40 Facts About Manmohan Singh

Early Life and Education

Manmohan Singh's journey from a small village in Punjab to the highest office in India is nothing short of remarkable. His early life and education laid the foundation for his future achievements.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born on September 26, 1932, in Gah, Punjab, British India (now in Pakistan), Singh's early years were marked by personal loss and resilience. His mother passed away when he was very young, and he was raised by his paternal grandmother, Jamna Devi.

2. Family Background: Singh's family belonged to Punjabi Sikh traders of Khatri background. His early schooling was in Urdu medium until the age of 10, after which he was enrolled in an upper-primary school in Peshawar.

3. Migration to India: The Partition of India in 1947 forced Singh's family to migrate to India. They first settled in Haldwani and later moved to Amritsar in 1948.

4. Education: Singh completed his matriculation from Punjab University in 1948. He then pursued his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Economics from Punjab University, graduating in 1952 and 1954, respectively.

5. Cambridge and Oxford: Singh moved to England to complete his Honours degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge, earning a First Class Honours degree in 1957. He later pursued a Doctorate in Philosophy (D.Phil) in Economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University, completing it in 1962.

Academic and Early Career

Manmohan Singh's academic brilliance and early career choices set him on a path to becoming one of India's foremost economists and policymakers.

6. Academic Career: After completing his D.Phil., Singh returned to Punjab University as a professor of Economics. He also taught at the Delhi School of Economics and had a brief stint at the UNCTAD Secretariat.

7. International Perspective: His time at Oxford provided him with an international perspective on economic policies and theory, which significantly influenced his future work in India.

8. UN Career: Singh worked for the United Nations during 1966–1969. This experience further honed his skills in international economics and policy-making.

9. Government Career: In 1971, Singh joined the Government of India as Economic Advisor in the Commerce Ministry. He later became the Chief Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance in 1972.

10. Key Government Positions: Among his many governmental positions were Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Advisor to the Prime Minister, and Chairman of the University Grants Commission.

Finance Minister and Economic Reforms

Manmohan Singh's tenure as Finance Minister marked a turning point in India's economic history. His reforms in the early 1990s are credited with transforming the Indian economy.

11. Finance Minister: In 1991, as India faced a severe economic crisis, Singh was appointed Finance Minister by Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao. He played a crucial role in ushering in comprehensive economic reforms that liberalized India's economy.

12. Economic Reforms: Singh's tenure as Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996 is recognized worldwide for its significant impact on India's economy. His reforms included reducing tariffs, promoting foreign investment, and liberalizing trade policies.

13. Asia Money Award: During his tenure as Finance Minister, Singh received the Asia Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year in 1993 and 1994.

14. Euro Money Award: He also received the Euro Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year in 1993.

15. Adam Smith Prize: Singh was awarded the Adam Smith Prize of the University of Cambridge in 1956 for his outstanding performance in economics.

16. Wright’s Prize: He received the Wright’s Prize for Distinguished Performance at St. John’s College in Cambridge in 1955.

Prime Minister of India

Manmohan Singh's tenure as Prime Minister saw significant legislative and economic initiatives. His leadership during this period left a lasting impact on the nation.

17. Prime Minister: In 2004, after the Indian National Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) came to power, Sonia Gandhi unexpectedly relinquished the prime ministership to Singh. He took the oath as the Prime Minister of India on May 22, 2004.

18. First Sikh Prime Minister: Singh became the first Sikh Prime Minister of India, a significant milestone in Indian politics.

19. First Re-elected Prime Minister: He was the first prime minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to be re-elected after completing a full five-year term in 2009.

20. National Rural Health Mission: During his first term, Singh's government executed several key legislations and projects, including the National Rural Health Mission, Unique Identification Authority, Rural Employment Guarantee scheme, and Right to Information Act.

21. Civil Nuclear Agreement: In 2008, opposition to a historic civil nuclear agreement with the United States nearly caused Singh's government to fall after Left Front parties withdrew their support.

22. BRICS Establishment: In 2009, BRICS was established with India as one of the founding members during Singh's tenure.

23. Economic Growth: India's economy grew rapidly during his term, with significant improvements in GDP and economic indicators.

24. Second Term: Singh was sworn in for a second term as Prime Minister on May 22, 2009, after the UPA returned with an increased mandate in the 2009 general election.

Later Life and Legacy

Even after stepping down from active politics, Manmohan Singh's influence and contributions continue to be recognized and respected.

25. Retirement from Politics: After his term ended in 2014, Singh opted out of the race for the office of Prime Minister during the 2014 Indian general election.

26. Rajya Sabha Member (Continued): Despite retiring from active politics, Singh continued to serve as a member of the Rajya Sabha, representing the state of Assam from 1991 to 2019 and Rajasthan from 2019 to 2024.

27. Personal Life: Singh is married to Gursharan Kaur, and they have three daughters. He is known for his unassuming demeanor and accessibility, which earned him respect across the political spectrum.

28. Padma Vibhushan: Singh was awarded India’s second-highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan, in 1987 for his contributions to economics and public service.

29. Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award: He received the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress in 1995 for his outstanding contributions to science and technology.

30. Books and Publications: Singh has authored several books, including “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth,” which was an early critique of India’s inward-oriented trade policy.

31. Media Advisor: Sanjaya Baru, in his memoir “The Accidental Prime Minister,” highlighted Singh’s subservience to Sonia Gandhi, suggesting that significant power was wielded by the Congress party's president during his tenure.

32. Legacy: Singh's legacy is marked by his role in steering India away from a state-controlled economy towards a more market-oriented approach. His reforms not only rescued India from economic collapse but also laid the foundation for sustained growth and increased global integration.

33. Entrepreneurial Culture: The entrepreneurial culture fostered during his tenure has led to a vibrant economy with a burgeoning middle class and increased consumerism.

34. Global Recognition: Singh's reputation as a leading reform-minded economist was globally recognized, enhancing India's economic standing on the world stage.

35. Awards and Honors: In addition to the Padma Vibhushan, Singh has received numerous other awards and honors for his contributions to economics and public service, including the Asia Money Award and the Euro Money Award.

36. International Delegations: He has led Indian delegations to several international conferences, showcasing India's commitment to global economic cooperation and development.

37. Respect and Admiration: Despite controversies and challenges, Singh is remembered for his diligence, academic approach to work, and unassuming demeanor, earning him respect and admiration from across the political spectrum.

38. Continued Influence: Singh's policies and reforms continue to influence India's economic strategies and policies, ensuring his legacy endures.

39. Public Speaking: Known for his soft-spoken nature, Singh's speeches often reflected his deep understanding of economics and his vision for India's future.

40. Mentorship: Throughout his career, Singh mentored many young economists and policymakers, leaving a lasting impact on India's economic landscape.

Manmohan Singh's Lasting Impact

Manmohan Singh's journey from a small village in Punjab to becoming India's 14th Prime Minister is nothing short of remarkable. His academic brilliance, combined with his dedication to public service, transformed India's economic landscape. As Finance Minister, he introduced reforms that opened up the Indian economy, setting the stage for rapid growth. His tenure as Prime Minister saw significant initiatives like the National Rural Health Mission and the Right to Information Act, which have had lasting impacts on Indian society.

Singh's legacy is not just about economic reforms but also about his integrity, humility, and commitment to the nation. Despite facing numerous challenges, he remained a respected figure across the political spectrum. His contributions continue to influence India's policies and development, making him one of the most influential leaders in modern Indian history.