Why this matters now
Narasimha Rao is tested for: the 24 July 1991 Industrial Policy + Manmohan Singh’s budget speech (“no power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come”); the rupee devaluation 1-3 July 1991 (Rs 20→Rs 25.95/USD, 18%); the 73rd + 74th Constitutional Amendments 1992 (Panchayati Raj + Nagarpalika); the “Look East” foreign policy 1991; the Babri Masjid demolition 6 December 1992 under his watch; and Bharat Ratna 2024 (posthumous).
Early life: polyglot scholar
Born on 28 June 1921 at Vangara village, Karimnagar district, Hyderabad State (now Telangana) to a Telugu Brahmin family. Osmania University LLB; polyglot fluent in 17 languages including Telugu, Marathi, Hindi, English, Spanish, French, Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Kannada, Tamil. Translated Tirumala Daddhi from Hindi to Telugu; novel The Insider 1998 (autobiographical).
Joined Congress 1957; Andhra Pradesh CM 1971-73; Union Home Minister 1984-86 + External Affairs 1980-84 + 1988-89 + Defence 1985 + HRD 1985-89; led India to UN Human Rights Commission Geneva defending Kashmir 1994.
PM 21 June 1991 - 16 May 1996
Picked by Congress as a compromise candidate after Rajiv Gandhi’s 21 May 1991 assassination — he was preparing to retire from politics. June 1991 Lok Sabha: Congress 244 (largest single party but short of majority). Won confidence vote 244 to 252 with outside support and defections.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 21 June 1991 | Sworn in PM. Manmohan Singh inducted as FM on 24 June. |
| 1-3 July 1991 | Rupee devalued 18.5% (Rs 20→Rs 25.95/USD) in two steps by RBI Gov S. Venkitaramanan. |
| 24 July 1991 | New Industrial Policy — ended License Raj (industrial licensing abolished for all but 18 industries; later 6); FDI eligible 51% (later 100%); MRTP Act diluted; PSE disinvestment begins. |
| 24 July 1991 | Budget speech by FM Manmohan Singh: “No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come” (Victor Hugo). |
| 1992 | Look East Policy — engaging ASEAN, Singapore. India ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner 1992. |
| 1992 | 73rd + 74th Constitutional Amendments — Panchayati Raj + Nagarpalika institutions; 33% women reservation; 5-year term. |
| 1992 | Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv opened — full diplomatic relations with Israel. |
| 6 Dec 1992 | Babri Masjid demolished by kar sevaks (BJP/RSS/VHP). Rao alleged to have been “asleep”; later prosecuted under JMM Bribery case. |
| 1993 | Securities scam (Harshad Mehta Rs 4000 cr); Mumbai serial blasts 12 March 1993 (257 killed). |
| 1994 | India joined the WTO (1995, GATT-Marrakesh). |
| 1995 | Trade with Israel + South Korea + Iran ramped; Nuclear test plan 1995 aborted due to US satellites + Western pressure. |
| 1996 | Lost LS to BJP-led NDA + Janata Front. Vajpayee 13-day PM. |
Legacy & Bharat Ratna 2024
Post-PM, JMM bribery case (1996) acquittal 2000; St. Kitts forgery case; Pathak case. Died 23 December 2004 at Delhi aged 83 of heart attack. Bharat Ratna posthumously 9 February 2024 — along with Charan Singh, M.S. Swaminathan, L.K. Advani, Karpoori Thakur. PV Memorial Park at Hyderabad; statue at Vasakuduvana Park.
UPSC angle
Know P.V. Narasimha Rao (b. Vangara village Karimnagar Hyderabad State 28 June 1921, d. Delhi 23 Dec 2004) — polyglot 17 languages (Telugu/Marathi/Hindi/English/Spanish/French/Sanskrit/Persian/Arabic/Urdu/Kannada/Tamil); Osmania LLB; Andhra Pradesh CM 1971-73; Union Home Min 1984-86 + EA 1980-84+1988-89 + Defence 1985 + HRD 1985-89; 9TH PM India FIRST SOUTH INDIAN 21 JUNE 1991 - 16 MAY 1996; chose Manmohan Singh as FM 24 June 1991; RUPEE DEVALUATION 1-3 July 1991 (Rs 20→Rs 25.95/USD 18.5% two steps RBI Gov Venkitaramanan); 24 JULY 1991 NEW INDUSTRIAL POLICY (ended License Raj all but 18 industries) + Manmohan Singh BUDGET SPEECH “no power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come” (Victor Hugo); LOOK EAST POLICY 1991 (India ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner 1992); 73RD+74TH CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS 1992 Panchayati Raj+Nagarpalika (33% women + 5-year); Israel embassy Tel Aviv 1992; BABRI MASJID DEMOLISHED 6 Dec 1992; Harshad Mehta scam 1993 + Mumbai blasts 12 March 1993 (257 killed); India joined WTO 1995 Marrakesh; nuclear test 1995 aborted US satellites; novel The Insider 1998; JMM bribery case 1996 acquitted 2000; BHARAT RATNA POSTHUMOUS 9 Feb 2024 (with Charan Singh + MS Swaminathan + LK Advani + Karpoori Thakur).
Frequently asked questions
What were the 1991 reforms?
Liberalisation (license raj ended 24 July 1991), Privatisation (PSE disinvestment), Globalisation (FDI eased, WTO joined 1995) — collectively LPG, by PM Narasimha Rao + FM Manmohan Singh.
What are the 73rd and 74th Amendments?
Passed 1992 under Narasimha Rao — constitutionalised Panchayati Raj and Nagarpalika local bodies with 33% women reservation, 5-year terms, SC/ST proportional reservation.
What is the Look East policy?
PM Narasimha Rao’s 1991 reorientation of Indian foreign policy toward ASEAN. India became ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner 1992; Modi upgraded to “Act East” 2014.
When was Narasimha Rao awarded the Bharat Ratna?
Posthumously on 9 February 2024 — along with Charan Singh, M.S. Swaminathan, L.K. Advani and Karpoori Thakur.