P. V. Narasimha Rao
Prime Minister who launched India’s 1991 economic reforms
- Lived
- 83 yrs
- 1921 – 2004
- Works listed
- 1
- Novel
- Honours
- 1
- Most recent 2024
- Profile views
- 0
- 0 followers
P. V. Narasimha Rao was the ninth Prime Minister of India, from 1991 to 1996. With finance minister Manmohan Singh, he launched the economic reforms that opened India’s economy. A scholar who spoke many languages, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2024.
Biography
Scholar-politician
Narasimha Rao studied law and took part in the struggle against the Nizam of Hyderabad. He was Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from 1971 to 1973 and later held key ministries in the central government, including external affairs, home and defence. He was known for speaking many languages and translated literature between Telugu and Marathi.
Prime Minister in a crisis
He became Prime Minister in June 1991, at a time of a severe balance-of-payments crisis. With Manmohan Singh as finance minister, his government devalued the rupee, cut licensing controls and opened India to foreign investment, transforming the economy.
Foreign policy
He launched the Look East policy towards Southeast Asia and established full diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992. His government also faced the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 and the riots that followed, which remain a controversial part of his record.
Legacy
After leaving office he was largely sidelined by his party, and he died in Delhi on 23 December 2004. Historians increasingly credit him as an architect of modern India’s economy, and he was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2024.
Timeline
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1921
Born in Laknepalli, Hyderabad State (now Telangana)
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1971
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
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1991
Becomes Prime Minister; economic reforms
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1992
Full diplomatic relations with Israel
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1996
Leaves office
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2004
Dies in Delhi
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2024
Bharat Ratna
-
2004
Died, aged 83
Notable works
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1998
The Insider Novel
Awards and honours
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Bharat Ratna
2024 · Posthumous.
Did you know?
-
1
He reportedly spoke more than a dozen languages.
-
2
He wrote a semi-autobiographical novel, The Insider.
-
3
He chose Manmohan Singh as finance minister in 1991.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is P. V. Narasimha Rao?
P. V. Narasimha Rao was the ninth Prime Minister of India, from 1991 to 1996. With finance minister Manmohan Singh, he launched the economic reforms that opened India’s economy. A scholar who spoke many languages, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2024.
When did P. V. Narasimha Rao die?
P. V. Narasimha Rao died on 23 December 2004 at the age of 83.
Where is P. V. Narasimha Rao from?
P. V. Narasimha Rao was born in Laknepalli, Hyderabad State (now Telangana).
What is P. V. Narasimha Rao known for?
P. V. Narasimha Rao is best known for The 1991 liberalisation; the Look East policy; Prime Minister 1991–1996.
What awards has P. V. Narasimha Rao received?
Notable honours include Bharat Ratna (2024).
References
- P. V. Narasimha Rao — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- P. V. Narasimha Rao — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- P. V. Narasimha Rao — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- P. V. Narasimha Rao (Q275146) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “P. V. Narasimha Rao”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 2 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“P. V. Narasimha Rao.” TrackFame, last updated 3 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/p-v-narasimha-rao
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