development of india essay

The World Bank In India

With a population of more than 1.4 billion, India is the world’s largest democracy. Over the past decade, the country’s integration into the global economy has been accompanied by economic growth. India has now emerged as a global player.

AT A GLANCE

India is one of the fastest growing economies of the world and is poised to continue on this path, with aspirations to reach high middle income status by 2047, the centenary of Indian independence. It is also committed to ensuring that its continued growth path is equipped to deal with the challenges of climate change, and in line with its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

The growth of the past two decades has also led to India making remarkable progress in reducing extreme poverty. Between 2011 and 2019, the country is estimated to have halved the share of the population living in extreme poverty - below $2.15 per person per day (2017 PPP) (World Bank Poverty and Inequality Portal and Macro Poverty Outlook, Spring 2023). In recent years, however, the pace of poverty reduction has slowed especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, but has since moderated in 2021-22.

Certain challenges persist. Inequality in consumption continues, with a Gini index of around 35 over the past two decades. Child malnutrition has remained high, with 35.5 percent of children under the age of 5 years being stunted, with the figure rising to 67 percent for children in the 6-59 months age group. Headline employment indicators have improved since 2020 but concerns remain about the quality of jobs created and the real growth in wages, as well as around the low participation of women in the laborforce.

India’s aspiration to achieve high income status by 2047 will need to be realized through a climate-resilient growth process that delivers broad-based gains to the bottom half of the population. Growth-oriented reforms will need to be accompanied by an expansion in good jobs that keeps pace with the number of labor market entrants. At the same time, gaps in economic participation will need to be addressed, including by bringing more women into the workforce.

The World Bank is partnering with the government in this effort by helping strengthen policies, institutions, and investments to create a better future for the country and its people through green, resilient, and inclusive development.

Economic Outlook

After real GDP contracted in FY20/21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, growth bounced back strongly in FY21/22, supported by accommodative monetary and fiscal policies and wide vaccine coverage. Consequently, in 2022, India emerged as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, despite significant challenges in the global environment – including renewed disruptions of supply lines following the rise in geopolitical tensions, the synchronized tightening of global monetary policies, and inflationary pressures.

In FY22/23, India’s real GDP expanded at an estimated 6.9 percent. Growth was underpinned by robust domestic demand, strong investment activity bolstered by the government’s push for investment in infrastructure, and buoyant private consumption, particularly among higher income earners. The composition of domestic demand also changed, with government consumption being lower due to fiscal consolidation.

Since Q3 FY22/23, however, there have been signs of moderation, although the overall growth momentum remains robust. The persisting headwinds – rising borrowing costs, tightening financial conditions and ongoing inflationary pressures – are expected to weigh on India’s growth in FY23/24. Real GDP growth is likely to moderate to 6.3 percent in FY23/24 from the estimated 6.9 percent in FY22/23.

Both the general government fiscal deficit and public debt to GDP ratio increased sharply in FY20/21 and have been declining gradually since then, with the fiscal deficit falling from over 13 percent in FY20/21 to an estimated 9.4 percent in FY22/23. Public debt has fallen from over 87 percent of GDP to around 83 percent over the same period. The consolidation has largely been driven by an increase in revenues and a gradual withdrawal of pandemic-related stimulus measures. At the same time, the government has remained committed to increasing capital spending, particularly on infrastructure, to boost growth and competitiveness.

Last Updated: Sep 27, 2023

THE WORLD BANK GROUP AND INDIA

The World Bank Group’s (WBG) over seven decade-long partnership with India is strong and enduring. Since the first loan to Indian Railways in 1949, the WBG’s financing, analytical work, and advisory services have contributed to the country’s development. International Development Association – the WBG’s soft-lending arm created for developing countries like India - has supported activities that have had a considerable impact on universalizing primary education; empowering rural communities through a series of rural livelihoods projects; revolutionizing agriculture through support of the Green and White (milk) Revolutions; and helping to combat polio, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. In FY18, the relationship reached a major milestone when India became a low middle-income country and graduated from International Development Association financing.

COUNTRY PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK

The WBG’s present engagement with India is guided by its Country Partnership Framework for FY18-22 (CPF). The CPF builds on the decades-long partnership and seeks to address the country’s development aspirations and priority needs identified in the Group’s Systematic Country Diagnostic for India . It aims to work with India so that the country’s rapidly growing economy makes much more efficient use of resources; fosters inclusiveness by investing in human capital and generating more quality jobs; and develops strong public sector institutions that are capable of meeting the demands of a rising middle-class economy. The CPF’s approach combines a focus on ‘what’ the WBG will work on and ‘how’ it will engage India in the process. What will the WBG work on?

Promoting resource-efficient growth , including in the rural, urban, and energy sectors as well addressing disaster risk management and air pollution;
Enhancing competitiveness and enabling job creation , including improving the business climate, access to finance, connectivity, logistics, skilling, and increasing female labor force participation;
Investing in human capital through early childhood development, education, health, social protection, and rural water supply and sanitation.

How will the WBG amplify the impact of its work in India?

By leveraging the private sector
By harnessing India’s federalism
By strengthening public institutions
By supporting Lighthouse India to foster knowledge exchanges within the country and between India and the rest of the world.

In all its activities, the WBG will seek to address climate change, gender gaps, and the challenges and opportunities afforded by technology .

WORLD BANK GROUP PROGRAM

The World Bank’s lending program consists of 98 lending operations. Of the $21.4 billion in commitments, $19.3 billion is from IBRD, $2.0 billion is from IDA – the Bank’s soft lending arm - and $0.1 billion is from other sources, primarily grant funding from the Global Environment Fund.

Roughly a little more than one third of these operations and around 40% of commitments are either for central or multi-state operations, while the remainder consists of state-specific operations in 26 of India’s 28 states.

The four largest portfolios are Agriculture (15 operations totaling $3.1 billion in commitments), Energy , (11 projects totaling $4.0 billion in commitments), Health, Nutrition & Population (11 projects totaling $2.8 billion) and Transport and Water (11 projects each totaling $2.5 billion respectively).

