Manmohan Singh: Difference between revisions

{{other people}}

{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name                = Manmohan Singh

| alt                = Manmohan Singh

| office              = 13th [[Prime Minister of India]]

| president          = {{ubl|[[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]]|[[Pratibha Patil]]|[[Pranab Mukherjee]]}}

| term_end            = 26 May 2014

| predecessor        = [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]

| successor          = [[Narendra Modi]]

| order1              = 16th

| nationality        = [[India]]n

| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Gursharan Kaur]]|1958}}

| alma_mater          = {{nowrap|[[Panjab University]] ([[B.A.|BA]], [[M.A.|MA]])<br />[[University of Cambridge]] (BA)<br />[[University of Oxford]] ([[DPhil]])}}

| profession          = {{hlist |[[Economist]]|academician|bureaucrat|politician}}

| signature          = Manmohan Singh Signatures.svg

| signature_alt      = Manmohan Singh

| office4            = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]

| term_start4        = 1 October 1991

| term_start5        = 19 August 2019

| constituency5      = Rajasthan

}}

Born in [[Gah, Pakistan|Gah]], [[Punjab (region)|West Punjab]], in what is today [[Pakistan]], Singh's family migrated to India during [[Partition of India|its partition]] in 1947. After obtaining his doctorate in economics from [[Nuffield College, Oxford|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 (India)|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 to the Government of India|Chief Economic Advisor]] (1972–1976), governor of the [[Reserve Bank of India|Reserve Bank]] (1982–1985) and head of the [[Planning Commission (India)|Planning Commission]] (1985–1987).

In 2004, when the Congress-led [[United Progressive Alliance]] (UPA) came to power, its chairperson [[Sonia Gandhi]] unexpectedly relinquished the premiership to Singh. His [[first Manmohan Singh ministry|first ministry]] executed several key legislations and projects, including the [[National Rural Health Mission]], [[Unique Identification Authority of India|Unique Identification Authority]], [[Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act|Rural Employment Guarantee]] scheme and [[Right to Information Act]]. In 2008, opposition to a historic [[U.S.–India Civil Nuclear Agreement|civil nuclear agreement with the United States]] nearly caused Singh's government to fall after [[Left Front (West Bengal)|Left Front]] parties withdrew their support. Although India's economy grew rapidly under UPA I, its security was threatened by several terrorist incidents (including the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]]) and the continuing [[Maoist insurgency]].

Singh was born to Gurmukh Singh and Amrit Kaur on 26 September 1932, in [[Gah, Pakistan|Gah]], [[Punjab (British India)|Punjab]], [[British Raj|British India]], into a [[Sikh]] family.<ref name="dr mms">{{cite web|title=Detailed Profile: Dr. Manmohan Singh |url=http://india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=2 |access-date=18 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207031001/http://india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=2 |archive-date=7 December 2011 }}</ref> He lost his mother when he was very young and was raised by his paternal grandmother, to whom he was very close.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

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

[[File:Prime Minister Singh and Smt. Kaur in New Delhi on October 15, 2010.jpg|thumb|Prime Minister Singh and [[Gursharan Kaur]] in 2010|221x221px]]

