Who Is Charan Singh? Age, Biography and Wiki
Charan Singh was born on December 23, 1902. As of 2025, he would have been 122 years old. He served as the Prime Minister of India from July 28, 1979, to January 14, 1980, making significant contributions to Indian agriculture and emphasizing the welfare of farmers. Charan Singh was a prominent political figure, known for his advocacy on behalf of rural communities and his vision of agricultural reform in India.
| Occupation | Prime Ministers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 23, 1902 |
| Age | 84 Years |
| Birth Place | Noorpur, United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, British India (present-day Uttar Pradesh, India) |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 29 May, 1987 |
| Died Place | New Delhi, Delhi, India |
Popularity
Charan Singh's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While detailed physical statistics of Charan Singh are not extensively documented, his presence was always commanding. He was known for his tall stature and dignified demeanor. However, specific numbers regarding height, weight, and body measurements have not been disclosed.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Charan Singh was married to Gayatri Devi in 1934, and their family included notable political figures. They had three children: a son and two daughters. Throughout his life, he maintained a focus on family and tradition, grounding his politics in the values instilled during his upbringing.
His father was a farmer belonging to the Tewatia clan of Jats. Singh started his primary education in Jani Khurd village in Meerut.
He did his Matriculation and Intermediate from the Government High School in 1921 and then he went to Agra College to pursue Bachelor of Science in 1923, Masters of Arts in History (British, European and Indian) in 1925. He then did Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Meerut College in 1927.
Singh have knowledge about European and Indian history as well as civil laws of British India as it affected the lives of village peoples.
Net Worth and Salary
The net worth of Charan Singh during his lifetime was considerably less than the political magnates of today, but he is remembered as a significant figure in Indian politics. His income was primarily derived from his political career and various investments made during his productive years.
Between 1952 and 1968, he was one of "three principal leaders in Congress state politics." He became particularly notable in Uttar Pradesh from the 1950s for drafting and ensuring the passage of what were then the most revolutionary land reform laws in any state in India under the tutelage of the then Chief Minister Govind Ballabh Pant; first as Pa
rliamentary Secretary and then as Revenue Minister responsible for Land Reforms.
He became visible on the national stage from 1959 when he publicly opposed the unquestioned leader and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's socialistic and collectivist land policies in the Nagpur Congress Session.
Though his position in the faction-ridden Uttar Pradesh Congress was weakened, this was a point when the middle peasant communities across castes in North India began looking up to him as their spokesperson and later as their unquestioned leader.
Singh stood for tight government spending, enforced consequences for corrupt officers, and advocated a "firm hand in dealing with the demands of government employees for increased wages and dearness allowances." It is also worth noting that within the factional Uttar Pradesh Congress, his ability to articulate his clear policies and values made him
stand out from his colleagues.
Following this period, Charan Singh defected from the Congress on 1 April 1967, joined the opposition party, and became the first non-Congress chief minister of UP. This was a period when non-Congress governments were a strong force in India from 1967 to 1971.
Career, Business and Investments
Charan Singh's career spanned several decades, beginning in the early 1930s when he was active in the Indian independence movement. He was the founder of the Bharatiya Kranti Dal and played a pivotal role in agricultural policies after Independence. His government focused on empowering farmers through land reforms and the establishment of cooperatives. Singh's investments in agricultural projects provided a foundation for modern farming in India.
Charan Singh opposed Jawaharlal Nehru on his Soviet-style economic reforms. Charan Singh was of the opinion that cooperative farms would not succeed in India. Being a son of a farmer, Charan Singh opined that the right of ownership was important to the farmer in remaining a cultivator.
He wanted to preserve and stabilise a system of peasant proprietorship. Charan Singh's political career suffered due to his open criticism of Nehru's economic policy.
Social Network
Charan Singh was well-connected within the political landscape of India. Though he passed away on May 29, 1987, his legacy continues through various political groups and farmer organizations dedicated to his vision for Indian agriculture.
Charan Singh for the first time, became Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh on 3 April 1967 with the help of Samyukta Vidhayak Dal coalition. Samyukta Vidhayak Dal was formed after failure of negotiations between Charan Singh and Chandra Bhanu Gupta on the composition of Gupta's ministry.
Singh wanted some of his allies like Jai Ram Varma and Udit Narain Sharma to be included in the cabinet and removal of some of the men from the cabinet. As a result of failure of negotiations, Charan Singh with his 16 MLAs defected from Congress.
Education
Charan Singh attended Aligarh Muslim University where he received a degree in law before entering politics. His education played a crucial role in shaping his views on social justice and the importance of agrarian rights, which would influence his policies as a leader.
He graduated from Agra College in 1923 with a Bachelor of Science degree, and then pursued Master of Arts in history in 1925. In 1927 he completed his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Meerut College.