In FY23, the Bank approved 15 operations amounting to $4.37 billion. Of this, $ 4.32 billion is lending from IBRD and $0.05 billion from IDA (recommitted from cancelled IDA programs). Around 15-18 projects are expected to be delivered in FY24, with total commitments in the range of $3.5 – 4 billion.

For the IFC, India is the biggest client country, accounting for over 10 percent of its global portfolio with a committed portfolio of US$6.5 billion as of June 30, 2023. IFC has more than 250+ active projects in sectors including infrastructure, health, energy, manufacturing, housing, technology, and finance. Since its first engagement in 1958, IFC has invested more than US$27 billion (including mobilization) in over 500 companies in India. India is the sixth largest shareholder in IFC, owning a 4.01 percent stake.

IBRD and IFC work together in several areas, most notably in energy, transport, water and health. The World Bank partnership has been particularly strong in raising financing for renewable energy initiatives, especially in supporting the Government of Madhya Pradesh in setting up the largest solar park project that provides solar power with a total capacity of 2.25 gigawatts at a record low cost, reducing carbon emissions by 3.8 million metric tons per year and powering 60% of the Delhi metro. Similarly, IFC and IBRD collaborated under the Government of India’s flagship Clean Ganga program, ‘ Namami Gange ,’ helping revamp sewage treatment plants using hybrid annuity-based PPP projects, treating 218 million liters of water per day in three cities, and contributing to the steady rejuvenation of the sacred river for millions. IFC led the PPP mandate, while IBRD loan facilitated payment guarantees to boost private sector participation in the sector.

The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) does not have exposure in India. MIGA has been working closely with the Ministry of Finance to provide credit enhancement solutions at the state-level and state-owned enterprise (SOE) level. This will enable state governments and SOEs to utilize long-term commercial financing, which can complement concessional lending provided by other multilaterals and development finance institutions.

The WBG has a wide-ranging program of Advisory Services & Analytics. The program informs policy debate, provides analytical underpinnings and learnings for operations and strategy, facilitates the scale up of innovative solutions, and helps to improve state capability. As of October 2021, some 18 analytical studies and 15 advisory activities were ongoing. Key areas of focus include poverty and macroeconomic analysis , financial sector reform , enhancing human capital including universal health coverage and gender , air quality management , as well as state capability and governance .

*FY23 means Financial Year from July 2022 - June 2023

WBG financing supported India’s achievement of numerous results over the past five years, highlights of which include:

Education : The World Bank’s approximately $2.7 billion support for education in India covers primary, secondary, and tertiary education, as well as skills development for its young population.

The World Bank’s $250 million Skill India Mission Operation (SIMO) is backing Central and State government initiatives to skill young people—including the disadvantaged and vulnerable—to acquire the skills needed for a wide range of jobs that are in demand in the market. The project has trained almost 6 million young people, 34 percent of whom are women. Some 40 percent of the trainees were employed within six months of completing their course.

The World Bank also supports state government programs for reforms in primary and senior secondary education. School education projects in Andhra Pradesh , Chhattisgarh , Gujarat and Nagaland are helping strengthen foundational learning of the students, provide training and resources for the professional development of teachers, and use data-driven programs to improve learning assessment systems for remedial education.

A new World Bank program - Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education Project to be implemented in 14 States and Union Territories will support research and innovation in climate change and sustainable energy. The program is expected to benefit around 350,000 students. In Madhya Pradesh and Odisha , reforms in tertiary education have helped close to 2 million students from disadvantaged groups get access to quality higher education and skills, making them more employable.

Social Protection :

During the COVID-19 pandemic, World Bank support of $1.65 billion through two projects, Accelerating India’s COVID-19 Social Protection Response Program and Creating a Coordinated and Responsive Indian Social Protection System helped protect the poor and vulnerable through transfers in cash and kind. About 320 million vulnerable people received cash transfers into their bank accounts. About 800 million people received additional food rations.

In Jharkhand , a market-driven skills training and secondary education program has helped set up about 13,000 strong community level clubs that provide skills and education to over one million adolescent girls and young women.

In West Bengal , an ongoing program is providing social protection services to poor and vulnerable groups, with a focus on strengthening institutions for delivering care to elderly persons and those with disabilities. The program is also working to increase female labor force participation. Digital transfers through the Jai Bangla Platform reached 3.1 million beneficiaries in the first half of 2023.

The World Bank’s current health portfolio in India of around $2.8 billion includes both national and state-level projects:

A $1 billion COVID-19 Emergency Response Project helped the government strengthen health facilities in states, procure essential medical supplies – such as testing-equipment and kits, personal protective equipment, gloves, masks, and oxygen cylinders. It also helped insure 2.2 million frontline health workers. In addition, it helped expand health facilities dedicated to COVID-19, raising their number from 163 in March 2020 to more than 23,000 in June 2022. Over 926 million COVID-19 tests were supported and 3,362 testing laboratories created.

An additional $1 billion in World Bank support is helping the government strengthen health service delivery . This includes all aspects of pandemic preparedness and response , improving real-time disease surveillance, better One Health coordination and enhancing capacity for biosecurity.

World Bank is also supporting the National Tuberculosis (TB) Elimination Program to improve success rates of treatment, including of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). It is also scaling up direct transfer of cash benefits into the bank accounts of TB patients.

In Andhra Pradesh , Meghalaya , Mizoram , Nagaland , Tamil Nadu , and Uttarakhand ongoing programs focus on improving the quality of health care services, and strengthening the management of non-communicable diseases. In Uttarakhand, clusters of public health facilities, using a public private partnership (PPP) model, now have specialists available regularly, resulting in improved service delivery. Digital health strategies for improved service delivery are being implemented in Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland and Tamil Nadu.

Rural Water Supply and Sanitation : Since 2000, World Bank projects have contributed over $2.8 billion in financing for rural water supply and sanitation. About 30 million people from over 30,000 villages—with populations ranging from 150 to 15,000—have gain better access to drinking water. About 167 million rural people have benefitted from improved sanitation. Many of the projects have helped promote women’s participation in discussions around changing age-old sanitation behaviors. Local institutions have been strengthened to improve operations and maintenance of water and sanitation infrastructure and upgrade service delivery.

