Manmohan Singh

For other people named Manmohan Singh, see Manmohan Singh (disambiguation).

Manmohan Singh
[[File:Official Portrait of the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh (3x4 cropped).jpg <!--Do NOT alter or remove this image. It was chosen through a discussion among editors. If you wish to propose a change, please start a new discussion to establish consensus.-->|frameless|alt=A portrait photograph of a bespectacled Indian man with a dark grey beard, a blue turban, and a white button-down suit with blurred background. <!--Do NOT alter or remove this image. It was chosen through a discussion among editors. If you wish to propose a change, please start a new discussion to establish consensus.-->|upright=1]] Official portrait, 2004 <!--Do NOT alter or remove this image. It was chosen through a discussion among editors. If you wish to propose a change, please start a new discussion to establish consensus.-->
<!-- Do NOT add counts or ordinals, as per WP:CONSENSUS --> [[<!-- Do NOT add counts or ordinals, as per WP:CONSENSUS -->Prime Minister of India]]
In office 22 May 2004 – 26 May 2014
President	A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Pratibha Patil Pranab Mukherjee
Vice President	Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Mohammad Hamid Ansari
Cabinet	Manmohan I Manmohan II
Preceded by	Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Succeeded by	Narendra Modi
Additional ministries <!-- Do NOT add counts or ordinals, as per WP:CONSENSUS --> In office 22 May 2004 – 26 May 2014 Ministry and Departments Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Atomic Energy Department of Space Planning Commission Preceded by L. K. Advani Atal Bihari Vajpayee Succeeded by Narendra Modi
<!-- Do NOT add counts or ordinals, as per WP:CONSENSUS --> [[<!-- Do NOT add counts or ordinals, as per WP:CONSENSUS -->Union Minister of Finance]]
In office 21 June 1991 – 16 May 1996
Prime Minister	P. V. Narasimha Rao
Preceded by	Yashwant Sinha
Succeeded by	Jaswant Singh
<!-- Do NOT add counts or ordinals, as per WP:CONSENSUS -->Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha
In office 21 March 1998 – 21 May 2004
Prime Minister	Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Chairman	Krishan Kant Bhairon Singh Shekhawat
Preceded by	Sikander Bakht
Succeeded by	Jaswant Singh
<!-- Do NOT add counts or ordinals, as per WP:CONSENSUS -->Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
In office 19 August 2019 – 3 April 2024
Preceded by	Madan Lal Saini
Succeeded by	Sonia Gandhi
Constituency	Rajasthan
In office 1 October 1991 – 14 June 2019
Preceded by	Amritlal Basumatary
Succeeded by	Kamakhya Prasad Tasa
Constituency	Assam
<!-- Do NOT add counts or ordinals, as per WP:CONSENSUS -->Governor of the Reserve Bank of India
In office 16 September 1982 – 14 January 1985
Preceded by	I. G. Patel
Succeeded by	Amitav Ghosh
Personal details
Born	(1932-09-26)26 September 1932 Gah, Punjab Province, British India
Died	26 December 2024(2024-12-26) (aged 92) New Delhi, Delhi, India
Nationality	Indian
Political party	Indian National Congress
Spouse(s)	Gursharan Kaur ( m. 1958)
Children	3 (including Upinder and Daman)
Alma mater	Template:Ubil
Profession	Economist academician bureaucrat statesman
Awards	List of awards and honours
Signature	Manmohan Singh

Manmohan Singh (26 September 1932 – 26 December 2024) was an Indian economist, bureaucrat, academician and statesman<ref>Bhattacherjee, Kallol (27 December 2024). "Manmohan an outstanding statesman, says Putin; Anwar terms him 'my mitra, my bhai'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2025.</ref> who served as the <!-- Do NOT add counts or ordinals, as per WP:CONSENSUS -->prime minister of India from 2004 to 2014. He was the fourth longest-serving prime minister after Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Narendra Modi.<ref>"'I have nothing to be ashamed of about my prime ministership': Dr Manmohan Singh on being called 'accidental PM'". Business Today. 26 December 2024. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref> A member of the Indian National Congress, Singh was the first and remains the only Sikh prime minister of India.<ref>"Manmohan Singh, Indian Premier Who Spurred Economic Boom, Dies at 92". The New York Times. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref> He was also the first prime minister since Nehru to be re-appointed after completing a full five-year term.<ref name=":2">Santos, Sofia Ferreira (28 December 2024). "Manmohan Singh: Former India PM mourned in state funeral". BBC. Archived from the original on 28 December 2024. Retrieved 31 December 2024.</ref><ref name=":3">Prabhu, Nagesh (27 December 2024). "Manmohan Singh - a hero of Indian middle class". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 31 December 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)</ref>

Born in Gah in what is today Pakistan, Singh's family migrated to India during its partition in 1947. After obtaining his doctorate in economics from the University of Oxford, Singh worked for the United Nations during 1966–1969. He subsequently began his bureaucratic career when Lalit Narayan Mishra hired him as an advisor in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. During the 1970s and 1980s, Singh held several key posts in the Government of India, such as Chief Economic Advisor (1972–1976), governor of the Reserve Bank (1982–1985) and head of the NITI Aayog (erstwhile, Planning Commission) (1985-1987)

In 1991, under prime minister, P. V. Narasimha Rao, Singh was appointed as finance minister. Over the next few years, despite strong opposition, he carried out several structural reforms that liberalised India's economy. It enhanced Singh's reputation globally as a leading reform-minded economist. Subsequently, Singh was leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of the Parliament of India) during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government of 1998–2004.

In 2004, when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) came to power, its chairperson Sonia Gandhi unexpectedly relinquished the prime ministership to Singh. His first ministry executed several key legislations and projects, including the National Rural Health Mission, Unique Identification Authority, Rural Employment Guarantee scheme and Right to Information Act. 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.<ref>Dasgupta, Debarshi (15 November 2024). "Former PM and nonagenarian leader Manmohan Singh emerges as flashpoint in Indian politics". The Straits Times. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref> The 2009 general election saw the UPA return with an increased mandate, with Singh retaining the office of prime minister. In 2009, BRICS was established with India as one of the founding members. His coalition's second term was marked by political scandals.<ref name="i727"/>

Singh opted out of the race for the office of prime minister during the 2014 Indian general election.<ref>Burke, Jason (3 January 2014). "India's Manmohan Singh to step down as PM". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2015.</ref> Singh served as a member of the Rajya Sabha, representing the state of Assam from 1991 to 2019 and Rajasthan from 2019 to 2024.<ref>"Congress to move Manmohan Singh from Assam". The Hindu. 15 May 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.</ref><ref>"Sonia Gandhi secures Rajya Sabha seat from Rajasthan unopposed". Mint. 20 February 2024. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.</ref>

