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June 9, 2025, marked a pivotal milestone in India's modern history: eleven years of continuous governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This period has not just been long in duration but transformative, spanning bold economic reforms, robust infrastructure expansion, substantial social upliftment, and a deep recalibration of India's global standing. Under Modi's leadership, India has carved a trajectory that is not only economically ambitious but also socially inclusive and strategically astute.

Economic Ascent: From Promise To Power

When Prime Minister Modi assumed office in 2014, India's economy was growing, but its potential remained underleveraged. With a GDP of approximately $2.1 trillion, it lagged behind global peers in output and investment confidence. Fast forward to 2025, and the transformation is palpable. India is now the fourth-largest economy in the world, overtaking Japan, with a GDP surpassing $4.3 trillion, a stunning 105% increase over a decade.

This rise was mirrored in the per capita GDP, which grew from approximately $5,000 (PPP) in 2014 to over $12,000 in 2025 — a 240% increase. Such growth, amid global economic turbulence, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and regional security issues, speaks volumes about India's resilience and economic management.

The International Monetary Fund's projection of a 6.2% growth rate for India in FY 2025-26 is higher than that of any other major economy, cementing its status as a global growth engine.

At the heart of this growth story are decisive policy measures such as the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017. Despite initial scepticism, GST has matured into a robust revenue mechanism, yielding over ₹22 lakh crore in FY 2024–25. This includes ₹4.13 lakh crore as CGST, ₹5.16 lakh crore as SGST, and ₹11.25 lakh crore as IGST, showcasing the tax regime's widening base and effectiveness.

Industrial Policy And Digital Empowerment

The 'Make in India' initiative, long deemed aspirational, is now bearing fruit. India has emerged as a key manufacturing hub, evidenced by the near doubling of Apple iPhone exports from ₹85,000 crore in FY 2023-24 to ₹1.5 lakh crore in FY 2024-25. This industrial push has been buttressed by the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, allocating $24 billion across critical sectors and catalysing domestic manufacturing and export capacity.

Meanwhile, India's fintech ecosystem, powered by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), is setting global benchmarks. With over 650 million transactions processed daily, UPI has surpassed Visa in volume, reflecting deep digital penetration and financial inclusion. The digital payments market, projected to reach $1 trillion by FY 2026, is emblematic of India's seamless blending of technology and governance.

Infrastructure: The Arteries Of Growth

Infrastructure development under Modi has been unprecedented. The construction of 36 kilometres of highways per day contrasts starkly with the 8-11 km built during the UPA era. Electrification of rural India has reached 100%, ensuring basic amenities reach the remotest corners. This connectivity has translated into tangible economic dividends, improving market access, boosting productivity, and facilitating job creation.

The foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow tells its own story. From $36 billion in 2013–14, FDI surged to a cumulative $709.84 billion over the decade — a testament to the confidence global investors have placed in India's regulatory stability and growth potential. Likewise, merchandise exports rose from $318 billion to $825 billion, underlining India's increasing competitiveness on the global trade stage.

Social Inclusion: A New Paradigm

Equally commendable has been the government's commitment to social welfare through the 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' doctrine. India has seen the largest scale of targeted welfare delivery in human history. The Aadhaar-enabled Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) ecosystem, combined with Jan Dhan Yojana bank accounts, has facilitated over ₹34 trillion in cash transfers directly to beneficiaries, plugging leakages and enhancing efficiency.

Rural India, long neglected, has seen a renaissance. Over 12 crore toilets have been built, over 15 crore households now have tap water, and eight states plus three Union Territories have achieved 100% water coverage as of January 2025. The Ujjwala Yojana has brought clean cooking fuel to over 10 crore households, and Ayushman Bharat has issued 37 crore health cards, expanding access to free healthcare.

Agriculture has also been revitalised, with more than ₹3.75 lakh crore disbursed directly to over 10 crore farmers under PM-KISAN. The broader outcome of these initiatives is visible in World Bank data: India's extreme poverty rate has plummeted from 27.1% in 2011-12 to just 5.3% in 2022-23, lifting 270 million people out of destitution in just over a decade.

Defence And Strategic Autonomy

India's global stature is also growing in terms of defence capability and strategic independence. Defence exports surged from ₹1,941 crore in 2014 to ₹23,662 crore in 2024, indicating a shift from arms importer to exporter. The government's emphasis on 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' in defence manufacturing has energised the sector, with indigenous weapon systems now seeing deployment.

In parallel, India has managed to balance global diplomatic dynamics skillfully, deepening ties with both Western democracies and traditional allies like Russia. Amid global uncertainties, New Delhi's strategic clarity and diplomatic agility have garnered international respect, positioning it as a key voice in multilateral forums.

A Vision For The Future

Looking ahead, India's aspirations are bold but credible. The government has set a clear vision: a $7 trillion economy by 2030 and a fully developed 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, coinciding with the centenary of independence. These goals are not mere slogans but are grounded in solid groundwork laid over the past eleven years.

Challenges remain: income inequality, environmental sustainability, and job creation must be addressed with continued urgency. Yet, the foundation has been laid for inclusive, self-reliant, and sustainable growth. It is now the responsibility of every citizen, not just the government, to participate in this collective journey.

An Era Defined By Purpose And Progress

Eleven years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership have fundamentally reshaped the Indian state. His government has not only accelerated economic growth but also embedded inclusivity, transparency, and innovation at the heart of governance. Whether it is infrastructure, digital transformation, poverty alleviation, or strategic autonomy, India stands transformed.

As we reflect on this decade of change, it is evident that the Modi era has been about more than governance — it has been about ambition with direction and progress with purpose. As India looks ahead to its centennial in 2047, the roadmap is clear and the momentum is strong. With unity, vision, and determination, a truly developed India is within reach.

(The writer is a technocrat, political analyst, and author)

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