Agriculture

World Bank-financed projects are promoting climate resilient agriculture in Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra Odisha and Tamil Nadu. The focus is on introducing climate smart technologies, using water more efficiently, adopting crop diversification for better soil health and using climate resilient seeds. World Bank is also focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and using clean energy in post-harvest activities. Since 2016, World Bank-financed projects have brought around 1.7 million hectares of land under climate resilient agriculture. Around 2 million farmers are adopting improved agriculture technologies.

Empowering Rural Women

Since 2003, World Bank has provided $2.2 billion in support of the Women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) movement in India through several state and national projects. Around 32 million rural women have been mobilized into 2.9 million SHGs. Rural women have been trained and now earn their own livelihood as Pashu Sakhis (looking after animals), Bank Sakhis (helping rural people operate Bank accounts), or operating canteens at government hospitals and offices, and as masons building toilets. These empowered women have also been encouraged to become entrepreneurs, running small businesses like poultry and goat farms, grocery shops, and cottage industries, and provided access to markets. These entrepreneurial initiatives have helped the SHGs access commercial finance of over $14.5 billion. These projects were also the genesis of the Government of India’s National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), which is world’s largest platform for women’s social and economic empowerment. As of April 2023, the NRLM supports over 91 million women through 8.4 million SHGs.

poor families dependent on degraded sodic lands in Uttar Pradesh have experienced a three- to six-fold increase in crop yields

India: Commitments by Fiscal Year (in millions of dollars)*

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How to build a better India by 2030

Hope for the future: India can build a more inclusive economy by 2030 Image: REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri

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India can transform itself in the next days if technology creates opportunity.
In India, 77% of workers currently participate in the informal economy.
90 million people will join the India's pool of potential workers in the next decade.

It is 2030 and India is among the world’s top three economies. Its citizens live with advanced technology in a mutually beneficial ecosystem. Technology creates opportunity. Its users have access to quality jobs, better healthcare, and skill-based education—all of which were out of reach just ten years before. In this vision of India, digital technology helps people bridge gaps that presently hold them back. This is a Bridgital Nation, and it's achievable within a decade.

Have you read?

Urban pollution: breathing new life into india's cities, how can technology help india an extract.

But it is 2020, and we are still on this side of the enormous gap that exists in health, education, justice, and wherever else we look. How will we get to the other side? For India, and developing countries more broadly, the answer lies in the tools of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The prosperity we envision will become real if we think just a little differently about how we can use the technologies bearing down on us to our advantage.

From digital to bridgital

We see digital technologies changing the world around us on a daily basis. From shopping to travel to work, nothing is untouched by digital advances. And the rate of advancement is only increasing. AI and automation are beginning to make their presence felt in our lives. Such has been their impact that they now come with the standard fear of job losses and worse. However, if we look more closely, this narrative applies to advanced economies. In developing countries, which have distinct characteristics, the advance of technology will play out differently. We believe that if applied properly, it will lead to more jobs and better jobs—an approach we call ‘Bridgital’.

Why do we believe this? Because India is ripe for exactly this kind of intervention. Unlike advanced economies, which possess mature markets and where innovation is focused on efficiency, India lacks markets themselves. For instance, there are 190 million adults still without a bank account. Technology-led approaches can create the new markets needed to meet the demands of the underserved. These new markets will bring new local jobs.

India trails global standards in many sectors. In healthcare, for instance, it has half the doctors and a third of the hospital beds compared to global benchmarks. It has neither the time nor the money to catch up with traditional means. When services are reimagined using technology, an additional layer of jobs emerge in mediating technology and existing resources.

In India, 77% of workers currently participate in the informal economy—working on farms or in low productivity jobs like construction or running small local shops. They earn only about $160 a month on average. For this vast informal pool, a contextual technology intervention could boost productivity and wages, thereby improving livelihoods.

In the coming decade, the largest economies will see reductions in their pool of potential workers. The developed world, with fewer workers available, will be busy innovating technology that can substitute for the workforce it is losing. But in India, 90 million Indians, many of whom will be under-skilled and under-qualified, will be added to the workforce. It needs to develop technology to boost its workers’ skills.

In mature markets, digital transformation is focused on increasing efficiency and automating tasks as a profit-making exercise. But in India, where Indians travel huge distances to see a doctor, or where millions of graduates apply for a few hundred positions, a digital transformation will have to take the form of augmenting human ability.

Opening up access to healthcare

Let’s look at the access gap in healthcare, for instance. Right now, there just aren’t enough skilled workers to meet demand. It will take a further 600,000 doctors and 2.5 million nurses to close the access gap.

The doctors we do have spend a quarter to half of their time on activities that anyone else could accomplish: filling prescriptions, logging appointments, administrative paperwork. With a Bridgital intervention, we could change how doctors work. Many pre-diagnosis activities currently undertaken by doctors could be turned into a checklist programmed on to a kiosk, a handheld tablet, or even a smartphone. These could be used by someone without a clinical background, but who has received three to four months’ training on the technology, freeing up the specialist medical team to treat more patients, while giving jobs to those less skilled.

The World Economic Forum was the first to draw the world’s attention to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the current period of unprecedented change driven by rapid technological advances. Policies, norms and regulations have not been able to keep up with the pace of innovation, creating a growing need to fill this gap.

The Forum established the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network in 2017 to ensure that new and emerging technologies will help—not harm—humanity in the future. Headquartered in San Francisco, the network launched centres in China, India and Japan in 2018 and is rapidly establishing locally-run Affiliate Centres in many countries around the world.

The global network is working closely with partners from government, business, academia and civil society to co-design and pilot agile frameworks for governing new and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) , autonomous vehicles , blockchain , data policy , digital trade , drones , internet of things (IoT) , precision medicine and environmental innovations .

Learn more about the groundbreaking work that the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network is doing to prepare us for the future.

Want to help us shape the Fourth Industrial Revolution? Contact us to find out how you can become a member or partner.

Technology also gives specialist doctors the ability to conduct virtual consultations with patients well beyond where roads end, providing access to primary care to the 65-70% of Indians who currently struggle for it.

The net effect is to create jobs and increase the supply of medical help: More than 80% of the gap in doctors India will needs by 2030 can be bridged by this approach. It’s a technology-based bridge built using India’s access challenge as an engine of employment.

