Who was the first Finance Minister to present a budget after economic liberalization in India?

The first Finance Minister to present a budget after economic liberalization in India was Dr. Manmohan Singh. In 1991, India faced a severe balance of payments crisis, leading to significant economic reforms aimed at liberalizing the economy. Dr. Singh, in his role as the Finance Minister, implemented these reforms, which included reducing import tariffs, deregulating markets, and encouraging foreign investment.

His budget presentation marked a pivotal moment in Indian economic history as it not only addressed the immediate crisis but also laid the groundwork for a new era of economic policy in the country. The budget focused on structural adjustments and introduced measures that shifted India towards a more market-oriented economy. This transformative phase is often credited with fostering economic growth and integration into the global economy, making Dr. Manmohan Singh's budget presentation a landmark event.

In contrast, the other figures mentioned were significant in their own right but were involved in different contexts or time periods. For instance, P. Chidambaram, while also a notable finance minister, presented budgets after the initial liberalization had already taken place. Yashwant Sinha and Morarji Desai held positions before or during times when the economy was predominantly controlled by government policies and regulations.