Sanjay Debnath

As India approaches the centenary of its independence in 2047, the vision of Viksit Bharat—a fully developed, inclusive, and globally competitive nation—has emerged as a defining national mission. This transformative agenda, championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014, is not merely aspirational; it is a strategic blueprint rooted in economic resilience, technological innovation, infrastructure expansion, and social equity. The goal is to elevate India’s economy to 30 Trillion USD, increase per capita income to $18,000–$20,000, ensure universal access to quality services, and position the country as a global leader in sustainability, diplomacy, and digital transformation, by 2047.

India’s economic trajectory since 2014 has been marked by consistent growth and structural reforms. With a GDP growth rate of 8.2% in FY24 and 7% in FY23, India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing major economies. Reforms such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, and digital taxation have streamlined the business environment and enhanced investor confidence. The Startup India initiative has catalyzed the emergence of over 100,000 recognized startups, making India the third-largest startup ecosystem globally. Make in India has boosted manufacturing and foreign direct investment, with FDI inflows reaching $71 billion in FY23. Digital India has revolutionized service delivery, with over 1.3 billion Aadhaar enrollments and more than 10 billion monthly UPI transactions. 

Infrastructure development has been a cornerstone of the Viksit Bharat roadmap. The government’s push for connectivity, logistics, and urban renewal has led to unprecedented expansion. PM Gati Shakti, a multimodal infrastructure masterplan integrating 16 ministries, is streamlining project execution and reducing bottlenecks. Bharatmala and Sagarmala are enhancing road and port connectivity across economic corridors, while the Smart Cities Mission is transforming 100 urban centers into digitally empowered, citizen-friendly hubs. India’s highway network has expanded from 91,000 km in 2014 to over 145,000 km in 2024. Metro rail coverage has tripled, and airport capacity has doubled. The modernization of Indian Railways, including the introduction of Vande Bharat trains and 100% electrification targets, is redefining mobility. 

Education and skilling are central to empowering India’s demographic dividend. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a paradigm shift, emphasizing flexibility, multilingualism, and vocational training. The Skill India Mission has trained over 50 million youth across diverse sectors, while initiatives like the Digital University and SWAYAM are expanding access to quality online education. PM SHRI Schools are upgrading 14,500 institutions into model centers of learning. India’s literacy rate has climbed to 77.7%, and gross enrollment in higher education has crossed 40 million. 

Healthcare has undergone rapid modernization, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest health insurance scheme, covers 500 million beneficiaries. The National Digital Health Mission is creating unique health IDs and digital records, while the PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission is investing ₹64,000 crore in public health infrastructure. India’s pharmaceutical exports reached $25 billion in 2023, earning the country the title “Pharmacy of the World.” 

Sustainability and climate action are integral to India’s development strategy. Committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, India is aligning green growth with economic progress. The International Solar Alliance, co-founded by India, now has over 120 member countries. The PM-KUSUM scheme promotes solar pumps and decentralized renewable energy, while the push for electric vehicles aims for 30% penetration by 2030. India’s renewable energy capacity has crossed 125 GW, with solar contributing 70 GW. 

Agriculture and rural development remain foundational to inclusive growth. The government’s focus on agri-tech, irrigation, and market reforms is transforming rural livelihoods. PM-KISAN provides direct income support to 110 million farmers, while eNAM connects over 1,000 mandis through a digital marketplace. The Fasal Bima Yojana offers crop insurance to more than 50 million farmers. Rural electrification, sanitation under Swachh Bharat, and housing through PM Awas Yojana have significantly improved village life. 

Digital transformation has redefined governance and entrepreneurship. The JAM trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile—has revolutionized service delivery. UPI processes over ₹15 trillion in monthly transactions, DigiLocker serves 200 million users, and ONDC is democratizing e-commerce for small retailers. India ranks among the top five nations in AI research and digital innovation. 

India’s foreign policy since 2014 has been assertive, strategic, and development-oriented. From the G20 presidency to Quad partnerships, India is shaping global discourse. Initiatives like Vaccine Maitri, which supplied vaccines to over 100 countries, and diplomatic strategies such as Act East and Neighbourhood First have strengthened regional ties. India’s voice in the Global South is championing equity in climate and trade negotiations. With a diaspora of 32 million, India’s global influence is expanding. 

Women empowerment and social inclusion are central to the Viksit Bharat vision. Programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujjwala Yojana, and the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which reserves 33% of seats for women in Parliament, are reshaping gender equity. SC/ST scholarships, transgender welfare schemes, and disability inclusion policies are fostering a more inclusive society. 

Defence modernization and indigenous innovation are vital to national security. The Agnipath Scheme is recruiting youth into the armed forces, while defence corridors are boosting domestic manufacturing. ISRO and DRDO continue to advance space and missile technologies. India’s defence exports reached ₹16,000 crore in FY24, a tenfold increase since 2014. 

The roadmap to Viksit Bharat by 2047 is not just a government vision—it is a national mission. It demands collective resolve, strategic execution, and citizen participation. The progress since 2014 has laid a strong foundation, and the next two decades will define India’s destiny. India stands at the cusp of transformation. With sustained reforms, inclusive growth, and global leadership, the dream of a developed India is not distant—it is inevitable.

What They Said.

“India is not just a market. It is a mindset of innovation and scale.” – Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet Inc., 

“India’s infrastructure revolution is a model for emerging economies.” – Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF

“India’s youth are its greatest asset. Their empowerment is the world’s opportunity.” – External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar 

“India’s health model is a beacon of hope for global equity.” – Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO

“India’s climate leadership is vital for the planet’s future.” – UN Secretary-General António Guterres 

“India’s rural renaissance is the foundation of its inclusive growth.” – Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways in the Government of India

“India’s digital leap is redefining governance and entrepreneurship.” – Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft

“India is a trusted partner and a rising power. – French President Emmanuel Macron 

“India’s inclusive policies are a model for democratic empowerment.” – Hillary Clinton, former US Secretary of State.

“Viksit Bharat is not a dream. It is a resolve. A resolve of 1.4 billion Indians.” – Prime Minister Narendra Modi