Singh married [[Gursharan Kaur]] in 1958. They have three daughters, [[Upinder Singh]], [[Daman Singh]] and Amrit Singh.<ref name="personal profile">{{cite web|url=http://www.pmindia.nic.in/meet.htm |title=Dr. Manmohan Singh: Personal Profile |publisher=Prime Minister's Office, Government of India |access-date=4 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303150424/http://pmindia.nic.in/meet.htm |archive-date=3 March 2009 }}</ref> Upinder Singh is a professor of history at [[Ashoka University]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=University |first1=Ashoka |title=Faculty/Staff |url=https://ashoka.edu.in/faculty#!/upinder-singh-1055 |website=Ashoka University |access-date=11 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref> She has written six books, including ''Ancient Delhi'' (1999) and ''A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India'' (2008). Daman Singh is a graduate of [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi]] and [[Institute of Rural Management, Anand|Institute of Rural Management]], Anand, Gujarat, and author of ''The Last Frontier: People and Forests in Mizoram'' and a novel ''Nine by Nine'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://specials.rediff.com/news/2009/jan/28slid1-dr-manmohan-singhs-daughter-daman-singh-turns-author.htm|title=Meet Dr. Singh's daughter|date=28 January 2009|work=Rediff.com|access-date=4 April 2009}}</ref> Amrit Singh is a staff attorney at the [[American Civil Liberties Union]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-12-21/india/27983907_1_aclu-statement-cia-tapes |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024115733/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-12-21/india/27983907_1_aclu-statement-cia-tapes |url-status= dead |archive-date= 24 October 2012 |title= PM's daughter puts White House in the dock|access-date=13 October 2008 |last= Rajghatta|first= Chidanand|work= [[The Times of India]] |date= 21 December 2007 }}</ref> Ashok Pattnaik, 1983 batch [[Indian Police Service]] officer, son-in-law of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, was appointed CEO of National Intelligence Grid ([[NATGRID]]) in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/natgrid-nda-home-minister-p-chidambaram-26-11/1/753750.html |title=An NDA boost for NATGRID, Home Minister reviews progress |date=31 August 2016 |work=India Today |access-date=1 September 2016 |location=New Delhi, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901035542/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/natgrid-nda-home-minister-p-chidambaram-26-11/1/753750.html |archive-date=1 September 2016 }}</ref>

Singh has undergone multiple [[cardiac bypass surgery|cardiac bypass surgeries]], the most recent of which took place in January 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200901241640.htm |title=One graft successfully performed on Manmohan Singh |date=24 January 2009 |work=The Hindu |access-date=24 January 2009 |location=Chennai, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414041423/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200901241640.htm |archive-date=14 April 2009 }}</ref>

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 percent of India's GDP.<ref name="rediff Business Desk">{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/money/2005/sep/26pm.htm |title= Manmohan Singh: Father of Indian Reform |author=rediff Business Desk |date=26 September 2005 |work=Rediff.com |access-date=3 January 2010}}</ref> India's foreign reserves barely amounted to US$1&nbsp;billion, enough to pay for 2 weeks of imports,<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/shared/minitext/tr_show02.html |title=Commanding Heights : Episode 2 &#124; on PBS |publisher=Pbs.org |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> in comparison to US$283&nbsp;billion today.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://in.biz.yahoo.com/100101/50/bauua1.html |title=Forex reserves swell 11% in 2009 |author=Mahalakshmi Hariharan |date=2 January 2010 |publisher=Yahoo Finance India |access-date=3 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103094134/http://in.biz.yahoo.com/100101/50/bauua1.html |archive-date=3 January 2010 }}</ref>

Evidently, India was facing an economic crisis. At this point, the government of India sought funds from the supranational [[International Monetary Fund]], which, while assisting India financially, imposed several conditions regarding India's economic policy. In effect, IMF-dictated policy meant that the ubiquitous [[Licence Raj]] had to be dismantled, and India's attempt at a state-controlled economy had to end.

Rao and Singh thus implemented policies to open up the economy and change India's socialist economy to a more [[capitalism|capitalistic]] one, in the process dismantling the Licence Raj, a system that inhibited the prosperity of private businesses. 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>{{cite web|url=http://news.oneindia.in/2008/05/02/manmohan-is-deng-xiaoping-of-india-p-chidambaram-1209740775.html |title=Manmohan is Deng Xiaoping of India: P Chidambaram – Oneindia News |publisher=News.oneindia.in |date=2 May 2008 |access-date=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$1.8&nbsp;billion [[1992 Indian stock market scam|securities scandal]]. Prime Minister Rao refused Singh's resignation, instead promising to punish the individuals directly accused in the report.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/01/world/indian-leader-bars-key-aide-from-quitting-in-stock-scam.html?pagewanted=1 |title= Indian Leader Bars Key Aide From Quitting in Stock Scam |work=The New York Times |date=1 January 1994 |access-date=7 April 2010}}</ref>

{{See also|First Manmohan Singh ministry}}

[[File:The President Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam authorizing the Prime Minister designate Dr. Manmohan Singh to form the next Government in New Delhi on May 19, 2004.jpg|thumb|250px|right|11th [[President of India]] [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]] authorizing the Prime Minister designate Manmohan Singh to form the next Government in New Delhi on 19 May 2004.]]

