INDIA: From Developing to Developed Nation

India, a country of ancient civilization and cultural heritage, has undergone a metamorphosis over more than seven decades since its independence in 1947. From being a predominantly agrarian economy struggling with poverty and illiteracy, India has emerged as a global power in various domains.

- MIRZA MUSTAJAB

Now, as we are entering the third decade of the 21st century, India is on the verge of shifting from a developing to a developed country. However, the road ahead requires strategic planning, combined effort, and structural changes.

India is currently the fifth-largest economy in the world in terms of nominal GDP and is likely to become the third-largest by 2030, surpassing Japan and Germany. Despite global economic unpredictability, India achieved a strong GDP growth rate of 7.6% in FY 2023-24, driven by robust domestic consumption, manufacturing, and digital services. Grand-scale infrastructure projects like the Bharatmala and Sagarmala schemes, Vande Bharat trains, the bullet train corridor, and the Smart Cities Mission are changing the face of urban mobility and connectivity. The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan aims to synchronize infrastructure planning between ministries, improving logistics and reducing transportation costs. Programs like PM Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission, and PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana have enhanced access to housing, health, clean drinking water, and food security for millions. Empowerment programs for women such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam are important steps toward inclusive growth. The Digital India initiative has been a transformational force. With more than 850 million internet users, India is now the world's second-largest digital economy. Solutions such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) have revolutionized digital payments, with more than 12 billion transactions taking place every month.