This isn't simply theoretical. We have seen this at work in healthcare pilots across India. Doctors, nurses, unskilled workers, outreach health workers, and healthcare coordinators are all at work together in a district near Bangalore. Their work is connected by a common technology platform that allows for coordination between patients and doctors. As a result, patients who would normally have waited too long to see a doctor now turn up at the first sign of trouble. This has meant they can be treated at primary health centres, rather than at hospitals—the last resort. In the few months that the system has been at work, the number of visitors to primary health centres has increased noticeably. We noticed this difference in just one tiny district, and that too only in healthcare.

India is an 'antarlaapika'

Simply looking across six sectors—including transportation, healthcare, and the judiciary— this sort of Bridgital reimagining could lead to 30 million jobs.

In truth, we already have what it takes to create more and better jobs. We also have the capability to improve and make better use of the existing skill levels of our people, especially once we tailor digital approaches and technologies to our needs. We need to stop thinking of humans and technology as competing for the same work and instead realize that using both together will definitely be more powerful than either alone.

There’s a word in Sanskrit that suits India perfectly: antarlaapika — a puzzle that holds its own answer. India is an antarlaapika that can be solved from within.

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The history of economic development in india since independence, the background.

The task that the democratically elected leaders of newly independent India embarked on in the early 1950s was not for the faint of heart. It was to lift living standards of a people accounting for one-seventh of the world’s population who earned an average income that was one-fifteenth of the average American income of the time. 1 Three-fourths of the Indian people were engaged in agriculture working with primitive tools and techniques, as either destitute landless laborers, highly insecure tenants-at-will, or small-plot holders eking out subsistence living from their meager plots. The literacy rate stood at 14 percent, and the average life expectancy was thirty-two years.

How successful has the country been in fulfilling the task over sixty years later? The charts in this article, using World Bank data, show how some of the country’s development indicators have changed in the last half-century. The country has experienced an increase in per capita income—especially since the 1980s—as well as reductions in poverty and infant mortality rates. These improvements are not insignificant and mark a sharp break from the near stagnation that the country experienced during British rule. But a comparison with the later superior performance of China and South Korea, countries with a comparable level of development in the 1950s, reveals that India’s performance remains below its potential. How did that come about? This essay provides an account of India’s strategy of economic development, its achievements, shortfalls, and future challenges.

The Initial Strategy

The government in the 1950s adopted a very particular strategy of economic development: rapid industrialization by implementing centrally prepared five-year plans that involved raising a massive amount of resources and investing them in the creation of large industrial state-owned enterprises (SOEs). 2 The industries chosen were those producing basic and heavy industrial goods such as steel, chemicals, machines and tools, locomotives, and power. Industrialization was pursued because leaders believed, based in part on the beliefs of some economists, that the industrial sector offers the greatest scope of growth in production. It was not that the Indian agricultural sector offered no scope for growth. Crop yields in India were quite low compared to other countries, and the recent famine in 1943 had underscored the need to increase food production. Still, Indian leaders did not want to make agriculture the mainstay of their strategy. The preeminence of agriculture they believed was characteristic of a backward economy, and growth in agriculture eventually runs up against the problem of insufficient demand. There is only so much, after all, that people are willing to eat.

Investments in the creation of public enterprises were chosen because one goal of the government was to establish a “socialistic pattern of society,” i.e., using democratic methods to bring large swathes of the country’s productive resources under public ownership. Industries producing basic and heavy goods were chosen for investment over consumer goods because the government wanted to reduce the country’s reliance on imports of basic and heavy industrial goods in line with their belief in the goodness of national self-reliance. “To import from abroad is to be slaves of foreign countries,” the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, once declared. 3 The production of consumer goods such as clothing, furniture, personal care products, and similar goods was left to small privately run cottage industry firms that had the added advantage of being labor-intensive and therefore a potential generator of mass employment.

Chart of Percent of People living on less than $1.25 a day

Another strategy could have been to rely on private enterprise for industrial development while the government focused its resources on investments in infrastructure, public health, and education—sectors that are not served well by the private sector. Though leaders were cognizant of the dynamism of the private sector and the existence of India’s vibrant entrepreneurial class, they rejected the strategy that involved a prominent role for the private sector out of a commitment to establishing the socialistic pattern of society that they believed was morally superior. As things eventually turned out, the country came around in the 1990s to adopting this previously rejected strategy.

In order to assure the success of the government’s chosen strategy in the 1950s, complementary measures were put in place. Most industries were given significant trade protection so that their growth was not hampered by competition from more efficient foreign producers. An industrial licensing system was set up to ensure that private enterprises would not expand beyond the bounds that national planners had set for them. The system required all private firms beyond a certain small size to obtain a license whenever they wanted to expand capacity, produce new products, change their input mix, import inputs, or relocate plants. The system put the activities of the private sector under significant control of the government. Pundits and students of political economy who were not socialists derisively nicknamed this stifling system “the license Raj,” comparing this economic format of oppression to the political control of the imperialist British Raj.

Their strategy of increasing agricultural production was based on plans to reform agrarian institutions. According to the thinking of the planners, the poor performance of Indian agriculture was due to the fact that tillers did not own the land they worked, so they had little incentive to make land improvements that would increase long-term productivity. The government planned to implement legislation to redistribute land from large landlords to actual tillers and improve the terms under which tenant cultivators leased land from the landowners. The government also planned to organize small farmers into cooperative societies so that their resources could be pooled in order to buy modern tools and implements and the strength of their numbers could be used to obtain higher crop prices. In addition to increasing agricultural production, such reforms were also expected to alleviate the poverty of the huge class of peasants.

