Manmohan is credited as the main architect behind the 1991 economic reforms when the country was in deep distress. During Economic crisis, P.V Narasimha Rao surprisingly appointed him as Finance minister. It flabbergasted many as an apolitical man was appointed as FM of India. Earlier he held a various post of importance under the government of India, He was Chief Economic Advisor(1972-76) and governor of Reserve Bank of India(1982-85) Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of India, (1985–1987) and chief Financing officer in UNCTAD in 1966 are few of his notable positions.

He is considered as one among the honest prime ministers of India. But his second term as Prime minister was known for bad reasons such as 2G scam, Adarsh scam, Commonwealth scam, and Coalgate. Manmohan Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister is known for healthy economic growth rates and improving trade relations and political ties with the United States and Pakistan respectively. He is mainly known for liberalization of the Indian economy, and his sanctioning of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the Right to Information Act by Parliament, and the Indo-US civilian nuclear.

He has been bestowed with many awards by India as well as across the world. He had been presented Padma Vibhushan Award in the year 1987 the second highest civilian award of the country.