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Chandra Shekhar
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Chandra Shekhar

चन्द्रशेखर

Prime Minister of India (1990-1991)

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Chandra Shekhar (17 April 1927 – 8 July 2007) was an Indian politician and the prime minister of India, between 10 November 1990 and 21 June 1991. He headed a minority government of a breakaway faction of the Janata Dal with outside support from the Indian National Congress. He was the second Indian Prime Minister who had never held any prior government office.

Quick facts

Born
wd
Place of birth
Ibrahimpatti wd
Died
wd
Place of death
New Delhi wd
Citizenship
British Raj, India wd
Occupation
politician wd
Political party
Samajwadi Janata Party ( Rashtriya) (1990–2007), Janata Party (1977–1988), Indian National Congress (1964–1975), Congress Socialist Party (until 1964) wd
Education
University of Allahabad wd

Positions held wd

  • Member of the 13th Lok Sabha (10 October 1999 – 6 February 2004)
  • Member of the 12th Lok Sabha (10 March 1998 – 26 April 1999)
  • Member of the 11th Lok Sabha (15 May 1996 – 4 December 1997)
  • Minister of External Affairs (20 February 1991 – 21 June 1991)
  • Prime Minister of India (10 November 1990 – 21 June 1991)
  • Member of the 9th Lok Sabha (2 December 1989 – 13 March 1991)
  • Member of the Lok Sabha (2 December 1989 – 8 July 2007)
  • Member of the Lok Sabha (22 March 1977 – 31 October 1984)
  • member of Rajya Sabha (since 1962)
  • Member of the 7th Lok Sabha

Awards wd

  • Outstanding Parliamentarian Award (1995)
  • Banga Bibhushan (1995)

About

His government was formed with the fewest party MPs in the Lok Sabha. His government could not pass the budget at a crucial time when Moody's had downgraded India's credit rating, after Shekhar's government was unable to pass the budget, global credit-rating agencies further downgraded India from investment grade, making it impossible to even get short-term loans, and in no position to give any commitment to reform, the World Bank and IMF stopped their assistance. Shekhar had to authorise the mortgaging of gold to avoid default of payment, and this action came in for particular criticism, as it was done secretly in the midst of the election. The 1991 Indian economic crisis and the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi plunged his government into crisis. Granting the permission for US military planes to refuel at Indian airports during the Gulf War improved the Prime Minister's image with the West.

Questions

When was Chandra Shekhar born?
Chandra Shekhar was born on 17 April 1927 in Ibrahimpatti.
What positions has Chandra Shekhar held?
Positions held by Chandra Shekhar include: Member of the 13th Lok Sabha (1999–2004); Member of the 12th Lok Sabha (1998–1999); Member of the 11th Lok Sabha (1996–1997); Minister of External Affairs (1991–1991); Prime Minister of India (1990–1991).
Where did Chandra Shekhar study?
Chandra Shekhar was educated at University of Allahabad.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia (English): Chandra Shekhar · CC BY-SA 4.0
  2. Wikipedia (Nepali): चन्द्रशेखर · CC BY-SA 4.0
  3. Wikidata item Q334279 · CC0 1.0
  4. Image: PM Chandra Shekhar at ThakurJi Pathak home(cropped).jpg by CoastShine (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Last updated · facts checked 7 November 2026

Cite this page

"Chandra Shekhar". DigiNepal. Last updated 31 October 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/chandra-shekhar. Retrieved 7 November 2026.

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Text from the Wikipedia article Chandra Shekhar, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: PM Chandra Shekhar at ThakurJi Pathak home(cropped).jpg — CoastShine, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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