The Initial Results

Industrialization was a moderate success. The newly created public enterprises, albeit after major cost overruns and several delays, turned out steel, chemicals, and other products that were generally associated with developed countries. A British colonial official in the early twentieth century once scoffed that he would be willing to eat all the steel than the Indians would produce. 4 If alive in 1960, he would have eaten 6,300 tons of steel. 5

Still, by the late 1950s several problems resulting from the planners’ chosen strategy of economic development were coming to the fore, and such problems intensified in the 1960s and the 1970s. Many SOEs were run on political rather than economic considerations, so they produced losses that drained government resources rather than—as the planners had hoped—augmenting them. The SOEs could also not be counted on to generate mass employment due to their capital and skill rather than labor-intensive character. Several enterprises were overstaffed and faced insufficient demand for what they produced, forcing them to render idle some of their capacity. The case of the Haldia fertilizer plant is an extreme but illustrative example. The plant was set up in the 1970s and employed 1,500 people. The workers and managers showed up regularly, kept the machine facilities clean and in working condition, and often received annual bonuses and overtime. They lived in a nearby spanking-new township built specially for them, one that had excellent roads, schools, and homes. There was only one thing missing. Because of numerous problems, the plant never produced even an ounce of fertilizer. Yet the government kept Haldia’s lights on for twenty-one years. 6

One government method for financing expenditures was the creation of new money, which resulted in significant inflation.

The plans for the reform of agrarian institutions did not pan out. The push for land redistribution ran into political opposition and clashed with the requirements of due process, so as little as 5 percent of the land was actually redistributed. The creation of agricultural cooperatives also did not materialize due to difficulties of organization and lack of enthusiasm on the ground. Agricultural production barely kept pace with population growth, and the country’s food security remained precarious. The drawback of prioritizing industry over agriculture for public investments became glaringly apparent when the country experienced a food crisis in the mid-1960s, necessitating urgent large-scale imports of subsidized grain from the United States. The crisis undermined the government’s claim that its strategy of prioritizing industry over agriculture for public investment would increase national self-reliance.

The drawback of prioritizing industry over agriculture for public investments became glaringly apparent when the country experienced a food crisis in the mid-1960s, necessitating urgent large-scale imports of subsidized grain from the United States.

Under the fixed exchange rate regime that existed in the country, high inflation in the 1960s reduced the country’s exports while increasing its imports, resulting in a shortage of foreign exchange. The shortage was exacerbated by the food imports made necessary by a drought and a war with Pakistan. Foreign exchange became one of the items the government had to resort to rationing. The reverberations were felt throughout the economy. Several new factories lay idle for want of foreign exchange to import some necessary inputs, while others hoarded foreign exchange to starve their competitors or earn a premium in the black market. Holding foreign exchange without a license became an offense punishable by jail time. Ultimately, the rupee had to be devalued, which generated further disruptions in the economic lives of most people.

Meanwhile, the industrial licensing system, designed to ensure that the private sector operated according to the five-year plans, became a source of much inefficiency and corruption. The micromanagement of the private sector called for much more knowledge and technical ability than government bureaucrats possessed. The system descended into a mechanism for rewarding political supporters of the rulers, which undermined the confidence of the people in the integrity of their governmental institutions.

Perhaps the most unfortunate legacy of prioritizing industry at the expense of other alternatives for investment was that scarce public resources were diverted away from health and education. The meager resources expended on these in India stand in marked contrast to the plentiful attention paid to them in China and other Asian countries. Seventy years after independence, India has still to catch up on these fronts; one-half of its children are malnourished, one-half of women are illiterate, and twothirds of its people lack basic sanitation. As a result, a large fraction of Indians today are unable to directly take advantage of the opportunities opened up by the country’s recent tilt toward a market economy and globalization.

The Change in Strategies

In response to the food crisis of the mid-1960s, the government changed its agricultural strategy. Rather than holding out for the reform of agrarian institutions, it began to guarantee higher crop prices to farmers and utilize subsidies to promote use of modern inputs such as chemical fertilizers and high-yielding varieties of grain developed in other parts of the world. The resulting surge of production—the so-called “green revolution” of the late 1960s—made the country self-sufficient in food grains. The strategy was controversial because it increased economic disparities among the farmers. For the greatest chance of success, the government had to focus its strategy on the irrigated sections—the very parts of the country that were already doing relatively well. The uptake of subsidized inputs was also the highest among large landowners, owing to their greater education, creditworthiness, and the ability to bear the risk posed by adopting new methods. The strategy did not do much to alleviate the economic condition of the agrarian poor, other than providing the indirect benefit of living in a country with better overall food security that has not since experienced famine. Micronutrient deficiencies (not caloric) such as anemia are today a bigger problem among the poor, and the country’s health indicators lag behind those of other countries with comparable levels of income.

The strategy toward industry, however, turned more interventionist after 1965. Elaboration of all the reasons for this need not detain us here; there is a strong case that the interventionist turn was a cynical ploy by new Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for consolidating her power in response to certain political developments. The new policy stance displayed a suspicion of large firms and a preference for the small. The licensing system imposed additional restrictions on the activities of large firms, curtailing their growth. Under a policy that was one of a kind, consumer goods such as apparel, footwear, furniture, sporting goods, office supplies, leather goods, and kitchen appliances were reserved by law for production by small firms. Foreign firms were asked to dilute their ownership stake in their Indian subsidiaries and in response, multinationals such as IBM and Coca-Cola closed their operations and left the country.

To the extent that the success of the large firms was due to their superior technical or organizational capacity, the curtailment of their growth meant that such capacity remained underutilized. Delays and arbitrariness in the issuing of industrial licenses resulted in supply bottlenecks and shortages of many consumer goods. For example, in the 1970s, there was an eight-year waiting list for people wanting to buy a scooter, the preferred vehicle for middle-class Indians.

Thirty-five years after independence, India’s leadership had yet to achieve, to any significant degree, its pledge of lifting living standards.

The reservation of consumer goods for small enterprises meant that the benefits of economies of scale were forgone, resulting in the production of poor-quality and high-priced goods that foreigners shunned and domestic consumers had no choice but to accept. Meanwhile, countries such as South Korea and Taiwan were growing rich by exporting this very category of goods. It was during this time that Indians developed a craze for foreign products, the imports of which were restricted, and the term “imported” became synonymous with “high-quality.” The result of such policies was economic stagnation. The country’s per capita income grew by an average of less than 1 percent a year between 1966 and 1980, a rate that was too low to make a dent in the country’s massive poverty. Thirty-five years after independence, India’s leadership had yet to achieve, to any significant degree, its pledge of lifting living standards.