In 1991, Singh, as Finance Minister, abolished the [[Licence Raj]], source of slow economic growth and [[Corruption in India|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 the former 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 [[List of countries by real GDP growth rate|fastest growing major economy]] in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/india/ |title=CIA – The World Factbook |publisher=Cia.gov |access-date=15 February 2011}}</ref><ref name="astaire">{{cite web|url=http://www.ukibc.com/ukindia2/files/India60.pdf |title=The India Report |publisher=Astaire Research |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114195859/http://www.ukibc.com/ukindia2/files/India60.pdf |archive-date=14 January 2009 }}</ref> Singh's ministry enacted a [[National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005|National Employment Guarantee Act]] (MGNREGA) in 2005.

Singh's government continued the [[Golden Quadrilateral]] and the highway modernisation program that was initiated by [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee|Vajpayee]]'s government.<ref>{{cite web|title=Economic benefits of golden Quadilateral|url=http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/economic-benefits-of-the-golden-quadrilateral-project/1/194321.html|publisher=Business today|access-date=14 June 2013}}</ref> Singh also worked on reforming the banking and financial sectors, as well as public sector companies.<ref>{{cite news|title=Banking on reform|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/banking-on-reform/1059372/|access-date=14 June 2013|newspaper=Indian Express}}</ref> The Finance ministry worked towards relieving farmers of their debt and worked towards pro-industry policies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Farmer Waiver Scheme- PM statement|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=39122|publisher=PIB|access-date=14 June 2013}}</ref> In 2005, Singh's government introduced the [[value added tax]], replacing [[sales tax]]. In 2007 and early 2008, the [[Economic crisis of 2008#Inflation|global problem of inflation]] impacted India.<ref>{{cite news|title=Global inflation climbs to historic levels|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/business/worldbusiness/12iht-inflate.1.9963291.html|newspaper=The New York Times|author=Kevin Plumberg|author2=Steven C. Johnson|access-date=17 June 2011|date=2 November 2008}}</ref>

On 2 July 2009, Singh ministry introduced The [[Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009|Right to Education Act]] (RTE) act. Eight [[Indian Institutes of Technology|IIT's]] were opened in the states of [[Andhra Pradesh]], Bihar, [[Gujarat]], Orissa, [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], Madhya Pradesh, [[Rajasthan]] and [[Himachal Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite web|title=LS passes bill to provide IIT for eight states.|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/148456/ls-passes-bill-provide-iit.html|work=Deccan Herald|access-date=14 June 2013}}</ref> The Singh government also continued the [[Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan]] programme. The programme 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>{{cite news|title=Direct SSA funds for school panels|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/338571/direct-ssa-funds-school-panels.html|access-date=14 June 2013|newspaper=Deccan Herald}}</ref>

{{multiple image|perrow=1|total_width=220|caption_align=center|image_style = border:none;|background color = #F5F5DC| align = right |image1=|caption1={{font|size=110%|font=|text=National Investigation Agency, a state agency established by Singh ministry to combat terror in India.}}}}

Singh's government strengthened anti-terror laws with amendments to [[Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act]] (UAPA). [[National Investigation Agency (India)|National Investigation Agency]] (NIA) was also created soon after the [[2008 Mumbai attacks|Nov 2008 Mumbai terror attacks]], as need for a central agency to combat terrorism was realised. 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.

