After a remarkable 33-year-long career in Parliament, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the architect of India’s economic reforms, bids farewell to his legislative journey. His journey is one of extraordinary transformation, from a humble upbringing in a village without electricity, where he famously studied under the dim light of kerosene lamps, to a distinguished academic and a reluctant yet accomplished politician, navigating the intricate landscape of Indian politics.
Renowned as a discerning economist, diligent thinker, and distinguished Indian politician, Dr. Manmohan Singh left an indelible mark on India’s political and economic landscape during his illustrious career. Serving as the thirteenth Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, he led the nation through two consecutive terms, representing the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Remarkably, he holds the distinction of being the third longest-serving Prime Minister in Indian history, following Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
Dr. Singh’s tenure as India’s Finance Minister in 1991 marked a watershed moment in the country’s economic trajectory, heralding a new era of economic reforms and liberalization policies. His astute policies and academic acumen played a pivotal role in reshaping India’s economic landscape, setting the stage for unprecedented growth and development.
Born on September 26, 1932, in Gah Village, Punjab, Dr. Singh hailed from a Sikh family. Following the Partition of India, his family relocated to Amritsar, where he pursued his education at Hindu College and Punjab University, earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics in 1952 and 1954, respectively. Subsequently, he pursued his academic pursuits at St. John’s College, Cambridge, completing his Tripos in Economics.
Returning to India, Dr. Singh embarked on a distinguished academic career, serving as a senior lecturer and later as a reader in Economics at Panjab University. His scholarly pursuits led him to Oxford University, where he obtained a Doctorate in Philosophy in 1962, focusing on India’s export performance and policy implications.
Dr. Singh’s professional journey saw him assume various roles of increasing responsibility and influence. He served as a Professor of International Trade at the University of Delhi and contributed to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) from 1966 to 1969. His expertise in economics led to key appointments in the Ministry of Finance, where he served as Chief Economic Advisor and later as Secretary.
Throughout the 1980s, Dr. Singh played pivotal roles in shaping India’s economic policies, serving with distinction in the Planning Commission and as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. He also contributed significantly to international economic discourse as the Deputy Chairman of the South Commission, based in Geneva.
In 1991, Dr. Singh’s career trajectory took a historic turn when he was appointed Finance Minister by Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. Tasked with navigating India through a precarious economic crisis, Dr. Singh’s visionary leadership and pragmatic reforms revitalized the economy, earning him widespread acclaim.
Dr. Singh’s tenure as Finance Minister paved the way for his ascension to the highest office in the land, as he assumed the role of Prime Minister in 2004. Over the next decade, his leadership steered India through a period of sustained growth and progress, leaving an indelible legacy of economic transformation and inclusive development.
In 1991, India confronted its most severe economic crisis since Independence. Triggered by the Gulf War of 1990-1991, soaring oil prices and a decline in remittances from Indians working abroad exacerbated the situation. The country grappled with a fiscal deficit of approximately 8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), coupled with a looming balance of payment crisis. The Current Account Deficit stood at around 3.5% of the GDP, while foreign reserves plummeted to a mere US$1 billion.
To address the unprecedented challenges, India sought financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under certain conditions. In response, the government embarked on a path of economic reform, dismantling the restrictive License Raj that had stifled economic growth for decades.
Under the leadership of Manmohan Singh, who served as Finance Minister at the time, the federal government initiated sweeping deregulation measures to reduce state control over the economy. Import tariffs were slashed, and efforts were made to devalue the Indian currency to enhance export competitiveness.
Singh’s tenure witnessed a series of policy reforms aimed at transitioning India from a socialist to a capitalist model. Licensing regulations were relaxed, tariffs and taxes were lowered, and barriers to international trade and investment were removed. Public monopolies were dismantled, paving the way for the flourishing of private enterprises.
Moreover, specific provisions of the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act were relaxed, allowing for increased foreign direct investment (FDI) up to 51%. Industrial licensing requirements were lifted for most sectors, with exceptions such as tobacco, alcohol, and hazardous chemicals.
The privatization of state-owned enterprises and the easing of FDI restrictions injected dynamism into the economy, leading to robust growth. The GDP growth rate surged from 3% in the pre-liberalization era to an impressive 8-9% in the post-liberalization period.
Despite the transformative impact of economic liberalization, the Narasimha Rao government faced electoral defeat in 1996 due to perceived shortcomings in critical sectors. Nonetheless, Manmohan Singh’s pivotal role in steering India towards a market economy earned him acclaim from figures like P. Chidambaram.
Over the years, Singh served in various capacities, including five consecutive terms as a member of the Rajya Sabha from the Assam legislature. He assumed the role of Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from 1998 to 2004, contesting and losing the Lok Sabha seat from the South Delhi Constituency in 1999.
Following the 2004 general elections, Singh’s economic acumen led Sonia Gandhi to appoint him as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Despite not holding a Lok Sabha seat, Singh’s reputation for integrity and expertise propelled him to the highest office in the land, marking the beginning of a transformative era in India’s economic trajectory.
Economic Growth: Collaborating with then Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, Manmohan Singh propelled India’s growth rate from 8-9% to a remarkable 9% by 2007, positioning India as the world’s second-fastest-growing economy.
National Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA): Under Singh’s leadership, the Ministry of Rural Development implemented the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in 2005, ensuring at least 100 days of employment to every rural household. This landmark social security scheme bolstered income security and livelihoods in rural areas.
Pro-Market and Pro-People Policies: Singh’s administration continued key infrastructure projects like the Golden Quadrilateral and modernization of highways, alongside reforms in the banking and financial sectors. Pro-industry policies alleviated farmer debt burdens and fostered industrial growth.