Also, years of rhetoric about creating rapid development had heightened people’s expectations for their quality of living. Economic stagnation, combined with high inflation caused by the government’s printing of massive amounts of money, bred political unrest and popular agitation, to which Indira Gandhi responded by declaring a national emergency in 1975. Taking advantage of the suspension of democratic procedures and requirements of due process brought on by the emergency, the Prime Minister attempted strict interventions that included rapid land redistribution and forced sterilization as a part of population control. The programs were poorly administered, contributed to incidents of human rights violations, failed to improve the economic situation, and caused a number of unintended consequences. For example, the government’s attempts to liquidate debts of poor farmers led to the virtual drying up of informal sources of credit and the banks were not up to the task of picking up the slack. The chaos generated by the haphazard and poorly administered interventions generated a popular backlash and tainted in many minds the whole interventionist approach to economic development.

By the 1980s, a substantial number of influential people had come around to the conclusion that the government did not have the political and administrative capacity to successfully run a controlled economy that delivered on economic growth. Gandhi, chastened by the political defeats that followed her earlier attempts to impose strict controls, acquiesced to relaxing some of them. Her Cambridge-educated son, Rajiv Gandhi, who succeeded her as Prime Minister, enacted further liberalization. Certain industries and business activities were exempted from licensing requirements. Such measures helped to cause robust industrial growth in the late 1980s.

The About Turn

When a foreign exchange shortage threatened a crisis again in 1991, the government made a clear break with past policies. By then, the intellectual consensus in favor of state-led, import-substituting development strategies had greatly weakened. The breakup of the Soviet Union had substantially discredited central planning, and the export-led success of East Asian countries had thrown into light the drawbacks of an inward-looking model of development. Also, cultural changes in India, consisting of a deemphasis of asceticism and a greater acceptance of the pursuit of material gain, had made extensive economic controls untenable. 7 At the behest of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which provided rescue during the foreign exchange crisis, but also of its own accord, the government announced major economic reforms. It dismantled the license Raj almost overnight, slashed tax rates and import duties, removed controls on prices and entry of new firms, put up several SOEs for sale, and rolled out the welcome mat for foreign investors. Rather than socialism, the guiding principles of policy now were liberalization, privatization, and globalization.

The country’s share in world trade increased from 0.4 percent on the eve of the reforms to 1.5 percent in 2006, and foreign exchange shortages, once a chronic headache for policymakers, have now been replaced by reserves upward of US $350 billion . . .

The economy responded with a surge in growth, which averaged 6.3 percent annually in the 1990s and the early 2000s, a rate double that of earlier time frames. Shortages disappeared. On the eve of the reforms, the public telecom monopoly had installed five million landlines in the entire country and there was a seven-year waiting list to get a new line. In 2004, private cellular companies were signing up new customers at the rate of five million per month. The number of people who lived below the poverty line decreased between 1993 and 2009 from 50 percent of total population to 34 percent. The exact estimates vary depending on the poverty line used, but even alternative estimates indicate a post-1991 decline of poverty that is more rapid than at any other time since independence. The country’s share in world trade increased from 0.4 percent on the eve of the reforms to 1.5 percent in 2006, and foreign exchange shortages, once a chronic headache for policymakers, have now been replaced by reserves upward of US $350 billion—prompting debates about what to do with the “excess reserves.” 8

Several significant economic challenges remain for India. The economy has polarized into a highly productive, modern, and globally integrated formal sector, employing about 10 percent of the labor force, and a low-productivity sector consisting of agriculture and urban informal activities, engaging 90 percent of the labor force. The sectors that have experienced the most growth are services and capital-intensive manufacturing. It is illustrative that IT and pharmaceuticals are the two sectors of the economy with international renown. Such industries tend to be urban and employ mainly skilled workers. Yet to come India’s way are millions of lowskill manufacturing jobs that have allowed the poor in East Asian countries to climb into the middle class. Companies are loath to set up labor-intensive manufacturing because Indian labor laws are some of the most restrictive in the world. For example, a manufacturing unit hiring more than 100 workers cannot lay off any of them without seeking government permission, which is rarely granted. 9 Liberalization of labor laws tends to run into fierce political opposition. The second reason for the dearth of manufacturing jobs is that the country’s infrastructure is relatively deficient, and so companies increasingly practicing just-in-time inventory management do not find it cost-effective to include India in their global supply chains. 10

The provision of public services in India is appallingly poor. Government schools and clinics are underfunded and inadequately supervised, and their workers display low morale and high absenteeism. Yet such public institutions are rarely held accountable for their performance. 11 The middle class has largely opted out of the system in favor of private health care, schools, and transportation so there is little political pressure from them to improve the system. Most middle-class Indians now even own a power generator to cope with everyday power cuts. The poor take the brunt of the derelict public services. Two million children die in India every year from easily preventable diseases, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and immunization rates in India are amongst the lowest in the world. Air pollution levels in urban areas pose a severe public health crisis. According to a survey by the World Health Organization (WHO), thirteen out of the twenty most polluted cities in the world are Indian. 12 The country still relies heavily on inexpensive coal to generate power and has shown very little willingness to move toward alternative energy sources.

Given the current policies and state of governance in India, it is hard to see an obvious path into the middle class for the multitudes still remaining in poverty. Global demand for low-wage, low-skill labor to sew T-shirts or assemble TVs is not what it used to be, because production is now becoming increasingly mechanized and some of it is being “reshored” back to the rich countries. For several hundred million poor people in delicate health and with little education, the country will have to find a way to overcome the technical, institutional, and economic barriers to developing the capabilities necessary for functioning in a twenty-first-century economy. It is not a task for the faint-hearted.

India as a ‘developed’ country: where we are, and the challenges ahead, explained

The 'developed country' goal is the first of the five vows that prime minister narendra modi exhorted indians to take during his address to the nation on independence day. what does being a developed country entail, where does india stand now, and what are the challenges on the road that it faces here onward.

In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Indians to embrace the “Panch Pran” — five vows — by 2047 when the country celebrates 100 years of independence. The first vow, he said, is for India to become a developed country in the next 25 years. It was a “big resolution”, the PM said . What will it take?

What is a “developed” country?