The important [[National Rural Employment Guarantee Act]] (NREGA) and the [[Right to Information Act]] were passed by the [[Parliament of India|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>{{cite web|url=http://www.merinews.com/article/rti-act-a-strong-tool-to-cleanse-corruption-in-india/15787433.shtml|title=RTI Act: A strong tool to cleanse corruption in India|access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref> New cash benefits were also introduced for widows, pregnant women, and landless persons.<ref>[http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---gender/documents/publication/wcms_233599.pdf Gender Report]. ''[[ilo.org]]''.</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JKrQOAKQX60C&q=Indira%20UPA%20government%20social%20security&pg=PA360|title=India Business Yearbook 2009|first=Career Launcher India|last=Ltd|date=1 November 2009|publisher=Vikas Publishing House Pvt Limited|access-date=16 November 2016|via=Google Books|isbn=9788125930860}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://www.education.nic.in/constitutional.asp |title=Provisions of the Constitution of India having a bearing on Education |publisher=Department of Higher Education |access-date=1 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201181216/http://www.education.nic.in/constitutional.asp |archive-date=1 February 2010 }}</ref> India became one of 135 countries to make [[Right to education|education a fundamental right]] of every child when the act came into force on 1 April 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article337111.ece|title=Education is a fundamental right now|author=Aarti Dhar|date=1 April 2010|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8598167.stm|title=India launches children's right to education|date=1 April 2010|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article365232.ece|title=India joins list of 135 countries in making education a right|date=2 April 2010|publisher=The Hindu News|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>

{{multiple image

| align    = right

}}

Singh's government worked towards stronger [[India-US relations|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 reactor]]s. 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>{{cite web|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/6513319.html| title=U.S., India ink historic civilian nuclear deal|access-date=11 December 2008|date=11 October 2008|work=People's Daily}}</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">{{cite web |title=Manmohan Singh's U.S. Visit |url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/manmohan-singh%E2%80%99s-us-visit |publisher=Centre for Strategic and International Studies |access-date=28 April 2020}}</ref>

Singh's government has also been especially keen on [[India-Israel relations|expanding ties with Israel]]. Since 2003, the two countries have made significant investments in each other<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=ea163747-b106-4e32-b231-7eb64de62985 |title=India and Israel: The great seduction |access-date=11 December 2008 |last=Halarnkar |first=Samar |date=23 October 2007 |work=Hindustan Times |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107062435/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=ea163747-b106-4e32-b231-7eb64de62985 |archive-date=7 January 2009 }}</ref> and Israel now rivals Russia to become India's defence partner.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE3DD163BF934A3575AC0A9659C8B63|title=The Bond Between India and Israel Grows|access-date=11 December 2008|last=Waldman|first=Amy|date=7 September 2003|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</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>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/17/stories/2008041761781200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421021724/http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/17/stories/2008041761781200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 April 2008|title=Centre admits to problems in naval deals|access-date=11 December 2008|last=Dikshit|first=Sandeep|date=17 April 2008|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> relations between the two remain strong with India and Russia signing various agreements to increase defence, nuclear energy and space co-operation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=339943 |title=India, Russia sign agreements to further strengthen ties |access-date=11 December 2008 |last=Roychowdhury |first=Amitabh |date=6 December 2006 |work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411192950/http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=339943 |archive-date=11 April 2009 }}</ref>

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>{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gf53l7BbUSc4DUHCgzjLF4YfW9CgD987BC100|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121206033206/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gf53l7BbUSc4DUHCgzjLF4YfW9CgD987BC100|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 December 2012|title=India's ruling party wins resounding victory|agency=Associated Press|date=16 May 2009|access-date=16 May 2009}}</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 Indian general election|1962]] to win re-election after completing a full five-year term.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/second-upa-wincrowning-glory-for-sonia%5Cs-ascendancy/61892/on|title=Second UPA win, a crowning glory for Sonia's ascendancy|date=16 May 2009|work=[[Business Standard]]|access-date=13 June 2009}}</ref> 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>{{cite news|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/smooth-sailing-for-upa-parties-scramble-to-support/92967-37.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090521022032/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/smooth-sailing-for-upa-parties-scramble-to-support/92967-37.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 May 2009|title=Smooth sailing for UPA, parties scramble to support|date=19 May 2009|publisher=[[CNN-IBN]]|access-date=13 June 2009}}</ref>

Manmohan Singh declined to appear before a [[Joint parliamentary committee|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>{{cite news | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/1820446/report-2g-scam-disappointed-over-manmohan-singh-s-refusal-to-appear-before-jpc-says-yashwant-sinha | title=2G scam: Disappointed over Manmohan Singh's refusal to appear before JPC, says Yashwant Sinha | work=DNA India | date=9 April 2013 | agency=ANI | access-date=13 April 2013}}</ref>

[[File:The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh meeting with the Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Mohammed Yunus, in New Delhi on January 30, 2007.jpg|thumb|250px|right|alt= Manmohan Singh and Muhammad Yunus meet in India| Singh meeting with [[Nobel Peace Prize]] winner [[Muhammad Yunus]].]]