Early life and education

Singh was born to Gurmukh Singh Kohli and Amrit Kaur on 26 September 1932, in Gah, Punjab, British India, into a family of Punjabi Sikh dried fruit traders of Khatri background.<ref name="Caravan_2011">Jose, Vinod K. (1 October 2011). "Manmohan Singh at the centre of the storm". The Caravan. Retrieved 26 December 2024. Singh was born in 1932 in a village called Gah, about 60 km south of what is now Islamabad; his family were Punjabi traders of the Khatri caste. His father, Gurmukh Singh Kohli, was a small-time dry fruits trader who bought wholesale stock from Afghanistan and resold it in smaller towns in the Punjab. Singh's mother, Amrit Kaur, died when he was only five months old, and he was raised largely by his paternal grandmother, Jamna Devi.</ref><ref name="dr mms">"Detailed Profile: Dr. Manmohan Singh". Archived from the original on 7 December 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2011.</ref> His mother died when he was very young.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0">"PM Manmohan Singh celebrates 77th birthday on board Aircraft". The Economic Times. 26 September 2009. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.</ref> He was raised by his paternal grandmother Jamna Devi, with whom he was very close.<ref name="Caravan_2011"/><ref name=":0" />

Singh was initially educated at a local gurdwara, where he began studying Urdu and Punjabi.<ref name="from_600">Goyal, Divya (28 December 2024). "From a village 600 km away in Pakistan, a last dua for 'Mohna', the boy who left during Partition". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.</ref> On 17 April 1937, he was enrolled in the local Government Primary School, where he continued his Urdu-medium education until the age of 10 (Class 4), after which he and his family moved to Peshawar.<ref name="Caravan_2011"/><ref name="from_600"/><ref>Chowdhury, Neerja (26 December 2024). "Manmohan Singh: The 'accidental PM' who proved, time and again, that he was no accident". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref> There, Singh was enrolled in the upper-primary Khalsa School.<ref name="from_600"/> He sat for his matriculation examination in the summer of 1947.<ref name="Caravan_2011"/> Even as prime minister years later, Singh wrote his apparently Hindi speeches in the Urdu script, although sometimes he would also use Gurmukhi, a script used to write Punjabi, his mother tongue.<ref>Rawat, Sudeep Singh (26 September 2024). "Happy Birthday Dr Manmohan Singh; PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi extend best wishes". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref>

After the Partition of India, his family migrated to Haldwani, India.<ref name=":1">Swamya, M.R. Narayan (2 July 2022). "Rajeev Shukla Does an Autopsy on What Politics Can Do When Injected With Religion". The Wire. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.</ref> In 1948 they relocated to Amritsar, where he studied at Hindu College, Amritsar.<ref name=":1" /><ref>"Manmohan Singh Visits Alma Mater In Amritsar, Remembers College Days". NDTV. PTI. 25 March 2018. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.</ref> He attended Panjab University, then in Hoshiarpur,<ref>"Government College, Hoshiarpur &#124; Colleges in Hoshiarpur Punjab". Punjabcolleges.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2011.</ref><ref>"Three sardars and their Hoshiarpur connection". Portal.bsnl.in. 23 March 1932. Archived from the original on 28 November 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2011.</ref><ref>"Hoshiarpur". The Times of India.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)</ref> Punjab, studying Economics and got his bachelor's and master's degrees in 1952 and 1954, respectively, standing first throughout his academic career. He completed his Economics Tripos at University of Cambridge in 1957. He was a member of St John's College.<ref name=CSIR>"Curriculum Vitae of Prime Minister of India". CSIR. Archived from the original on 24 January 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2013.</ref>

In a 2005 interview with the British journalist Mark Tully, Singh said about his Cambridge days:

I first became conscious of the creative role of politics in shaping human affairs, and I owe that mostly to my teachers Joan Robinson and Nicholas Kaldor. Joan Robinson was a brilliant teacher, but she also sought to awaken the inner conscience of her students in a manner that very few others were able to achieve. She questioned me a great deal and made me think the unthinkable. She propounded the left wing interpretation of Keynes, maintaining that the state has to play more of a role if you really want to combine development with social equity. Kaldor influenced me even more; I found him pragmatic, scintillating, stimulating. Joan Robinson was a great admirer of what was going on in China, but Kaldor used the Keynesian analysis to demonstrate that capitalism could be made to work.<ref>"Manmohan Singh – PIB". Press Information Bureau. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.</ref>

After Cambridge, Singh returned to India and served as a teacher at Panjab University.<ref name="TULLY">Mark Tully. "Architect of the New India". Cambridge Alumni Magazine. Michaelmas 2005. Retrieved on 28 February 2013. Archived 1 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine</ref> In 1960, he went to the University of Oxford for his DPhil, where he was a member of Nuffield College. His 1962 doctoral thesis under the supervision of Ian Little was titled "India's export performance, 1951–1960, export prospects and policy implications", and was later the basis for his book "India's Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth".<ref>"Curriculum Vitae" (PDF). Prime Minister's Office. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 February 2007. Retrieved 11 December 2008.</ref>

Early career

After completing his D. Phil., Singh returned to India. He was a senior lecturer of economics at Panjab University from 1957 to 1959. During 1959 and 1963, he served as a reader in economics at Panjab University, and from 1963 to 1965, he was an economics professor there.<ref name="Bhushan">Bhushan, K.; Katyal, G. (2004). Manmohan Singh: Visionary to Certainty. APH Publishing Corporation. p. 2. ISBN 978-8176486941. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2019.</ref> Then he went to work for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) from 1966 to 1969.<ref name="CSIR" /> Later, he was appointed as an advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Trade by Lalit Narayan Mishra, in recognition of Singh's talent as an economist.<ref name="Advisor">"Manmohan Singh". India Today. Living Media India Limited. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.</ref>

From 1969 to 1971, Singh was a professor of international trade at the Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi.<ref name="CSIR" /><ref>"Detailed Profile: Dr. Manmohan Singh". india.gov.in. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2015.</ref>

