the Future
  • Making Democracy Work for Pro-Poor Development
  • The Accidental Prime Minister (authored by Sanjaya Baru)


Memorable Quotes


  • "India is a rich country inhabited by very poor people." 
  • "Unity and secularism will be the motto of the government. We can't afford divisive polity in India."
  • "I would be the last person to say there is no scope for doing more." 
  • "I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media, or for that matter, the opposition parties in parliament."

Dr. Singh was known for his thoughtfulness and humility, but his statements often sparked controversy and debate, especially in his criticism of political opponents and key policies. 

  • On Narendra Modi and the 2002 Gujarat riots: "If you measure the strength of Prime Minister by presiding over a mass massacre of innocent citizens on the streets of Ahmedabad, then I do not believe in it."
  • On the Goods and Services Tax (GST): "GST is a twin blow to the economy."
  • On Demonetization: Dr. Singh strongly criticized the Modi government’s decision to demonetize ₹500 and ₹1,000 currency notes, describing it as "monumental mismanagement." He went further, calling it “a case of organised loot, legalised plunder of the common people.”


Conclusion:


Dr. Manmohan Singh’s passing marks the end of an era in Indian politics. 

His visionary leadership, dedication to economic reform, and commitment to India’s growth will continue to inspire generations to come. 

As the architect of India’s economic liberalization and a statesman who guided the nation through tumultuous times, Dr. Singh’s legacy is one of quiet determination and transformative leadership.


Thanks for reading!!!