Former PM Manmohan Singh dies at 92

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, 92, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on Thursday. The economist was admitted to the emergency department of the hospital at 8 pm today. The reason behind his death is still not known.

Dr Manmohan Singh served as the 14^th Prime Minister of India. He was acknowledged as the architect of economic reforms in the country.

Sworn in as Prime Minister on May 22, 2004, Singh served two consecutive terms until May 26, 2014. Leading the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for a total of 3,656 days, he became India’s third longest-serving Prime Minister, following Jawaharlal Nehru (6,130 days) and Indira Gandhi (5,829 days).

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Born on September 26, 1932, in Gah village, West Punjab (now in Pakistan), Singh earned a Master’s degree in Economics from Panjab University, Chandigarh, and went on to obtain a doctorate from the University of Oxford.

His career in government service was both extensive and distinguished. He began as the Economic Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Trade in 1971 during Indira Gandhi's tenure. In 1972, he was appointed Chief Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance, a role he held until 1976.

From 1976 to 1980, Singh held several pivotal positions, reflecting his expertise in economic and financial governance. He served as Director of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Industrial Development Bank of India. He also represented India as the Alternate Governor on the Boards of Governors for both the Asian Development Bank in Manila and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

Additionally, Singh played critical roles as Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance and as Member (Finance) on the Atomic Energy Commission and the Space Commission.