Dr. Manmohan Singh passed away recently at the age of 92. He was a distinguished economist, visionary leader, and former Prime Minister of India, who passed away at the age of 92. He was well known for introducing economic reforms in 1991 when India was on the verge of economic collapse, with foreign exchange reserves sufficient to cover only a few weeks of essential imports. 

Ex PM Manmohan Singh Passes Away

Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, a renowned economist and statesman, passed away on December 26, 2024, at the age of 92 in New Delhi. He served as India’s PM from 2004 to 2014, leading two terms of the Congress-led UPA government. Dr. Singh was instrumental in shaping India’s economic reforms as Finance Minister in 1991 under P.V. Narasimha Rao, setting the foundation for the nation’s growth trajectory. Known for his humility and unblemished political career, he left an indelible mark on Indian politics and governance. He is survived by his wife, Gursharan Kaur, and three daughters. Tributes poured in from leaders across the nation, with a seven-day mourning declared in his honor.

Dr. Manmohan Singh Biography

Early Life of Dr. Manmohan Singh

Dr. Manmohan Singh reveals his journey from a modest background to Finance Minister of India and acquired global prominence. 

• Dr Manmohan Singh was born in 1932 in Gah, now in Pakistan, his early education was marked by brilliance.

Dr. Manmohan Singh’s Personal Life 

Manmohan Singh is married to Gursharan Kaur and has three daughters. He is very humble in his nature and scholarly in his approach to governance. Even though he has left office, Singh remains an influential figure in Indian politics. His one daughter, Upinder Singh is a renowned historian and writer of Indian History.

Education of Dr. Manmohan Singh

Dr. Manmohan’s Education includes various degrees from various Indian institutes and various international universities.

• After the partition of India, Dr. Manmohan migrated to India and completed his Matriculation examinations at the Punjab University in 1948. His academic career took him from Punjab to the University of Cambridge, UK, where he earned a First Class Honours degree in Economics in 1957. 
• Dr. Manmohan Singh followed this with a D. Phil in Economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University in 1962.
• His early career entailed teaching at Punjab University, the Delhi School of Economics, and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Dr. Manmohan Singh’s Political Career and Contributions

Dr. Manmohan Singh political career was marked by his economic reforms and leadership during a transformative period for India. His tenure as Prime Minister saw significant growth and enhanced India’s global stature. Here are some its contribution to India’s growth:

• • 1971: Joined the Government of India as an Economic Advisor in the Commerce Ministry.
  • 1972: Promoted to Chief Economic Advisor in the Finance Ministry.
  • 1987-1990: Appointed Secretary General of the South Commission in Geneva after a brief stint at the UNCTAD Secretariat.
  • Held several key positions, including:
    • Secretary in the Finance Ministry.
    • Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.
    • Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.
    • Advisor to the Prime Minister.
    • Chairman of the University Grants Commission.
  • 1991-Present: Member of the Rajya Sabha; served as Leader of the Opposition from 1998-2004.

• 1991-1996: Dr. Manmohan Singh spent five years between 1991 and 1996 as India’s Finance Minister. 

• 2004-2014: Served as the 14th Prime Minister of India following the Congress Party’s victories in 2004 and 2009.
• Under his leadership, India experienced remarkable economic growth and strengthened its global standing.
• As a member of Dr. Manmohan Singh’s political party, the Indian National Congress, he served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014. 
  • India witnessed remarkable economic growth during his tenure and strengthened its global standing.

Key Achievements and Policies by Dr Manmohan Singh

• Dr. Manmohan Singh’s achievements include initiating economic reforms in 1991, transforming India into a market-driven economy.
• Dr. Manmohan Singh’s work for India as Prime Minister include the enactment of policies like the Right to Information Act and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, reflecting his commitment to inclusive development.
• His pivotal role in the India-US Nuclear Deal underscored his vision for India’s energy security and global partnerships.

Awards and Global Recognition

Dr. Manmohan Singh’s commitment to development and his many achievements have been recognized through the many honours that have been conferred upon him. Dr. Manmohan Singh’s awards include numerous national and international honors. Some are as follows:

• 1955: Wright’s Prize for Distinguished Performance at St. John’s College, Cambridge
• 1956: Adam Smith Prize, University of Cambridge
• 1993-1994: Asia Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year
• 1993: Euro Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year
• 1995: Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award, Indian Science Congress
• 1987: Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour
• Dr. Singh has also been honored by various associations, including the Japanese Nihon Keizai Shimbun, and has received honorary degrees from prestigious universities like Cambridge and Oxford.

Leadership and Governance

• As a leader, Dr. Singh’s tenure was characterized by integrity, humility, and a focus on consensus-building.
• His ability to navigate challenges while maintaining a non-confrontational approach highlighted his unique style of governance.
• Dr. Singh has represented India at many international conferences and in several international organizations. He has led Indian Delegations to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Cyprus (1993) and to the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993.

Dr Manmohan Singh FAQs