In 1972, Singh was chief economic adviser in the Ministry of Finance, and in 1976 he was secretary in the Finance Ministry.<ref name="CSIR" /> In 1980–1982 he was at the Planning Commission, and in 1982, he was appointed governor of the Reserve Bank of India under then finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and held the post until 1985.<ref name="CSIR" /> He went on to become the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission (India) from 1985 to 1987.<ref name="dr mms" /> Following his tenure at the Planning Commission, he was secretary general of the South Commission, an independent economic policy think tank headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland from 1987 to November 1990.<ref name="India – Head of Government">"India – Head of Government". Archived from the original on 1 December 2008.</ref>

Singh returned to India from Geneva in November 1990 and held the post as the advisor to Prime Minister of India on economic affairs during the tenure of Chandra Shekar.<ref name="CSIR" /> In March 1991, he became chairman of the University Grants Commission.<ref name="CSIR" />

Political career

In June 1991, India's prime minister at the time, P. V. Narasimha Rao, chose Singh to be his finance minister. Singh told Mark Tully, a British journalist, in 2005:

<blockquote>On the day (Rao) was formulating his cabinet, he sent his Principal Secretary to me saying, "The PM would like you to become the Minister of Finance". I didn't take it seriously. He eventually tracked me down the next morning, rather angry, and demanded that I get dressed up and come to Rashtrapati Bhavan for the swearing in. So that's how I started in politics[.]<ref name="TULLY" /> </blockquote>

Minister of Finance (1991–1996)

In 1991, India's fiscal deficit was close to 8.5 per cent of the gross domestic product, the balance of payments deficit was huge and the current account deficit was close to 3.5 per cent of India's GDP.<ref name="rediff Business Desk">"Manmohan Singh: Father of Indian Reform". Rediff.com. 26 September 2005. Archived from the original on 9 April 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2010.</ref> India's foreign reserves barely amounted to US$1Template:Nbsbillion, enough to pay for 2 weeks of imports,<ref name="autogenerated1">"Commanding Heights: Episode 2 &#124; on PBS". Pbs.org. Archived from the original on 22 October 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2015.</ref> in comparison to US$600 billion in 2009.<ref>Mahalakshmi Hariharan (2 January 2010). "Forex reserves swell 11% in 2009". Yahoo Finance India. Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2010.</ref>

Singh explained to the PM and the party that India is facing an unprecedented crisis.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> However the rank and file of the party resisted deregulation.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> So P. Chidambaram and Singh explained to the party that the economy would collapse if it was not deregulated.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> To the dismay of the party, Rao allowed Singh to deregulate the Indian economy.<ref name="autogenerated1" />

Subsequently, Singh, who had thus far been one of the most influential architects of India's socialist economy, eliminated the license raj (which inhibited the prosperity of private businesses),<ref name="autogenerated1" /> reduced state control of the economy, and reduced import taxes.<ref name="rediff Business Desk" /><ref>Friedman, Thomas L. (2008). The World is Flat – A brief history of the twenty-first century. Picador. p. 488-->]. ISBN 978-0-374-29288-1.</ref> Rao and Singh thus implemented policies to open up the economy and change India's socialist economy to a more capitalistic one. They removed many obstacles standing in the way of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and initiated the process of the privatisation of public sector companies. However, in spite of these reforms, Rao's government was voted out in 1996 due to non-performance of government in other areas. In praise of Singh's work that pushed India towards a market economy, long-time cabinet minister P. Chidambaram has compared Singh's role in India's reforms to Deng Xiaoping's in China.<ref>"Manmohan is Deng Xiaoping of India: P Chidambaram – Oneindia News". Oneindia. 2 May 2008. Archived from the original on 26 April 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.</ref>

In 1993, Singh offered his resignation from the post of Finance Minister after a parliamentary investigation report criticised his ministry for not being able to anticipate a US$1.8Template:Nbsbillion 1992 securities scandal. Prime Minister Rao refused Singh's resignation, instead promising to punish the individuals directly accused in the scandal.<ref name="nytimes">"Indian Leader Bars Key Aide From Quitting in Stock Scam". The New York Times. 1 January 1994. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2010.</ref>

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha (1998–2004)

Singh was first elected to the upper house of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha, in 1991<ref name="MSRj01">"Profile: Prime Minister India". Indian gov. Archived from the original on 22 April 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2009.</ref> by the legislature of the state of Assam, and was re-elected in 1995, 2001, 2007<ref name="dr mms" /> and 2013.<ref>"PM Manmohan Singh elected to Rajya Sabha". Zee News Limited. 30 May 2013. Archived from the original on 1 June 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2013.</ref> From 1998 to 2004, while the Bharatiya Janata Party was in power, Singh was the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. In 1999, he contested for the Lok Sabha from South Delhi but was unable to win the seat.<ref>"Candidate Statistics Manmohan Singh". IBN Live. Archived from the original on 19 April 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2009.</ref>

Prime Minister (2004–2014)

First term (2004–2009)

See also: First Manmohan Singh ministry

President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam authorising the Prime Minister designate Manmohan Singh to form the next Government in New Delhi on 19 May 2004

After the 2004 general elections, the Indian National Congress ended the incumbent National Democratic Alliance (NDA) tenure by becoming the political party with the single largest number of seats in the Lok Sabha. It formed United Progressive Alliance (UPA) with allies and staked claim to form government. In a surprise move, Chairperson Sonia Gandhi declared Manmohan Singh, a technocrat, as the UPA candidate for the prime ministership. Despite the fact that Singh had never won a direct popular election, according to the BBC, he "enjoyed massive popular support, not least because he was seen by many as a clean politician untouched by the taint of corruption that has run through many Indian administrations."<ref name="bbcprofile">"Profile: Manmohan Singh". BBC News. 30 March 2009. Archived from the original on 30 April 2009. Retrieved 7 April 2010.</ref> He took the oath as the prime minister of India on 22 May 2004.<ref>"Manmohan to Advani: Change your astrologers, stop abuse against me". Thaindian News. 22 July 2008. Archived from the original on 13 April 2009. Retrieved 23 July 2008.</ref><ref>"Manmohan takes on Advani: Babri destruction his only contribution". Southasia Times. 25 March 2009.</ref>Singh was the fourth PM to be from the Rajya Sabha, following Indira Gandhi (January 1966 - March 1967)<ref>"Inder Kumar Gujral: PM who governed from the Rajya Sabha". India Today. 30 November 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.</ref>,H. D. Deve Gowda (June 1996 - April 1997) and Inder Kumar Gujral (April 1997- March 1998).<ref>"Dr. Manmohan Singh | Prime Minister of India". www.pmindia.gov.in. Retrieved 7 June 2018.</ref>

