Context

India commemorated its 79th Independence Day with a sense of pride, reflecting its evolution into a resilient, self-assured, and ascending global power. Despite encountering formidable challenges over the decades, such as the United States’ sanctions following the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998 and the deployment of the Seventh Fleet during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, India has not only endured but emerged more robust. Today, it stands as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and commands increasing influence on the global stage.

Economic Progress

India’s economic transformation over the past decades has been remarkable. From a GDP of merely $30 billion in 1947, it is now projected by the International Monetary Fund to reach $4.19 trillion by 2025. In nominal terms, India is expected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by that year. When measured by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), India has already secured the third position globally, with an estimated GDP of $17.65 trillion.

The period from FY15 to FY25, under the current administration, has seen sustained economic momentum. Real GDP growth has averaged 6.5% annually, while agricultural GDP has grown at a steady 4% per annum, reflecting a robust and diversified economic base.

Socio-Economic Transformation

Parallel to economic development, India has undergone profound social transformation. Poverty, when assessed using the $3 per day threshold at 2021 PPP, has declined significantly from a staggering 80% in 1947 to just 5.3% in 2025, according to World Bank projections. Literacy has risen dramatically from 18.3% in 1951 to 77% by 2023, indicating widespread access to education. Life expectancy has also seen a substantial increase—from 32 years at the time of independence to 72 years today.

Women’s empowerment has been a particularly notable area of progress, with marked improvements in access to education, socio-economic opportunities, political representation, and leadership roles, signalling a move toward greater gender parity.

Agriculture and Food Security

In agriculture, India’s achievements have been transformative. Foodgrain production has grown sevenfold, from 50 million metric tonnes in 1947 to 353.9 million metric tonnes in 2024–25. India has become the world’s largest exporter of rice, expected to ship 20.2 million metric tonnes in FY25. Horticulture output, as well as production of milk and eggs, has also expanded significantly.

India today is not only self-sufficient in food production but also a net agricultural exporter—unlike countries such as the United States and China. However, challenges persist. While the issue of food security has largely been addressed, ensuring nutritional security, particularly for children under the age of five, remains an urgent concern.

Scientific and Technological Achievements

India’s advancements in science and technology have propelled it into global leadership in several sectors. Its space missions, including Chandrayaan’s successful landing near the Moon’s south pole and the pioneering Mangalyaan mission to Mars, underscore India’s emergence as a serious space power.

On the digital front, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionised digital transactions, processing over 10 billion monthly transactions and setting a global benchmark in fintech innovation. Furthermore, Indian-origin leaders such as Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, and Indra Nooyi have risen to helm global technology and business giants like Google, Microsoft, and PepsiCo, symbolising India’s intellectual and managerial impact worldwide.

The slogans that have shaped the country’s vision—“Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” under Lal Bahadur Shastri, “Jai Vigyan” under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and “Jai Anusandhan” under Narendra Modi—reflect the progressive integration of defence, agriculture, science, and innovation into the national identity.

Persisting and Emerging Challenges

While India has made substantial strides, it still faces several critical challenges. Government subsidies, though vital for shielding vulnerable sections of the population, remain plagued by inefficiencies. In the Union Budget for 2025–26, subsidies for food and fertilisers together constitute Rs 3.71 lakh crore—Rs 2.03 lakh crore for food and Rs 1.67 lakh crore for fertilisers. Studies indicate that 20% to 25% of these subsidies fail to reach their intended recipients. Reforms aimed at rationalising these subsidies, alongside greater investment in agricultural research and development, innovation, and value chains, are urgently needed.

Environmental degradation is another pressing issue. Sustainable economic growth will require a serious commitment to conserving vital natural resources such as soil, water, and air. Simultaneously, addressing child malnutrition demands an integrated approach encompassing women’s education, maternal healthcare, and improved sanitation infrastructure.

India’s Role in the Global Landscape

In terms of per capita income, India continues to lag behind major economies. For instance, China’s projected per capita income for 2025 is $13,690 (PPP $28,980), compared to India’s $2,880 (PPP $12,130). However, what distinguishes India is its unwavering commitment to democracy. Unlike several of its neighbours, India’s democratic ethos remains a guiding compass—ensuring freedom, pluralism, and participatory governance.

This democratic foundation, combined with its diverse experience in high-tech sectors, positions India as a model for many countries across Asia and Africa. In various domains, including healthcare, agriculture, and digital infrastructure, India is increasingly setting benchmarks that resonate globally.

Vision for Viksit Bharat @ 2047

Looking ahead to its 100th year of independence in 2047, India has outlined an ambitious yet achievable vision—Viksit Bharat. This vision rests on several core pillars: accelerating inclusive and sustainable growth, dismantling bureaucratic obstacles, fostering a scientific and innovation-driven culture, and integrating environmental safeguards into development planning.

The overarching goal is to transform India into a fully developed nation by 2047, one that embodies technological excellence, agricultural self-reliance, and inclusive, responsive governance.

Conclusion

As India approaches its centenary of independence, the nation stands poised at the threshold of unprecedented transformation. The pursuit of Viksit Bharat signifies more than economic prosperity; it encompasses leadership in technology, resilience in agriculture, inclusiveness in governance, and sustainability in development.

Anchored by its democratic values and enriched by its civilisational depth, India is steadily shaping a model of progress that resonates beyond its borders. By aligning collective effort with visionary planning, the country aspires not only to secure a prosperous future for its own citizens but also to offer a compelling blueprint for global development.