Different global bodies and agencies classify countries differently. The ‘World Economic Situation and Prospects’ of the United Nations classifies countries into three broad categories: developed economies, economies in transition, and developing economies. The idea is “to reflect basic economic country conditions”, and the categories “are not strictly aligned with the regional classifications”. So, it isn’t as though all European countries are “developed”, and all Asian ones are “developing”.

To categorise countries by economic conditions, the United Nations uses the World Bank’s categorisation (chart 3, with selected countries), based on Gross National Income (GNI) per capita (in current US dollars).

But the UN’s nomenclature of “developed” and “developing” is being used less and less, and is often contested. Former US President Donald Trump had criticised the categorisation of China as a “developing” country, which allowed it to enjoy some benefits in the World Trade Organization. If China is a “developing” country, then the US should also be “made” one, Trump had said.

But why is the United Nations classification contested?

It can be argued that the UN classification is not very accurate and, as such, has limited analytical value. Only the top three mentioned in chart 3 alongside — the US, the UK and Norway — fall in the developed country category. There are 31 developed countries according to the UN in all. All the rest — except 17 “economies in transition” — are designated as “developing” countries, even though in terms of proportion, China’s per capita income is closer to Norway’s than Somalia’s. China’s per capita income is 26 times that of Somalia’s while Norway’s is just about seven times that of China’s.

Then there are countries — such as Ukraine , with a per capita GNI of $4,120 (a third of China’s) — that are designated as “economies in transition”.

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Where does India stand?

As chart 2 shows, India is currently far behind both the so-called developed countries, as well as some developing countries. Often, the discourse is on the absolute level of GDP (gross domestic product). On that metric, India is one of the biggest economies of the world — even though the US and China remain far ahead.

However, to be classified as a “developed” country, the average income of a country’s people matters more. And on per capita income, India is behind even Bangladesh. China’s per capita income is 5.5 times that of India, and the UK’s is almost 33 times.

The disparities in per capita income often show up in the overall quality of life in different countries. A way to map this is to look at the scores of India and other countries on the Human Development Index (HDI), a composite index where the final value is reached by looking at three factors: the health and longevity of citizens, the quality of education they receive, and their standard of life.

India has made a secular improvement on HDI metrics. For instance, the life expectancy at birth (one of the sub-metrics of HDI) in India has gone from around 40 years in 1947 to around 70 years now. India has also taken giant strides in education enrolment at all three levels — primary, secondary, and tertiary.

What is the distance left to cover?

When compared to the developed countries or China, India has a fair distance to cover. A 2018 diagnostic report on India by the World Bank said: “Even though India is the world’s third-largest economy in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, most Indians are still relatively poor compared to people in other middle income or rich countries. Ten per cent of Indians, at most, have consumption levels above the commonly used threshold of $10 (PPP) per day expenditures for the global middle class.”

Also, “Other metrics, such as the food share of consumption, suggest that even rich households in India would have to see a substantial expansion of their total consumption to reach levels of poor households in rich countries.”

How much can India achieve by 2047?

One way to make this assessment is to look at how long other countries took to get there. For instance, in per capita income terms, Norway was at India’s current level 56 years ago — in the year 1966.

Comparing India to China is more useful. China reached that mark in 2007. Theoretically then, if India were to grow as fast as China did between 2007 and 2022, then, broadly speaking, it will take India another 15 years to be where China is now. But then, China’s current per capita income was achieved by the developed countries several decades earlier — the UK in 1987, the US and Norway in 1979.

India’s current HDI score (0.64) is much lower than what any of the developed countries had even in 1980. China reached the 0.64 level in 2004, and took another 13 year to reach the 0.75 level — that, incidentally, is the level at which the UK was in 1980.

The World Bank’s 2018 report had made a mention of what India could achieve by 2047.

“By 2047 — the centenary of its independence — at least half its citizens could join the ranks of the global middle class. By most definitions this will mean that households have access to better education and health care, clean water, improved sanitation, reliable electricity, a safe environment, affordable housing, and enough discretionary income to spend on leisure pursuits,” it said.

But it also laid out a precondition for this to happen: “Fulfilling these aspirations requires income well above the extreme poverty line, as well as vastly improved public service delivery.”

To see this in perspective, note that at the last count, as of 2013, India had 218 million people living in extreme poverty — which made India home to the most number of poor people in the world.

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Development in India After Independence

Many think that India’s growth story since the 1947 was good. But several experts often opinion that the country’s development for the past six decades has been average. Despite the announcement of Five-Year Plans which focused on many sectors in order to speed up the pace of development, the result hasn’t been on expected lines. And, the country is taking its own time to climb up with the economic and social world.

Service Sector Growth

Telecom and software development had most of the growth in the nation’s services sector. A trend that started some twenty years back is now well in its prime. Several multinational companies continue to outsource their telecom and IT services to the country. In terms of employment, the services sector employs 24 % of the Indian workforce and this process of development started back in the 1980s. In the 1960s, the sector employed just 4.5% of the working population. According to the experts, the services sector accounted for 63% of Indian GDP (2008-09) and the numbers continues to grow.

Agriculture Sector Growth

Since Independence the growth in agriculture has been somewhat steady. The growth of the sector was about 1 percent per annum up to 1950’s. During the post-Independence era, the growth rate bumped about 2.6 percent per annum. Rapid expansion of farming lands and introduction of high-yielding varieties of crops were the major factors contributing to the growth in agricultural production. One of the significant effects of the growth was that it could well manage to end dependency on import of food grains. Despite the unpredictability of the monsoon, the sector has progressed both in terms of yield and structural changes. Other factors contributed to the growth include, good investment in research, land reforms, expansion of scope for lending facilities, and improvement in rural infrastructure. Besides, the country has also grown strong in the agri-biotech sector. A report from a leading financial institution had revealed that the agri-biotech sector has been growing at 30 percent since the last few years.

Infrastructure Development

Allocation of huge funds and availability of electricity had triggered large scale expansion of infrastructure. The Indian road network has become one of the largest in the world with the total road length increasing from 0.399 million km in 1951 to 4.24 million km in 2014 (July 2014). Moreover, the total length of the country’s national highways has increased from 24,000 km (1947-69) to 92,851 km (2014). Governmental efforts have led to the expansion of the network of State highways and major district roads, which in turn has directly contributed to industrial growth. After almost seven decades, India has bagged the third place in the list of largest producers of electricity in Asia. It has increased its electricity generation capacity from 1,362 MW in 1947 to 1,13,506 MW in 2004. When it comes to rural electrification, the Indian government has managed to bring lights to 5,93,732 (2013) villages as compared to 3061 in 1950.