In 2010, [[Newsweek|''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>{{cite web|author=Christopher Dickey|url=http://www.newsweek.com/content/newsweek/2010/08/16/go-to-the-head-of-the-class.html |title=Go to the Head of the Class |work=Newsweek |date=16 August 2010 |access-date=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" />

[[File:Stamps of Uzbekistan, 2006-055.jpg|thumb|left|alt= Postal stamp to honor Manmohan Singh| Stamp launched in [[Uzbekistan]] in honor of Manmohan Singh in 2006]]

His party, the [[Indian National Congress]], was criticised by the Supreme Court for appointing [[Polayil Joseph Thomas|P.J. Thomas]] as the [[Central Vigilance Commission|CVC]] chief, while there was an ongoing corruption enquiry against the same individual in the [[Palmolein Oil Import Scam]]. Singh has come in for severe criticism for remaining silent on the matter.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/23/stories/2010112355701200.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101128010224/http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/23/stories/2010112355701200.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date= 28 November 2010|title= Congress silent on CVC row |date= 23 November 2010|work= [[The Hindu]] |access-date=23 November 2010}}</ref> Singh was also criticised for allowing allocation of [[S-band]] spectrum without any bidding to [[ISRO]] by an agreement. The agreement was between Devas multimedia, a private firm and [[Antrix Corporation]], a commercial wing of ISRO.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_ignorant-prime-minister-is-a-serious-matter-bjp_1507552|title=An ignorant prime minister is a serious matter: BJP|work=DNA India|date=14 February 2011}}</ref>

* [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A]] (Honours) in [[Economics]] 1952; [[Master of Arts|M.A]] ([[Academic grading in India|First Class]]) in Economics, 1954 [[Panjab University, Chandigarh]] (then in [[Hoshiarpur]], Punjab), India<!-- not Punjab, see discussion but hoshiarpur is always in Punjab and was in Punjab even at that time -->

* Honours degree in Economics, [[University of Cambridge]] – [[St John's College, Cambridge|St John's College]] (1957)

* Director, [[Reserve Bank of India]] (1976–1980)

* Director, [[Industrial Development Bank of India]] (1976–1980)

*[[Economic Affairs Secretary|Secretary]], Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs), [[Government of India]], (1977–1980)

* [[Governor of Reserve Bank of India|Governor]], Reserve Bank of India (1982–1985)

* Secretary General, South Commission, Geneva (1987–1990)

* Advisor to [[Prime Minister of India]] on Economic Affairs (1990–1991)

* [[Minister of Finance (India)|Finance Minister of India]], (21 June 1991 – 15 May 1996)

* [[Leader of the Opposition (India)]] in the [[Rajya Sabha]] (1998–2004)

* [[Prime Minister of India]] (22 May 2004&nbsp;– 26 May 2014)

{{multiple image

| align    = right

|- style="background:#efefef;"

| 1952

| Panjab University, Chandigarh

|-

| 1954

| [[Panjab University, Chandigarh]] {Was then in [[Hoshiarpur]], Punjab}

|- style="background:#efefef;"

| 1955

| St. John's College, Cambridge, UK

|-

| 1956

| University of Cambridge, UK

|- style="background:#efefef;"

| 1957

| University of Cambridge, UK

|-

| 1976

| [[Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi|Jawaharlal Nehru University]], New Delhi

|- style="background:#efefef;"

| 1982

| Indian Institute of Bankers

|-

| 1982

| [[St John's College, Cambridge]]

|- style="background:#efefef;"

| 1985

| Indian Economic Association

|-

| 1986

| National Institute of Education

|- style="background:#efefef;"

| 1987

| [[Government of India]]

|-

| 1993

| Asiamoney

|- style="background:#efefef;"

| 1993

| [[Euromoney]]

|-

| 1994

| All India Management Association

|- style="background:#efefef;"

| 1994

| London School of Economics, Centre for Asia Economy, Politics and Society

|-

| 1994

| Nuffield College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

|- style="background:#efefef;"

| 1994

| London School of Economics, Centre for Asia Economy, Politics and Society

|-

| 1994

| Indian Science Congress Association.

