Dr. Manmohan Singh is a respected leader and economist who served as the Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014. Before becoming Prime Minister, he was India’s Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996, where he played a major role in changing India’s economy.
Top GK MCQs About Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
Question 1: What is Dr. Manmohan Singh widely credited with during his tenure as Finance Minister in 1991?
A. Introducing the Goods and Services Tax (GST)
B. Opening up the Indian economy through liberalization
C. Nationalizing major industries
D. Establishing the NITI Aayog
Answer: B. Opening up the Indian economy through liberalization
Question 2: Dr. Manmohan Singh was the first Prime Minister of India from which religious community?
A. Hindu
B. Sikh
C. Christian
D. Muslim
Answer: B. Sikh
Question 3: Which act, aimed at ensuring employment for rural households, was introduced during Dr. Manmohan Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister?
A. Right to Education Act
B. National Food Security Act
C. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
D. Right to Information Act
Answer: C. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
Question 4: Dr. Manmohan Singh completed his doctoral studies in economics at which university?
A. Harvard University
B. Cambridge University
C. Oxford University
D. Stanford University
Answer: C. Oxford University
Question 5: Which landmark agreement was signed during Dr. Manmohan Singh’s tenure to strengthen India-US relations?
A. India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement
B. Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
C. Indo-US Strategic Defense Pact
D. Green Revolution Pact
Answer: A. India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement
Question 6: Dr. Manmohan Singh served as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India during which period?
A. 1975–1978
B. 1982–1985
C. 1991–1995
D. 1988–1991
Answer: B. 1982–1985
Question 7 Which of the following laws aimed at increasing transparency in governance was introduced during Dr. Manmohan Singh’s tenure?
A. Prevention of Corruption Act
B. Right to Information Act
C. Whistleblower Protection Act
D. Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act
Answer: B. Right to Information Act
8. Dr. Manmohan Singh was born in which region?
A. Punjab, India
B. Punjab, Pakistan
C. Delhi, India
D. Lahore, Pakistan
Answer: B. Punjab, Pakistan
9. Where did Dr. Manmohan Singh complete his doctorate in economics?
A. Cambridge University
B. Oxford University
C. Harvard University
D. Stanford University
Answer: B. Oxford University
10. What was the subject of Dr. Manmohan Singh’s doctoral thesis?
A. Agricultural Economics
B. India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth
C. Global Trade Policies and their Impact
D. Developmental Economics in Emerging Markets
Answer: B. India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth
11. In which year did Dr. Manmohan Singh become the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India?
A. 1975
B. 1980
C. 1982
D. 1985
Answer: C. 1982
12. Which international organization did Dr. Manmohan Singh work for in the 1960s?
A. World Bank
B. International Monetary Fund (IMF)
C. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
D. World Trade Organization (WTO)
Answer: C. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
13. Dr. Manmohan Singh served as Economic Advisor to which ministry in 1972?
A. Ministry of Finance
B. Ministry of Foreign Trade
C. Ministry of Agriculture
D. Ministry of Home Affairs
Answer: B. Ministry of Foreign Trade
14. During the 1991 economic crisis, Dr. Manmohan Singh was appointed as the Finance Minister by which Prime Minister?
A. Rajiv Gandhi
B. P.V. Narasimha Rao
C. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
D. Indira Gandhi
Answer: B. P.V. Narasimha Rao
15. Which of the following was NOT a key reform introduced by Dr. Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister in 1991?
A. De-licensing industries
B. Lowering import tariffs
C. Nationalizing private banks
D. Encouraging foreign direct investment (FDI)
Answer: C. Nationalizing private banks
16. What was a major challenge faced by Dr. Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister in 1991?
A. Oil price surge
B. Balance of payments crisis
C. Agricultural failure
D. Political instability
Answer: B. Balance of payments crisis
17. When did Dr. Manmohan Singh become the Prime Minister of India?
A. 2002
B. 2004
C. 2006
D. 2009
Answer: B. 2004
18. Which social welfare program was launched during Dr. Manmohan Singh’s tenure?
A. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
B. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
C. Digital India Initiative
D. Make in India
Answer: B. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
19. The India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement was signed during which year of Dr. Manmohan Singh’s tenure?