Economic policy

In 1991, Singh, as finance minister, abolished the Licence Raj, source of slow economic growth and corruption in the Indian economy for decades. He liberalised the Indian economy, allowing it to speed up development dramatically. During his term as prime minister, Singh continued to encourage growth in the Indian market, enjoying widespread success in these matters. Singh, along with his finance minister, P. Chidambaram, presided over a period where the Indian economy grew with an 8–9% economic growth rate. In 2007, India achieved its highest GDP growth rate of 9% and became the second fastest growing major economy in the world.<ref>"CIA – The World Factbook". Cia.gov. Archived from the original on 18 March 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2011.</ref><ref name="astaire">"The India Report" (PDF). Astaire Research. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 January 2009.</ref> Singh's ministry enacted a National Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in 2005.<ref>"MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE SCHEME (MGNREGS)". HaryanaRural.gov. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref>

Singh's government continued the Golden Quadrilateral and the highway modernisation program that was initiated by Vajpayee's government.<ref>"Economic benefits of golden Quadilateral". Business today. 4 May 2013. Archived from the original on 7 June 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.</ref> Singh also worked on reforming the banking and financial sectors, as well as public sector companies.<ref>"Banking on reform". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 27 July 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.</ref> The Finance ministry worked towards relieving farmers of their debt and worked towards pro-industry policies.<ref>"Farmer Waiver Scheme- PM statement". PIB. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2013.</ref> In 2005, Singh's government introduced the value added tax, replacing sales tax. In 2007 and early 2008, the Great Recession impacted India.<ref>"JPMorgan cuts India growth forecast, sees rate cuts". Reuters. 17 November 2008. Archived from the original on 16 December 2008.</ref><ref>Kevin Plumberg; Steven C. Johnson (2 November 2008). "Global inflation climbs to historic levels". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 1 May 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011.</ref>

Healthcare and education

In 2005, Prime Minister Singh and his government's health ministry started the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM), which mobilised half a million community health workers. This rural health initiative was praised by the American economist Jeffrey Sachs.<ref name="timepoverty">Sachs, Jeffrey D. (6 March 2005). "The End of Poverty". Time. Archived from the original on 17 March 2005.</ref> In 2006, his Government implemented the proposal to reserve 27% of seats in All India Institute of Medical Studies (AIIMS), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other central institutions of higher education for Other Backward Classes which led to 2006 Indian anti-reservation protests.<ref>"From Mandal Commission to Emergency: 5 student movements that shook governments".</ref><ref>Rao, S.L. (5 June 2006). "TOO MANY BOSSES – The UPA has a cabinet with many insubordinate ministers". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. Archived from the original on 26 June 2006. Retrieved 5 June 2006.</ref><ref>"Students and doctors protest reservation/affirmative-action system in India, 2006–2008". Global Nonviolent Action Database. Retrieved 27 August 2012.</ref>

On 2 July 2009, Singh ministry introduced the Right to Education Act (RTE) act. Eight IITs were opened in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Orissa, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.<ref>"LS passes bill to provide IIT for eight states". Deccan Herald. 24 March 2011. Archived from the original on 24 March 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.</ref> The Singh government also continued the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan program. The program includes the introduction and improvement of mid-day meals and the opening of schools all over India, especially in rural areas, to fight illiteracy.<ref>"Direct SSA funds for school panels". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2013.</ref>

Home affairs

Singh's government strengthened anti-terror laws with amendments to Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). National Investigation Agency (NIA) was also created soon after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, as need for a central agency to combat terrorism was realised.<ref>"Back to the Future: India's 2008 Counterterrorism Laws". Human Rights Watch. HRW.org. 27 July 2010. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref> Also, Unique Identification Authority of India was established in February 2009, an agency responsible for implementing the envisioned Multipurpose National Identity Card with the objective of increasing national security and facilitating e-governance.<ref>"Explained: Is India likely to have a multipurpose national ID card?". Indian Express. 24 September 2019. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref>

Singh with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in August 2008

Singh's administration initiated a massive reconstruction effort in Kashmir to stabilise the region but after some period of success, insurgent infiltration and terrorism in Kashmir has increased since 2009.<ref name=Buzz7 /> The Singh administration was, however, successful in reducing terrorism in Northeast India.<ref name=Buzz7>Infiltration has not reduced in Kashmir, insurgency down in North East: Chidambaram Archived 7 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine</ref>

In 2005, he controversially apologised on behalf of the Indian National Congress for the bloodshed during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in a speech to Parliament.<ref>"Manmohan Singh's apology for anti-Sikh riots a 'Gandhian moment of moral clarity,' says 2005 cable". The Hindu. 21 April 2011. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 9 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.</ref>

Notable legislation

The important National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the Right to Information Act were passed by the Parliament in 2005 during his tenure. While the effectiveness of the NREGA has been successful at various degrees, in various regions, the RTI act has proved crucial in India's fight against corruption.<ref>"RTI Act: A strong tool to cleanse corruption in India". Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.</ref> New cash benefits were also introduced for widows, pregnant women, and landless persons.<ref>Gender Report Archived 13 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine. ilo.org.</ref><ref>India Business Yearbook 2009. Vikas Publishing House Pvt Limited. 1 November 2009. ISBN 9788125930860. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2016 – via Google Books.</ref>

The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 was passed on 29 August 2013 in the Lok Sabha (lower house of the Indian parliament) and on 4 September 2013 in Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Indian parliament). The bill received the assent of the president of India, Pranab Mukherjee on 27 September 2013.<ref name=ndtv1>"President Pranab Mukherjee gives nod to Land Acquisition Bill". NDTV. 27 September 2013. Archived from the original on 7 October 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2013.</ref> The Act came into force from 1 January 2014.<ref>"Gazette Notification of coming into force of the Act" (PDF). Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.</ref><ref>"The New Land Acquisition Act to come into effect from 2014". Economic Times. 16 October 2013. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.</ref><ref>"Land Acquisition bill to be notified early next year: Jairam Ramesh". Economic Times. 15 September 2013. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2013.</ref>

Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act was enacted on 4 August 2009, which describes the modalities of the importance of free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 in India under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution.<ref>"Provisions of the Constitution of India having a bearing on Education". Department of Higher Education. Archived from the original on 1 February 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2010.</ref> India became one of 135 countries to make education a fundamental right of every child when the act came into force on 1 April 2010.<ref>Aarti Dhar (1 April 2010). "Education is a fundamental right now". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2015.</ref><ref>"India launches children's right to education". BBC News. 1 April 2010. Archived from the original on 15 December 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2015.</ref><ref>"India joins list of 135 countries in making education a right". The Hindu. The Hindu News. 2 April 2010. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2015.</ref>