|- style="background:#efefef;"

| 1994

| [[Asiamoney]]

|-

| 1995

| Indian Science Congress Association

|- style="background:#efefef;"

| 1996

| [[Delhi School of Economics]], [[University of Delhi]], Delhi

|-

| 1997

| [[Nihon Keizai Shimbun]] Inc.

|- style="background:#efefef;"

| 1997

| Justice K.S. Hegde Foundation

|-

| 1997

| Tilak Smarak Trust, Pune

|- style="background:#efefef;"

| 1999

| National Academy of Agricultural Sciences

|-

| 1999

| Shri R. Venkataraman, The Centenarian Trust

|- style="background:#efefef;"

| 2000

| Annasaheb Chirmule Trust

|-

| 2002

| [[Indian Parliamentary Group]]

|- style="background:#efefef;"

| World Statesman Award<ref name=worldstatesmanaward>{{cite news|last=PTI |title=Manmohan Singh honoured with 2010 World Statesman Award |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Americas/Manmohan-Singh-honoured-with-2010-World-Statesman-Award/Article1-603591.aspx |access-date=27 March 2012 |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=23 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509014458/http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Americas/Manmohan-Singh-honoured-with-2010-World-Statesman-Award/Article1-603591.aspx |archive-date=9 May 2013 }}</ref>

| Appeal of Conscience Foundation

| 2014

| Grand Cordon of the [[Order of the Paulownia Flowers]]<ref name=japanesegovernment>{{cite news|last=PTI|title=Manmohan Singh chosen for Japan national award|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/manmohan-singh-chosen-for-japan-national-award/article6560656.ece?homepage=true|access-date=3 November 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=3 November 2014}}</ref>

=== State honours ===

! class=unsortable                  | Ribbon

! style="width:8em"                | Country

|}

{{See also|:Category:Cultural depictions of Manmohan Singh}}

A Bollywood film was made in 2019 based on Singh's life,  titled ''[[The Accidental Prime Minister (film)|The Accidental Prime Minister]]'' directed by [[Vijay Gutte]] and written by Mayank Tewari.<ref>{{Cite news|date=8 June 2017|title=The Accidental Prime Minister first look: Anupam Kher 'overwhelmed' with response, writes personal thanks|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/anupam-kher-the-accidental-prime-minister-twitter-reaction-on-first-look-4694874/|access-date=19 March 2021|work=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> The film was based on the 2014 memoir of the [[The Accidental Prime Minister|same name]] by [[Sanjaya Baru]] with [[Anupam Kher]] in the titular role.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ghosh|first=Stutee|date=11 January 2019|title='The Accidental Prime Minister' Has More Than One Accidental Hero|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/the-accidental-prime-minister-review|access-date=19 March 2021|work=The Quint|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Thakur|first=Tanul|date=11 January 2019|title=Movie Review: The Accidental Prime Minister Is Made to Confirm Your Bias|url=https://thewire.in/film/the-accidental-prime-minister-movie-review|access-date=19 March 2021|work=The Wire}}</ref>

{{portal|Biography|India|Politics}}

* [[Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarship]] at the University of Cambridge

* [[United Progressive Alliance]]

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Wikiquote}}

* [http://archivepmo.nic.in/drmanmohansingh/ Prime Minister Manmohan Singh] ''Prime Ministers Office, Archived''

* [http://archivepmo.nic.in/drmanmohansingh/pmsteam.php Cabinet of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh] ''Prime Ministers Office, Archived''

* {{OL author}}

*{{IMDb name|id=5377693}}

[[Category:Punjab, India politicians]]

[[Category:Panjab University faculty]]

[[Category:Leaders of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha]]

[[Category:21st-century Indian economists]]