Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the architect of India’s economic reforms in the 90s, passed away at 92 on Thursday. Singh was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, on Thursday evening after he suddenly lost consciousness at his home.

The government announced that Singh’s last rites will be performed with full state honours, and a national mourning for seven days will be observed. Congress-ruled governments in Karnataka and Telangana have declared a holiday on December 27.

The soft-spoken Singh was often derided by his opponents as “Maun (silent) Mohan Singh,” but he was known to act with firm resolve if the situation demanded it. The Congress itself got a glimpse of it in 2008 when Singh risked the survival of his own government by going ahead with the Indo-US nuclear deal despite stiff opposition from the Left parties on whose support he depended, and against reservations within the Congress.

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Singh, who headed UPA I and UPA II governments from 2004 to 2014, had famously said, “history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media, or for that matter, the Opposition parties in Parliament.” His quip came during an interaction with over 60 journalists in January 2014. Singh, who faced intense criticism over multiple corruption cases that dogged the UPA II government, had said that taking into account the circumstances and the compulsions of a coalition polity, he had done the best he could. The BJP had then, however, dubbed the 10-year-long tenure of Singh as a “wasted opportunity.”

In an obvious reference to Singh’s prophetic words, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said on Thursday, “Undoubtedly, history shall judge you kindly, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji!.” Kharge also hailed Singh as “a visionary statesman, a leader of unimpeachable integrity, and an economist of unparalleled stature.”

Singh had not been well for quite some time, and after his retirement from the Rajya Sabha in April this year, had not been attending public events. In August last year, he had attended the Monsoon Session of Parliament in a wheelchair.

Artchitect of economic reforms

Singh is known for having introduced a number of bold economic reforms as Finance Minister in P.V. Narasimha Rao’s government in 1991 when India was grappling with a severe balance of payment crisis. The fiscal deficit was close to 8.5 per cent of the GDP and foreign reserves were just enough to pay for two weeks of imports. It was in such trying times that Singh initiated the economic reforms and revived the economy.

Many recall how Singh, in his first speech as Finance Minister in Parliament, had quoted French writer-politician Victor Hugo to hammer home the point that no power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come.

In her book How Prime Ministers Decide, journalist-author Neerja Chowdhury refers to Singh as “the underrated Prime Minister, who triumphed.” She adds: “An economist amongst politicians and a politician amongst economists—that is how Manmohan Singh was known in political circles. When he became finance minister—and prime minister in 2004—he was seen as a renowned economist, but a political novice. Later he was hailed as the author of economic reforms.”

Once he became Prime Minister, Singh presided over an expanding economy with a higher growth trajectory during his first term in office.

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Humble beginnings

Singh was born in a small village Gah (now in Pakistan) in 1932, which had no electricity, no school, and no health facility. The young Manmohan had to walk miles to reach his Urdu medium school. Winning scholarships, Singh studied in Cambridge and Oxford. He joined government service in 1971 and went on to become the Chief Economic Advsior; Secretary in the Ministry of Finance; Governor of the RBI; and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, before becoming the Finance Minister in the Rao government. Interestingly, Singh, who served as RBI Governor in 1982 under the then-Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, later appointed Mukherjee as Finance Minister in 2009.

Singh had to always take the Rajya Sabha route to go to Parliament and could not win the lone Lok Sabha election he contested from South Delhi in 1999. Singh was the only Sikh Prime Minister the country has had so far.

Not an automatic choice

Singh became Prime Minister in 2004 under dramatic circumstances after Sonia Gandhi, facing a controversy over her foreign origin, said no to the top post. But Gandhi, the then-Congress President and as the Chairman of the National Advisory Council, wielded immense power over the coalition government headed by Singh.

This led to a barrage of criticism, and Sanjaya Baru, Singh’s media advisor and chief spokesperson of the Prime Minister from May 2004 to August 2008, later wrote a controversial book The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh. The former Prime Minister had distanced himself from Baru and his work but the book offered enough ammunition to the BJP-led Opposition to target Congress for years.

Addressing the Parliament on his last day as Prime Minister in May 2014, Singh had said: “As I have said on many occasions, my life and tenure in public office are an open book. I have always tried to do my best in serving this great nation of ours.”

Says Neerja Chowdhury: “He preferred to be a blade of grass, which bends when the storm comes, rather than the tree, which stands up straight and falls. That is why he lasted for ten years.” She recognises that Singh took enormous risks and put his government in jeopardy when it came to signing the nuclear deal but demonstrated that he could get his way.

Pranab Mukherjee recalls Singh as a “strong nationalist and a man of courage and conviction”. In his book The Coalition Years 1996-2012 that he penned after demitting the office of the President of India, Mukherjee says: “Singh was certainly not an accidental Prime Minister… Notwithstanding the debate regarding his appointment as prime minister, there could have been no one more experienced in economic policy making than Manmohan Singh… History will be kind to Manmohan Singh. It will remember him as the finance minister, who launched India’s economic reforms in 1991, and the Prime Minister, who presided over 8.5% GDP growth for most of a decade.”

‘Mentor and guide’

Condoling Singh’s death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “…rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years. His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives.”

Rahul Gandhi said he lost a “mentor and guide” and recalled the “immense wisdom and integrity” with which Singh led India. Former Haryana Chief Minister and Congress veteran Bhupinder Singh Hooda said, “Singh, a great economist of the world, a pioneer of economic reforms in India and one who, through his work, took the country forward on the path of progress and gave it a distinct identity across the world.”

Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi described him as “the father of India’s economic revolution” and a “perfect gentleman”.

Manmohan Singh Passes Away: RBI Governor, Union Finance Minister, and two time Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday, 26 December.

Dr Manmohan Singh, who served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and as Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996, is widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic liberalisation.

Manmohan Singh’s policies transformed the Indian economy, steering it towards a market-driven model and integrating it into the global economy. Here are five major reforms that defined his tenure and legacy.

1. Abolition of the Licence Raj

One of Manmohan Singh‘s most significant reforms was the dismantling of the Licence Raj, a complex system of permits and regulations that stifled private enterprise and economic growth.

This reform was crucial during the economic crisis of 1991 when India faced severe balance of payments issues. Manmohan Singh’s decision to abolish these restrictions allowed for greater freedom in business operations, encouraging entrepreneurship and attracting foreign investment.

As he noted, “We were importing significantly more than we were exporting, and our foreign exchange reserves were critically low.”

2. Trade Liberalisation and Import Tariff Reduction

Manmohan Singh’s policies included substantial reductions in import tariffs, which facilitated trade and made foreign goods more accessible to Indian consumers.

By slashing tariffs from over 300% to around 50%, De. Manmohan Singh opened up the Indian market to global competition. This move not only benefited consumers through lower prices but also stimulated domestic industries to innovate and improve their products.

The introduction of these measures marked a significant shift towards a more open economy.

3. Encouragement of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Under Manmohan Singh’s leadership, India saw a remarkable increase in foreign direct investment. His government implemented policies that eased restrictions on FDI across various sectors, including telecommunications, insurance, and retail.

This influx of foreign capital not only bolstered economic growth but also created jobs and improved infrastructure. Manmohan Singh’s approach to FDI was instrumental in positioning India as an attractive destination for international investors.

4. Tax Reforms

Dr Manmohan Singh introduced comprehensive tax reforms aimed at broadening the tax base and simplifying the tax structure. He raised the income tax exemption limit while reducing the number of tax slabs from four to three, which made compliance easier for taxpayers.

Additionally, Manmohan Singh lowered the maximum marginal rate of personal income tax from 56% to 40%. These reforms improved revenue generation for the government while fostering a more conducive environment for economic activity.

5. National Food Security Act

During his tenure as Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh championed social welfare initiatives, including the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in 2013. This landmark legislation aimed to provide subsidised food grains to nearly two-thirds of India’s population, ensuring that food security became a fundamental right for citizens.

The NFSA represented a significant step towards addressing hunger and malnutrition in India, highlighting Singh’s commitment to social equity alongside economic growth.

Manmohan Singh, India’s former Prime Minister, who was also known as the ‘architect of India’s economic liberalisation,’ passed away on Thursday. He breathed his last at the AIIMS New Delhi emergency ward, after being in ‘critical condition.’

Manmohan Singh retired from the Rajya Sabha in April 2024. Despite his age-related illness, Singh attended some sessions of Parliament in a wheelchair — a rare display of dedication by the 92-year-old academician and economic strategist.

Manmohan Singh entered politics in June 1991 when he joined the Congress. He was appointed Finance Minister by then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao.

Manmohan Singh is known for introducing a series of bold reforms to revive and transform India’s economy. Apart from being an economist, he served as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor from 1982-1985. The 92-year-old was also one of the only four top level bureaucrats, and finance ministers who later went on to become the Prime Minister of India.

Manmohan Singh’s expanse of knowledge

In addition to being credited with economic reforms and policies, Manmohan Singh was known for his witty speeches in Parliament and interviews that set him apart from his contemporaries. Be it responding to criticism or quoting French author Hugo for his maiden speech, the former PM’s speeches weaved in quotes from former US Presidents, highlighting his vast knowledge. His knowledge of Urdu poetry is also known. Singh used to make his point by citing Urdu couplets in Parliament.

In his maiden speech as Finance Minister in Parliament on July 24, 1991, Manmohan Singh famously quoted the French writer and politician Victor Hugo, saying, “No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come.”

Thirty years later, on the anniversary of economic liberalisation on July 23 2021, Manmohan Singh recalled Robert Frost’s poem, “But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep”.

Manmohan Singh’s tenure in 2004 and 2009

During the UPA-I tenure in 2004, the average annual GDP growth rate under Manmohan Singh was 8.3 per cent, a figure that had never been reached in any prior five-year period. Renowned economist Isher Judge Ahluwalia, in her column on Mint, stated that while luck was definitely at work, India also had to thank Manmohan Singh for the reforms undertaken in 1991.

However, before India could reap the benefits of the seeds by Manmohan Singh the UPA-II government was cornered into what began to be called ‘policy paralysis,’ stated Ahluwalia.

Manmohan Singh’s academic achievements

The former PM has achieved a string of degrees. From bagging a first class from Cambridge University to securing a first class even in matriculation, Manmohan Singh bagged it all.

Manmohan Singh completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics at Panjab University in 1952 and 1954, respectively, and earned his Economic Tripos from Cambridge University in 1957. He then went on to complete a D.Phil in Economics at Oxford University in 1962.

Following his academic achievements, Singh taught at Panjab University and the Delhi School of Economics. In 1971, he joined the Government of India as an Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Commerce, and in 1972, he was promoted to Chief Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance.