M. S. Gill, Civil Servant
Civil Servant

M. S. Gill

Born 27 June 1939 · Punjab — Died 15 October 2023

Introduced and implemented Electronic Voting Machines in Indian elections as Chief Election Commissioner.

Manohar Singh Gill was an Indian Administrative Service officer of 1958 batch from Punjab cadre who served as the Sports and Youth Affair minister and Statistical minister of India. He also served as the 11th Chief Election Commissioner of India. His tenure as Election commissioner saw the introduction and implementation of EVMs which were used in first time in the Elections of India.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

During his tenure as Chief Election Commissioner, M. S. Gill oversaw the first nationwide use of electronic voting machines in India’s elections, a technological shift that continues to define Indian voting.

The Story

1
In 1958, Manohar Singh Gill joined the Indian Administrative Service and began his career serving as sub-divisional magistrate in Mahendragarh, a district that later became part of Haryana, marking his early involvement in administration during a period of state reorganization.
2
🌄 Between 1966 and 1987, Gill held posts across newly carved states like Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, including deputy commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti and agriculture secretary of Punjab under Amarinder Singh, reflecting his role in regional governance during volatile political shifts.
3🚀 In 1996, he became the 11th Chief Election Commissioner of India, a position from which he introduced Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) nationwide, a move that transformed election integrity and reduced malpractices in India’s vast democratic process.
4🏅 Awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his election reforms, Gill also received the Nishan-e-Khalsa during the 300-year Khalsa anniversary, tying his administrative legacy to Punjab’s cultural heritage in 1999.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Gill served in administrative roles across three states—Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Haryana—immediately after the 1966 trifurcation of Punjab, navigating complex political transitions firsthand.

🖼️

Through the Years

4 photographs from the archives
Dr. M. S. Gill meets Indo-Pak Youth Peace delegation in New Delhi (2008).
Dr. M. S. Gill meets Indo-Pak Youth Peace delegation in New Delhi (2008).
2008
Dr. M. S. Gill meets UK delegation led by Lord Sebastian Coe in New Delhi (2009).
Dr. M. S. Gill meets Arjun Vajpai, youngest Indian Everest climber, in New Delhi (2010).
Dr. M. S. Gill congratulates gold medalist Ranu Bala Chanu at Commonwealth Games in New Delhi (2010).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth in Punjab, British India
Manohar Singh Gill was born in Punjab during British colonial rule, setting the stage for his later administrative career in independent India.
1936
⚡
Career
Joins Indian Administrative Service
Gill joined the IAS, Punjab cadre, beginning his administrative career during a period of political restructuring of states in Northern India.
1958
⚡
Career
Agriculture Secretary of Punjab
He served as agriculture secretary under Amarinder Singh, influencing Punjab’s agricultural policies during a critical socio-political era.
1985
⚡
Career
Appointed Chief Election Commissioner
Gill took charge as India’s 11th Chief Election Commissioner, introducing electronic voting machines to Indian elections.
1996
⚡
Career
Elected to Rajya Sabha
After retiring from the Election Commission, Gill joined the Indian National Congress and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha from Punjab.
2004
⚡
Career
Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
Gill was inducted as Minister of State (Independent Charge), overseeing sports policies including preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
2008
⚡
Career
Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation
Following removal from the sports ministry, Gill was appointed to head the statistics ministry until his resignation in July 2011.
2011
🕊️
Death
Death at age 87
M. S. Gill passed away, concluding a life spanning from colonial India through decades of bureaucratic and political service.
2023
More moments to come...
+ Add a moment

🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
💡SURPRISING

He was awarded the Nishan-e-Khalsa at the 300th anniversary of the Khalsa in 1999, an honor linking his career to Punjab’s Sikh heritage beyond his bureaucratic and political duties.

02 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Gill’s tenure as Chief Election Commissioner (1996–2001) coincided with the first use of EVMs in Indian elections, a controversial yet transformative step in the country's electoral history.

03 / 05
🔍LESSER KNOWN

He was agriculture secretary of Punjab from 1985 to 1987 under Amarinder Singh, a period critical for Punjab’s agrarian policies during turbulent times in the state’s history.

No quote recorded for M. S. Gill yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
IN CONVERSATION- DR. M. S. GILL

🌱 What changed because of them

M. S. Gill’s introduction of electronic voting machines drastically reduced electoral fraud and streamlined vote counting, reshaping India’s democratic process. His tenure as Chief Election Commissioner set a precedent for technological integration in elections, influencing electoral policies and practices nationwide. Additionally, his administrative roles in Punjab and national politics linked governance with cultural and developmental agendas, notably during the 300-year Khalsa celebrations.

💬 Social Buzz

💬

What are people saying about M. S. Gill?

Share posts from historians, journalists and notable voices about this icon. 🇮🇳

💭 Memories & Tributes

Share your memory of M. S. Gill...
Loading memories...
Is this profile accurate?