Foreign policy

See also: List of international prime ministerial trips made by Manmohan Singh

Singh with American presidents, Barack Obama and George W. Bush, at the White House

Manmohan Singh continued the pragmatic foreign policy that was started by P.V. Narasimha Rao and continued by Bharatiya Janata Party's Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Singh continued the peace process with Pakistan initiated by his predecessor, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Exchange of high-level visits by top leaders from both countries have highlighted his tenure. Efforts have been made during Singh's tenure to end the border dispute with People's Republic of China. In November 2006, Chinese president Hu Jintao visited India which was followed by Singh's visit to Beijing in January 2008. A major development in Sino-Indian relations was the reopening of the Nathula Pass in 2006 after being closed for more than four decades.<ref name="state visit">"Visits of Heads of States/Heads of Governments" (PDF). Ministry of External Affairs (India). Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.</ref> Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Li Keqiang paid a state visit to India (Delhi-Mumbai) from 19 to 21 May 2013.<ref name="state visit" /> Singh paid an official visit to China from 22 to 24 October 2013.<ref name="state visit" /> Three agreements were signed establishing sister-city partnership between Delhi-Beijing, Kolkata-Kunming and Bangalore-Chengdu. As of 2010, the People's Republic of China was the second biggest trade partner of India.<ref>"China becomes India's 2nd largest trade partner – People's Daily Online". Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2019.</ref>

Relations with Afghanistan have improved considerably, with India now becoming the largest regional donor to Afghanistan.<ref>Bajoria, Jayshree (23 October 2008). "India-Afghanistan Relations". Council on Foreign Relations. Archived from the original on 29 November 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2008.</ref> During Afghan President Hamid Karzai's visit to New Delhi in August 2008, Manmohan Singh increased the aid package to Afghanistan for the development of more schools, health clinics, infrastructure, and defence.<ref name=BBC2>"BBC NEWS – South Asia – India announces more Afghan aid". Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2016.</ref> Under the leadership of Singh, India emerged as one of the single largest aid donors to Afghanistan.<ref name=BBC2 />

Singh with Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak on the sideline of the 15th NAM Summit, at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, July 2009

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Dmitry Medvedev, Hu Jintao, Dilma Rousseff and Jacob Zuma at the 2011 BRICS summit in Sanya, China

Singh's government worked towards stronger ties with the United States. He visited the United States in July 2005 initiating negotiations over the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement. This was followed by George W. Bush's successful visit to India in March 2006, during which the declaration over the nuclear agreement was made, giving India access to American nuclear fuel and technology while India will have to allow IAEA inspection of its civil nuclear reactors. After more than two years for more negotiations, followed by approval from the IAEA, Nuclear Suppliers Group and the US Congress, India and the US signed the agreement on 10 October 2008 with Pranab Mukherjee representing India.<ref>"U.S., India ink historic civilian nuclear deal". People's Daily. 11 October 2008. Archived from the original on 13 April 2009. Retrieved 11 December 2008.</ref> Singh had the first official state visit to the White House during the administration of US president Barack Obama. The visit took place in November 2009, and several discussions took place, including on trade and nuclear power.<ref name="CSIS">"Manmohan Singh's U.S. Visit". Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2020.</ref>

Relations improved with Japan and European Union countries, like the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Relations with Iran continued and negotiations over the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline have taken place. New Delhi hosted an India–Africa Summit in April 2006 which was attended by the leaders of 15 African states.<ref>"Several African leaders to attend Africa-India summit, AU says". African Press International. 28 March 2008. Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2008.</ref> Relations have improved with other developing countries, particularly Brazil and South Africa. Singh carried forward the momentum which was established after the "Brasilia Declaration" in 2003 and the IBSA Dialogue Forum was formed.<ref>Beri, Ruchita (10 December 2008). "IBSA Dialogue Forum: A Strategic Partnership". The African Executive. Archived from the original on 11 April 2009. Retrieved 11 December 2008.</ref>

Singh's government was especially keen on expanding ties with Israel. From 2003, the two countries made significant investments in each other,<ref>Halarnkar, Samar (23 October 2007). "India and Israel: The great seduction". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 7 January 2009. Retrieved 11 December 2008.</ref> making Israel a rival to Russia to become India's largest defence partner.<ref>Waldman, Amy (7 September 2003). "The Bond Between India and Israel Grows". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2008.</ref> Though there have been a few diplomatic glitches between India and Russia, especially over the delay and price hike of several Russian weapons to be delivered to India,<ref>Dikshit, Sandeep (17 April 2008). "Centre admits to problems in naval deals". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 21 April 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2008.</ref> relations between the two remained strong with India and Russia signing various agreements to increase defence, nuclear energy and space co-operation.<ref>Roychowdhury, Amitabh (6 December 2006). "India, Russia sign agreements to further strengthen ties". Outlook. Archived from the original on 11 April 2009. Retrieved 11 December 2008.</ref>

During the Libyan Civil War, India abstained from voting on the UN Security Council's Resolutions 1970 and 1973 that authorised NATO action in Libya.<ref>"India and China had similar considerations on Libya". The Hindu. 26 March 2011. Archived from the original on 8 September 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2012.</ref> In Lok Sabha, resolution was unanimously adopted to condemn NATO's military intervention in Libya.<ref>"Parties unite to slam strikes on Libya". Times of India. 23 March 2011. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2024.</ref>

In 2009, Singh was among the leaders who laid the foundation of the BRICS. The establishment of the group is often described as a display of emergent economic power.<ref name="i727">Cowell, Alan (26 December 2024). "Manmohan Singh, Indian Prime Minister, Dies at 92". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 December 2024.</ref>

Singh criticised the West for the use of force to enforce regime change in Syria and Libya during his speech at the UN in September 2011.<ref>Diwakar (25 September 2011). "Manmohan slams West for using force to change regimes". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.</ref> India was silent over the killing of Gaddafi.<ref name="thediplomat">"Why India Admired Gaddafi". The Diplomat. 28 October 2011. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2012.</ref><ref>"India Quiet on Gaddafi Killing". The Diplomat. 23 October 2011. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2012.</ref> Although India was among the last few countries to recognise the Libyan National Transitional Council, it agreed to work with the Council to help rebuild Libya.<ref>"India offers all help to Libya". The Times of India. 21 October 2011. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2012.</ref> India resent an ambassador to Tripoli in July 2012 having shut its mission in Tripoli in 2011.<ref>"India and Ivory Coast Send Ambassadors to Libya". 3 July 2012. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2012.</ref>

Second term (2009–2014)