A. 2005
B. 2006
C. 2008
D. 2010
Answer: C. 2008
20. Which act introduced under Dr. Manmohan Singh’s leadership ensures free education for children aged 6 to 14 years?
A. Right to Education Act
B. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
C. National Literacy Mission
D. Education for All Initiative
Answer: A. Right to Education Act
21. What was a major criticism of Dr. Manmohan Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister?
A. Economic downturn
B. Corruption scandals like 2G and Coalgate
C. Lack of foreign policy initiatives
D. Political instability
Answer: B. Corruption scandals like 2G and Coalgate
22. Which legislation introduced during Dr. Manmohan Singh’s tenure aimed at ensuring food security for the poor?
A. National Food Security Act
B. Public Distribution System Act
C. Antyodaya Anna Yojana
D. Mid-Day Meal Scheme
Answer: A. National Food Security Act
23. Which of the following is a major recognition Dr. Manmohan Singh received during his career?
A. Bharat Ratna
B. Padma Vibhushan
C. Nobel Prize in Economics
D. Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding
Answer: B. Padma Vibhushan
24. Dr. Manmohan Singh represented which state in the Rajya Sabha for most of his political career?
A. Punjab
B. Rajasthan
C. Assam
D. Haryana
Answer: C. Assam
25. Dr. Manmohan Singh is often referred to as the architect of which major economic transformation in India?
A. The Green Revolution
B. The 1991 Economic Liberalization
C. Digital India Movement
D. The Demonetization Initiative
Answer: B. The 1991 Economic Liberalization
26. In which year did Dr. Manmohan Singh step down as Prime Minister?
A. 2012
B. 2013
C. 2014
D. 2015
Answer: C. 2014
27. Dr. Manmohan Singh celebrated his 90th birthday in which year?
A. 2019
B. 2021
C. 2022
D. 2023
Answer: C. 2022
What is Dr. Manmohan Singh’s date of birth?
A. September 14, 1930
B. September 26, 1932
C. October 5, 1935
D. November 12, 1934
Answer: B. September 26, 1932
Dr. Manmohan Singh moved to India during which significant event in history?
A. The Quit India Movement
B. The Partition of India
C. The Emergency
D. The Green Revolution
Answer: B. The Partition of India
Dr. Manmohan Singh served as a professor at which university before entering public service?
A. Delhi University
B. Panjab University
C. Jawaharlal Nehru University
D. London School of Economics
Answer: B. Panjab University
Dr. Manmohan Singh was appointed as the Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India in which year?
A. 1972
B. 1975
C. 1980
D. 1982
Answer: A. 1972
What was a primary goal of the 1991 economic reforms led by Dr. Manmohan Singh?
A. Strengthening the public sector
B. Reducing India’s fiscal deficit and attracting foreign investment
C. Nationalizing private industries
D. Expanding agricultural subsidies
Answer: B. Reducing India’s fiscal deficit and attracting foreign investment
Which tax reform was conceptualized during Dr. Manmohan Singh’s tenure but implemented later?
A. Goods and Services Tax (GST)
B. Corporate Tax Reduction
C. Agricultural Tax Exemption
D. Wealth Tax
Answer: A. Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Dr. Manmohan Singh’s government launched which mission to promote clean energy and sustainable development?
A. National Solar Mission
B. Mission Green India
C. Clean Energy Mission
D. Swachh Bharat Mission
Answer: A. National Solar Mission
The Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement helped India in which significant way?
A. Gaining UN Security Council membership
B. Securing access to nuclear technology for civilian use
C. Strengthening its missile defense system
D. Expanding trade with Europe
Answer: B. Securing access to nuclear technology for civilian use
Which space mission was successfully launched during Dr. Manmohan Singh’s tenure?
A. Chandrayaan-1
B. Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission)
C. Chandrayaan-2
D. Gaganyaan
Answer: A. Chandrayaan-1
Which legislation was introduced during Dr. Manmohan Singh’s tenure to protect women from domestic violence?
A. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
B. Women’s Reservation Bill
C. Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act
D. Dowry Prohibition Act Amendment
Answer: A. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
What global financial event posed a challenge to Dr. Manmohan Singh’s government in 2008?
A. Asian Financial Crisis
B. Global Financial Crisis
C. Indian Rupee Crisis
D. Eurozone Debt Crisis
Answer: B. Global Financial Crisis
Which major corruption scandal emerged during Dr. Manmohan Singh’s second term as Prime Minister?
A. 2G Spectrum Scam
B. Bofors Scandal
C. Commonwealth Games Scam
D. Coal Allocation Scam (Coalgate)
Answer: A. 2G Spectrum Scam
What was a common criticism of Dr. Manmohan Singh during his tenure as Prime Minister?
A. Authoritarian leadership
B. Lack of communication and decisive action
C. Economic mismanagement
D. High unemployment rates
Answer: B. Lack of communication and decisive action
Dr. Manmohan Singh was elected to the Rajya Sabha from which state in 2019?
A. Assam
B. Punjab
C. Rajasthan
D. Gujarat
Answer: C. Rajasthan
What quality of Dr. Manmohan Singh earned him widespread respect across political circles?
A. Aggressive leadership style
B. Personal integrity and humility
C. Military background
D. Diplomatic skills
Answer: B. Personal integrity and humility
Dr. Manmohan Singh is often referred to by which of the following titles?
A. Father of Indian Green Revolution
B. Architect of Modern India
C. Architect of Indian Economic Reforms
D. Champion of Digital India
Answer: C. Architect of Indian Economic Reforms
Which of the following books provides insight into Dr. Manmohan Singh’s thoughts and policies?
A. “India After Gandhi”
B. “The Accidental Prime Minister”
C. “India 2020”
D. “My Experiments with Truth”
Answer: B. “The Accidental Prime Minister”
Which of the following roles has Dr. Manmohan Singh NOT held during his career?
A. Governor of the Reserve Bank of India
B. Finance Minister of India
C. Minister of External Affairs
D. Prime Minister of India
Answer: C. Minister of External Affairs