Value Added Tax (VAT): In 2005, Singh’s government replaced Sales Tax with the more streamlined and standardized Value Added Tax (VAT) system, simplifying tax procedures and enhancing compliance.
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM): Launched in 2005, the NRHM, spearheaded by Manmohan Singh, aimed to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to rural populations. Emphasizing community-based healthcare delivery, it addressed crucial determinants like water, nutrition, and education.
Reservation Policy: Singh’s government introduced 27% reservation for Other Backward Class (OBC) students in prestigious institutions like AIIMS, IITs, and IIMs, sparking nationwide debates. The Supreme Court upheld this decision in April 2008.
Right To Education Act (RTE): Enacted on July 2, 2009, under Singh’s leadership, the RTE Act made education a fundamental right for children aged 6-14, ensuring free and compulsory education.
Educational Initiatives: Eight new IITs were established across India, and the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan initiated by the Vajpayee government was continued, aiming to provide elementary education to all children and eradicate illiteracy.
National Investigation Agency (NIA): Established in 2008 under the National Investigation Act, the NIA was formed in response to the Mumbai terrorist attacks to combat terrorism and related activities, strengthening national security.
Counter-terrorism Efforts: Singh’s government amended the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to bolster anti-terrorism laws. While efforts to reduce terrorism in Kashmir were consistent, insurgencies in the region persisted, albeit with some decline in terrorist activities in the North-East.
During Manmohan Singh’s tenure, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) was established as a statutory body to issue 12-digit identity cards based on biometric data, enhancing national security and facilitating e-governance initiatives.
Several significant legislations were enacted, including the Right to Information Act of 2005, which empowered Indian citizens to seek information from public authorities, thereby enhancing government transparency and accountability.
In August 2013, the Rajya Sabha passed The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, ensuring reasonable compensation for families affected by land acquisition.
Manmohan Singh’s foreign policy, often referred to as the “Manmohan Doctrine,” emphasized economic cooperation, peace, stability, and strategic autonomy. Upholding principles of non-violence and non-alignment, he fostered strategic relations with neighboring countries and global powers, considering India’s developmental priorities.
Singh played a pivotal role in strengthening ties with the United States. Initiating the Indo-US civil nuclear deal in 2005, he negotiated agreements with then-President George W. Bush, leading to the signing of the Defense framework. This landmark agreement provided India access to nuclear fuel and technology, while India committed to separate its military and nuclear facilities and subject its nuclear reactors to IAEA supervision.
The Indo-US Nuclear deal, signed on August 1, 2008, granted India de facto nuclear status without signing the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), marking a significant milestone in India’s nuclear diplomacy. Despite facing criticism and opposition, Singh’s government survived a vote of confidence, underscoring the importance of the Indo-US relationship in India’s foreign policy agenda.
During Manmohan Singh’s tenure, relations with China flourished, with India becoming one of its major trading partners, reaching $36 billion in 2007. Notably, the Nathula Pass in Sikkim, closed since the Indo-Sino war in 1962, reopened after nearly four decades, showcasing diplomatic progress. Following Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit, bilateral relations advanced through his “ten-pronged strategies,” focusing on comprehensive development, institutional linkages, economic exchanges, mutual cooperation, defence collaboration, issue resolution, cross-border connectivity, science and technology cooperation, cultural ties, and regional/international cooperation. Sister-city partnerships between Delhi-Beijing, Kolkata-Kunming, and Bangalore-Chengdu were also established.
In terms of relations with Pakistan, Singh maintained continuity with Vajpayee’s policy, maintaining cordiality but without significant progress toward peace. Although the first bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad was initiated in 2005, substantial efforts to improve ties post the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks were lacking.
The India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership was signed in 2006, strengthening ties and leading to increased investments, particularly in infrastructure projects. Japan’s initiation of the “MALABAR” exercise in the Indian Ocean, joint military cooperation to combat terrorism, and offering low-interest loans for high-speed rail construction underscored the deepening relations.
Relations with Israel remained robust, marked by investments and cooperation. Stable ties were maintained with European countries, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, as well as with Brazil and African nations. The Indo-African summit of 2006 bolstered relations with African leaders, while negotiations on the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline continued.
Despite minor conflicts over delayed weapons deliveries, relations with Russia remained smooth, reflecting the enduring alliance between the two nations. Throughout Singh’s tenure, efforts were made to strengthen India’s diplomatic ties globally, fostering cooperation and stability across regions.
In his second term as Prime Minister, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) secured a majority in the 15th Lok Sabha elections, with support from parties like the Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party, among others. Manmohan Singh thus became the second Prime Minister of India, following Jawaharlal Nehru, to be elected for a second consecutive term.
However, in 2012, Singh faced allegations stemming from a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which accused him of causing a loss of 1.85 trillion by allocating coal mines to private players without proper bidding during his tenure as the coal minister. He was called to appear before the Joint Parliamentary Committee in the 2G case.
Following the 16th Lok Sabha elections in 2014, Singh resigned from the post of Prime Minister, concluding his tenure.
Despite these controversies, Singh received several awards and honors for his contributions:
Doctor of Civil Law Degree from the University of Oxford and Cambridge University in 2006
A Ph.D. scholarship named “Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarship” by St. John’s College, Cambridge University
Doctor of Letters from Benaras Hindu University in 2008
Honorary Doctorate Degree from Moscow State Institute of International Relations
Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development in 2017.
As he bids adieu to Parliament, Dr. Manmohan Singh leaves behind a legacy of statesmanship, integrity, and dedication to public service, inspiring generations to come. His remarkable journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, intellect, and unwavering commitment to the betterment of society.