See also: Second Manmohan Singh ministry

Singh with Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin in March 2010

Singh with Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe in May 2013

India held general elections to the 15th Lok Sabha in five phases between 16 April 2009 and 13 May 2009. The results of the election were announced on 16 May 2009.<ref>"India's ruling party wins resounding victory". Associated Press. 16 May 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)</ref> Strong showing in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh helped the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) form the new government under the incumbent Singh, who became the first prime minister since Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962 to win re-election after completing a full five-year term.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> The Congress and its allies were able to put together a comfortable majority with support from 322 members out of 543 members of the House. These included those of the UPA and the external support from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP), Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other minor parties.<ref>"Smooth sailing for UPA, parties scramble to support". CNN-IBN. 19 May 2009. Archived from the original on 21 May 2009. Retrieved 13 June 2009.</ref>

On 22 May 2009, Manmohan Singh was sworn in as the prime minister during a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.<ref>"Team Manmohan set to form govt today". Times Now. 22 May 2009. Archived from the original on 27 May 2009. Retrieved 13 June 2009.</ref><ref>"India PM Singh takes oath for second term". Reuters. 22 May 2009. Archived from the original on 25 May 2009. Retrieved 13 June 2009.</ref>

In his second term, Singh's government was involved in political scandals such as the 2G spectrum case and the Commonwealth Games scandal.<ref>"2G case: A chronology of events". The Hindu. PTI. 12 December 2011. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.</ref><ref>"India's 2G scandal". BBC World News. 11 November 2011.</ref><ref>"2G Scam Explained". News18.com. Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.</ref><ref>"Tained Kalmadi sacked as IOA chief". The Times of India. 26 April 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2011.</ref><ref name="bloomberg.com">Choudhury, Chandrahas (22 June 2011). "Indians Divide Over Policing a Watchdog: World View". bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on 25 June 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.</ref> Singh declined to appear before a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in April 2013 when called upon by one of the members of JPC Yashwant Sinha for his alleged involvement in the 2G case.<ref>"2G scam: Disappointed over Manmohan Singh's refusal to appear before JPC, says Yashwant Sinha". DNA India. ANI. 9 April 2013. Archived from the original on 14 April 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2013.</ref> In 2017, all of the accused were acquitted in the 2G case.<ref name="s851">"Live Updates: A Raja, Kanimozhi acquitted in 2G Scam case". The Economic Times. 21 December 2017. Archived from the original on 4 January 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2024.</ref> Following this verdict, the Congress stated the "BJP has been exposed for its untruth and propaganda against Congress," and urged Narendra Modi and Arun Jaitley "to apologise to the nation".<ref name="t249">India, Press Trust of (21 December 2017). ""Prime Minister Should Apologise To Nation": Congress After 2G Case Verdict". www.ndtv.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2024.</ref>

Following the 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder, Singh appealed for calm, stressing that "violence will serve no purpose".<ref name="emirates">"Delhi gang-rape: Indian PM Manmohan Singh's 'Theek Hai' gaffe sets Twitter on fire". Emirates 24/7. 24 December 2012. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2012.</ref> In a televised address, he assured that all possible efforts would be made to ensure the safety of women in India. Singh expressed empathy, saying: "As a father of three daughters I feel as strongly about the incident as each one of you".<ref name="emirates" /> As a tribute to the victim, the prime minister cancelled all his official events to celebrate the new year.<ref>Lakshmi, Rama (31 December 2012). "Muted New Year's celebrations in India after gang-rape victim's death". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 15 September 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2017.</ref>

The 2012 report filed by the CAG in Parliament of India states that due to the allocation of coal blocks to certain private companies without bidding process the nation suffered an estimated loss of Rs 1.85Template:Nbstrillion (short scale) between 2005 and 2009 in which Manmohan Singh was the coal minister of India.<ref>Nairita (18 August 2012). "Coalgate scam: PM Manmohan Singh asked to resign". Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2013.</ref><ref>"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh directly responsible for coal scam: Arun Jaitley". The Economic Times. PTI. 19 August 2012. Archived from the original on 8 May 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2013.</ref>

Singh's government had an approval rating of 30% by 2013.<ref>"India's New Leadership Faces High Expectations". 13 March 2015. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2024.</ref>

Post-premiership (2014–2024)

Singh's premiership officially ended at noon on 17 May 2014. He did not contest the 2014 general election for the 16th Lok Sabha as the prime ministerial candidate. He resigned his post as prime minister after the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance won the election. He served as the acting prime minister till 26 May 2014, when Narendra Modi was sworn in as the new prime minister.<ref>Ghosh, Deepshikha (17 May 2014). "Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Resigns After 10 Years in Office". NDTV. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2023.</ref><ref>"Manmohan Singh to continue as PM till Modi assumes office". India Today. 17 May 2014. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2023.</ref> Singh, along with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former presidents A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil, and Vice-President Hamid Ansari attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony.<ref>"At the scene: Sanjoy Majumder, BBC News, Delhi". BBC News. 26 May 2014. Archived from the original on 17 October 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref>

In September 2018, Singh delivered a book speech.

In 2016, it was announced that Singh was to take up a position at Panjab University as the Jawaharlal Nehru Chair, which he eventually did not.<ref>"Former PM Manmohan Singh returns to teaching". Asian Voice. 13 April 2016. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.</ref> He was elected as the Rajya Sabha MP for Rajasthan in 2019, succeeding BJP MP Madan Lal Saini. Singh retired from the Rajya Sabha in April 2024 and was succeeded by Sonia Gandhi.<ref>"Manmohan Singh to end 33 years stint in RS on Apr 3; Sonia Gandhi to begin first". The Times of India. 14 February 2024. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.</ref>

Public image and legacy

The Independent described Singh as "one of the world's most revered leaders" and "a man of uncommon decency and grace", noting that he drives a Maruti 800, one of the humblest cars in the Indian market. Khushwant Singh lauded Singh as the best prime minister India has had, even rating him higher than Jawaharlal Nehru. He mentions an incident in his book Absolute Khushwant: The Low-Down on Life, Death and Most things In-between where after losing the 1999 Lok Sabha elections, Singh immediately returned the ₹2 lakh (US$2,800) he had borrowed from the writer for hiring taxis. Terming him as the best example of integrity, Khushwant Singh stated, "When people talk of integrity, I say the best example is the man who occupies the country's highest office."<ref>"PM Manmohan Singh: PM Manmohan Singh is the best example of integrity: Khushwant Singh". The Times of India. 17 August 2010. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2019.</ref>

