About
Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao (1921-2004) was the 9th Prime Minister of India, serving from June 1991 to May 1996. The first from South India and the first outside the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to complete a full five-year term, he is widely regarded as the architect of India's economic liberalisation, dismantling the Licence Raj and cutting average import tariffs from 85% to 25%. Previously, he served as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (1971-1973) and held several Union Cabinet portfolios. A polyglot and scholar, he spoke up to 17 languages and published literary translations. He established diplomatic relations with Israel, launched the Look East policy, and strengthened India's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
* 1921-06-28 — † 2004-12-23
Key milestones
- 1991Becomes Prime Minister of India and initiates major economic reforms.
- 1992Establishes diplomatic relations with Israel and launches the Look East policy.
- 2024Awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, posthumously.
Themes
Economic liberalisationConstitutional reformsForeign policyScholarship and multilingualismNuclear development
Sources: archivepmo.nic.in · britannica.com · pib.gov.in