India, recognized as the world’s largest democracy, continues to set global standards with its impressive political structure and governance. As of 2004, Dr. Manmohan Singh, a seasoned economist, has served as the country’s 14th Prime Minister. He is not only the first Sikh to hold the position but also one of the oldest leaders in the world, aged 79.
With an estimated population of 1.2 billion, India remains the second most populous country after China, making its electorate the largest in the world. In the 2009 national election alone, India had a staggering 714 million voters—surpassing the combined electorates of the United States and the European Union.
India’s political framework is rooted in its bicameral Parliament, known as the Sansad. The Rajya Sabha, the upper house, consists of 245 seats, while the Lok Sabha, or People’s Assembly, has 545 seats, representing the diverse and populous nation.
Dr. Singh, who holds degrees from prestigious institutions such as Cambridge and Oxford, earned his doctorate in Economics from Oxford’s Nuffield College in 1962. Prior to becoming Prime Minister, he served as the governor of India’s Central Bank, the Reserve Bank of India. His leadership continues to guide the world’s largest democracy in its mission to foster development, inclusivity, and democratic values.