In 2010, Newsweek magazine recognised him as a world leader who is respected by other heads of state, describing him as "the leader other leaders love." The article quoted Mohamed ElBaradei, who remarked that Singh is "the model of what a political leader should be."<ref>Christopher Dickey (16 August 2010). "Go to the Head of the Class". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.</ref> Singh also received the World Statesman Award in 2010. Henry Kissinger described Singh as "a statesman with vision, persistence and integrity", and praised him for his "leadership, which has been instrumental in the economic transformation underway in India."<ref name=worldstatesmanaward>"Manmohan Singh honoured with 2010 World Statesman Award". Hindustan Times. PTI. 23 September 2010. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2012.</ref>

Singh was ranked 18 on the 2010 Forbes list of the World's Most Powerful People.<ref>"The World's Most Powerful People: Manmohan Singh". Forbes. 3 November 2010. Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.</ref> Forbes magazine described Singh as being "universally praised as India's best prime minister since Nehru".<ref>"The World's Most Powerful People: Sonia Gandhi". Forbes. 3 November 2010. Archived from the original on 6 November 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2017.</ref> Australian journalist Greg Sheridan praised Singh "as one of the greatest statesmen in Asian history."<ref name="TA">"Strengthen Team India". The Australian. 21 May 2009. Archived from the original on 23 May 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2011.</ref> Singh was later ranked 19 and 28 in 2012 and 2013 in the Forbes list.<ref>"Manmohan Singh". Forbes. Archived from the original on 7 December 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.</ref><ref>Tharakan, Tony (31 October 2013). "Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh slip in Forbes' most powerful list". Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2016.</ref><ref>"These are the world's most powerful people, Photo Gallery". Archived from the original on 3 December 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.</ref> Time magazine described Singh as "guiding India into the ranks of the great powers".<ref>Singh, Manmohan (29 April 2010). "The 2010 TIME 100". Time (Magazine). Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.</ref>

Conversely, Time magazine's Asia edition for 10–17 July 2012, on its cover remarked that Singh was an "underachiever".<ref>"Time magazine dubs Manmohan Singh as 'underachiever'". The Times of India. 8 July 2012. Archived from the original on 12 May 2013.</ref> It stated that Singh appears "unwilling to stick his neck out" on reforms that will put the country back onto a growth path. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari rebutted the charges. UPA ally Lalu Prasad Yadav took issue with the magazine's statements. Praising the government, Prasad said UPA projects [were] doing well and asked, "What will America say as their own economy is shattered?".<ref>"Cong counters Time magazine's 'underachiever' remark against PM". 8 July 2012. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2012.</ref> Additionally, Singh faced negative reception following the 2008 Mumbai attacks for falling short on enhancing national security.<ref name="Demarche_to_Pakistan">Press Trust of India (2 December 2008). "No military action against Pakistan: India". Times of India. India. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2008.</ref>

In his 2020 memoir A Promised Land, former U.S. president Barack Obama called Singh "Wise, thoughtful, and scrupulously honest".<ref>"Manmohan Singh, India's prime minister from 2004 to 2014, has died". NPR. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref>

Political opponents, including BJP co-founder L. K. Advani, have claimed that Singh is a "weak" prime minister. Advani declared "He is weak. What do I call a person who can't take his decisions until 10 Janpath gives instruction."<ref>"Manmohan Singh is a weak PM, reiterates Advani: East News – India Today". Archived from the original on 22 October 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2012.. Indiatoday.intoday.in (21 October 2011). Retrieved 17 May 2012.</ref><ref>"Manmohan Singh weak PM, unbecoming of the coveted post: BJP – India – DNA". Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2012.. Dnaindia.com (21 January 2012). Retrieved 17 May 2012.</ref><ref>"Dangerous to have a weak PM: Anna". Archived from the original on 16 March 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2012.. Zeenews.India.com (9 December 2011). Retrieved 17 May 2012.</ref> Arvind Kejriwal in 2018 said the people are "missing an educated PM like Dr Manmohan Singh".<ref name="NDTV.com2">Sethi, Nidhi (31 May 2018). ""Missing 'Educated Prime Minister' Like Manmohan Singh": Arvind Kejriwal". NDTV. Retrieved 16 August 2023.</ref> In 2022, Union Transport Minister of Modi Government, Nitin Gadkari said the "country is indebted to Manmohan Singh for the liberalisation that gave a new direction".<ref name="NDTV.com3">""Country Is Indebted To Him": Nitin Gadkari's Praise For Manmohan Singh". NDTV. PTI. 8 November 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.</ref>

In 2013, BJP leader Narendra Modi had termed Singh as "night watchman" and a "puppet of the Gandhi family".<ref name="NDTV.com">Das, Mala (22 February 2019). "Narendra Modi targets Gandhis, calls Manmohan Singh 'night watchman'". NDTV. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.</ref> On 8 February 2024, Modi praised Manmohan Singh stating,<ref name=modipraise/>

<blockquote>Ideological differences are short lived, but the way Manmohan Singh has guided this House and the country for such a long period, he will be remembered for his contributions during every discussion on our democracy.</blockquote>

Modi also recalled when Singh arrived at the Parliament in a wheelchair to cast his vote over a key legislation.<ref name=modipraise>Mitra, Chandrajit (8 February 2024). "PM Modi's Big Praise For Manmohan Singh: "Ideological Differences, But..."". NDTV. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.</ref>

Following his death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Singh one of "India's most distinguished leaders" and declared national mourning.<ref name="bloomberg" /> President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and former prime minister H. D. Deve Gowda issued statements praising Singh and his leadership after his death.<ref>"Former PM Manmohan Singh death reactions LIVE: PM Modi, leaders pay tribute". The Hindu. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref> Mauritius<ref name="n045">The Hindu Bureau (28 December 2024). "As mark of respect for Manmohan Singh, Mauritius flag to be flown half-mast till sunset on December 28". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 December 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.</ref> and Bhutan<ref name="j193">"Special prayers for Manmohan Singh held across Bhutan, King attends funeral". Business Standard. 28 December 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.</ref> flew their flags at half-mast to mourn the death of Singh.

Family and personal life

Singh married Gursharan Kaur in 1958. They had three daughters, Upinder Singh, Daman Singh and Amrit Singh.<ref name="personal profile">"Dr. Manmohan Singh: Personal Profile". Prime Minister's Office, Government of India. Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2009.</ref> Upinder Singh is a professor of history at Ashoka University.<ref>University, Ashoka. "Faculty/Staff". Ashoka University. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.</ref> Daman Singh is a graduate of St. Stephen's College, Delhi and Institute of Rural Management, Anand, Gujarat, and author of The Last Frontier: People and Forests in Mizoram and a novel, Nine by Nine,<ref>"Meet Dr. Singh's daughter". Rediff.com. 28 January 2009. Archived from the original on 31 March 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2009.</ref> Amrit Singh is a staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union.<ref>Rajghatta, Chidanand (21 December 2007). "PM's daughter puts White House in the dock". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2008.</ref> Singh's son-in-law, Ashok Pattnaik, a 1983 batch Indian Police Service officer, was appointed CEO of National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) in 2016.<ref>"An NDA boost for NATGRID, Home Minister reviews progress". India Today. New Delhi, India. 31 August 2016. Archived from the original on 1 September 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.</ref>

Singh was attacked during the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots and provided financial assistance to the Citizens' Relief Committee.<ref>"1984 riots could have been avoided, if Narasimha Rao had listened to IK Gujaral: Manmohan Singh". India Today. 4 December 2019. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.</ref>

Singh was a vegetarian.<ref>""We Must Make Intelligent Choices": Manmohan Singh On His Vegetarian Diet". NDTV. 27 December 2024. Archived from the original on 29 December 2024. Retrieved 30 December 2024.</ref>

Until his death, Singh resided at 3, Motilal Nehru Marg in New Delhi.<ref>"Former PM Manmohan Singh moves to 3, Motilal Nehru Marg". 27 May 2014. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.</ref>

Illness and death

Main article: Death and state funeral of Manmohan Singh

Singh underwent multiple cardiac bypass surgeries, the last of which took place in January 2009.<ref>"One graft successfully performed on Manmohan Singh". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 24 January 2009. Archived from the original on 14 April 2009. Retrieved 24 January 2009.</ref> In May 2020, Singh was hospitalised at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) due to a negative reaction from his medication.<ref>"Manmohan Singh stable, developed reaction to medication: Hospital sources". Indian Express. 11 May 2020. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref> In April 2021, Singh was hospitalised after testing positive for COVID-19.<ref>"Ex-Indian PM Manmohan Singh admitted to hospital with Covid". The Guardian. 21 April 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2024.</ref> In October 2021, Singh was hospitalised again at the AIIMS after experiencing weakness and fever.<ref>"Former PM Manmohan Singh's health condition improving". The Hindustan Times. 16 October 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref>

On 26 December 2024, Singh collapsed at his home in New Delhi and was admitted to the emergency department of AIIMS Delhi.<ref>Phabhu, Sunil (26 December 2024). "Former PM Manmohan Singh, 92, Admitted To AIIMS In Delhi". www.ndtv.com. NDTV. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref><ref>"Manmohan Singh, India's 'reluctant' prime minister, dies aged 92". CNBC. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref> Singh died a few hours after his hospitalisation at the age of 92.<ref>Achom, Debanish (26 December 2024). "Manmohan Singh, 2-Time PM And Architect Of India's Economic Reforms, Dies At 92". NDTV. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref><ref name="bloomberg">"Manmohan Singh, Premier Who Unleashed Indian Economy, Dies at 92". Bloomberg. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref><ref>"India's former PM Manmohan Singh dies aged 92". Reuters. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.</ref> The government subsequently announced a period of national mourning until 1 January 2025<ref>"India announces state funeral for ex-PM Manmohan Singh". France 24. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.</ref><ref>"Press Release". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 28 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.</ref> and accorded Singh a state funeral at his cremation at Nigam Bodh Ghat, New Delhi on 28 December.<ref name=":2"/>

Awards and honours

Main article: List of awards and honours received by Manmohan Singh

Electoral history

Lok Sabha

Year	Election	Party		Constituency Name	Result	Votes	Vote share%
1999	13th Lok Sabha		INC	South Delhi	Lost	2,31,231	46.25

Rajya Sabha

Position	Party		<small>Constituency</small>	From	To	Tenure
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha<br/><small>(1st Term)</small>		INC	Assam	<small>1 October</small><br/>1991	<small>14 June</small><br/>1995	3 years, 256 days
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha<br/><small>(2nd Term)</small>	<small>15 June</small><br/>1995	<small>14 June</small><br/>2001		5 years, 364 days
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha<br/><small>(3rd Term)</small>	<small>15 June</small><br/>2001	<small>14 June</small><br/>2007		5 years, 364 days
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha<br/><small>(4th Term)</small>	<small>15 June</small><br/>2007	<small>14 June</small><br/>2013		5 years, 364 days
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha<br/><small>(5th Term)</small>	<small>15 June</small><br/>2013	<small>14 June</small><br/>2019		5 years, 364 days
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha<br/><small>(6th Term)</small>	Rajasthan	<small>20 August</small><br/>2019	<small>3 April</small><br/>2024	4 years, 227 days

In popular culture

A Bollywood film was made in 2019 based on Singh's life, titled The Accidental Prime Minister directed by Vijay Gutte and written by Mayank Tewari with Anupam Kher in the titular role.<ref>"The Accidental Prime Minister first look: Anupam Kher 'overwhelmed' with response, writes personal thanks". The Indian Express. 8 June 2017. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.</ref> The film was based on the 2014 memoir of the same name by Sanjaya Baru.<ref>Ghosh, Stutee (11 January 2019). "'The Accidental Prime Minister' Has More Than One Accidental Hero". The Quint. Retrieved 19 March 2021.</ref><ref>Thakur, Tanul (11 January 2019). "Movie Review: The Accidental Prime Minister Is Made to Confirm Your Bias". The Wire. Retrieved 19 March 2021.</ref>

Pradhanmantri (lit. 'Prime Minister'), a 2013 Indian documentary television series which aired on ABP News and covers the various policies and political tenures of Indian PMs, includes the tenure of Manmohan Singh in the episodes "Story of Sonia Gandhi and UPA-I Government", and "Scams in UPA government and anti-corruption movement".<ref>"Pradhanmantri: Even after winning polls, Sonia did not become PM in 2004". ABP News. 22 December 2013. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021.</ref>

See also

• Economic reforms under Manmohan Singh

External links

• Prime Minister Manmohan Singh—Prime Ministers Office, archived
• Profile and CV of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh—Prime Ministers Office, archived
• Cabinet of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh—Prime Ministers Office, archived
• Works by Manmohan Singh at Open Library
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Manmohan Singh on IMDb

Political offices
Preceded by Atal Bihari Vajpayee	Prime Minister of India 22 May 2004 – 26 May 2014	Succeeded by Narendra Modi