Education sector

India has somewhat managed to bring its education system at par with the global standard in some cases. A number of initiatives have been implemented to eradicate illiteracy. The number of schools witnessed a dramatic increase after 1950’s. The government had declared elementary education, a fundamental right for children in the age group of 6-14 years by passing the 86th amendment to the Constitution in 2002. At independence, India’s literacy rate was a paltry 12.2 % which increased to 74.04% in 2011. The Government launched a big initiative under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan programme in 2001 to ensure education for the children from 6 to 14 years.

Health care sector

Increase in life-expectancy is considered one of the major achievements in health care in India. For example, life expectancy was around 37 years in 1951, it almost doubled to 65 years by 2011. Besides, Infant Mortality (IM) has also declined with death rate coming down to half of what it was during the 1940-50s. Moreover, similar developments were noticed in maternal mortality rate also. After a long-drawn struggle, India has finally been declared a polio-free country. Malnutrition in children under five years came down to 44% in 2005-06 from 67% in 1980. The number of tuberculosis cases also got reduced to 185 per lakh people in 2009. Moreover, the cases of HIV-infected people are also witnessing a declining trend. Government had also increased public health spending which is about 6- 6.5 % of the GDP.

Scientific achievements

India has reached new heights in rocket science and space technologies. Ever since, the launch of its first satellite Aryabhatta in 1975. India has emerged as a growing power that has successfully launched several foreign satellites. Its first mission to Mars was launched in November 2013 which successfully reached the planet’s orbit on 24 September 2014. Besides, space technology, India is also aggressively pursuing both nuclear and missile programmes. BrahMos Missile (with the help of Russia) inducted into the defence system is the world's fastest cruise missile. After more than six decades of independence, India has reached the level of being self-dependent in the field of space and missile technology.

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Essay on Development of India after Independence

Students are often asked to write an essay on Development of India after Independence in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Development of India after Independence

Introduction.

India gained independence on August 15, 1947. Since then, India’s development has been significant, marked by economic, social, and political changes.

Economic Development

India adopted mixed economy policies, promoting both public and private sectors. The Green Revolution improved agriculture, making India self-sufficient in food grains.

Social Development

India made strides in education and healthcare. The literacy rate rose, and efforts were made to eradicate diseases like polio.

Political Development

India became the largest democracy in the world. It has held regular elections and ensured the smooth transition of power.

Despite challenges, India’s post-independence development is commendable. It continues to progress with time.

250 Words Essay on Development of India after Independence

India’s journey post-independence has been one of significant transformation, marked by economic, political, and social changes. The country has evolved from a colonial economy based on agriculture to a modern, technology-driven economy.

Post-independence, India adopted a mixed economy model, balancing state-owned and private sectors. The Green Revolution in the 1960s boosted agricultural productivity, ensuring food security. The 1991 economic liberalization marked a turning point, opening India’s doors to foreign investment and paving the way for rapid economic growth.

India established itself as a democratic republic with a robust constitution. Despite numerous challenges, India’s democracy has remained resilient, ensuring political stability. Decentralization of power through the Panchayati Raj system empowered local governance, enhancing democratic participation.

India has made significant strides in social development. Universal adult suffrage, abolition of untouchability, and reservation policies have promoted social justice. However, issues like gender discrimination and casteism persist, indicating the need for continued efforts.

Technological Advancement

Technological progress has been remarkable, with ISRO’s Mars mission being a notable achievement. The IT revolution, spearheaded by companies like Infosys and TCS, has made India a global software hub.

India’s post-independence development is a testament to its resilience and adaptability. However, challenges like poverty, corruption, and inadequate public healthcare persist. As India continues to evolve, addressing these issues is crucial for sustainable development.

500 Words Essay on Development of India after Independence

Post-independence, India embarked on an ambitious journey of economic, social, and political transformation. The path was fraught with challenges, yet the nation emerged resilient, showcasing significant advancements across various sectors.

The early years of independence were marked by a mixed economy model, with an emphasis on public sector enterprises. The Five-Year Plans were initiated, focusing on sectors like agriculture, industry, and social services. The Green Revolution in the 1960s bolstered agricultural productivity, reducing India’s dependence on food imports.

However, the 1991 economic crisis led to a paradigm shift in economic policies. The government introduced liberalization, privatization, and globalization (LPG) reforms, opening up the economy to foreign investments and competition. As a result, India’s GDP has seen a consistent rise, and it is today one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

India has made significant strides in social development. Education, once a privilege, is now a fundamental right, leading to improved literacy rates. The government’s focus on universal education, particularly for the girl child, has been instrumental in this regard.

Healthcare, too, has seen substantial improvements. Programs like the National Health Mission have enhanced the accessibility and affordability of healthcare services, particularly in rural areas. However, challenges persist, with disparities in access and quality of services across different regions and social groups.

India’s political landscape has evolved significantly since independence. The democratic system has matured, with regular elections and peaceful transfers of power. The Panchayati Raj system has decentralized power, enabling grassroots democracy.

However, the political sphere hasn’t been devoid of challenges. Issues like corruption, criminalization of politics, and communalism have often threatened the democratic fabric of the country.

Technological Advancements

India’s technological advancements post-independence have been noteworthy. The establishment of institutes like the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has propelled India into the league of technologically advanced nations. ISRO’s successful Mars Orbiter Mission and the recent Gaganyaan mission are testaments to India’s prowess in space technology.

India’s journey since independence has been a story of resilience, progress, and transformation. The nation has made significant strides in economic, social, political, and technological spheres. However, challenges persist, and addressing them is crucial for India to realize its full potential. As we look forward to the future, the focus should be on inclusive and sustainable development, harnessing the power of technology, and strengthening democratic institutions. The journey of development is a continuous process, and India’s story is still being written.

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Development of India After Independence Essay

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Development of India After Independence Essay: India’s journey after gaining independence in 1947 has been nothing short of remarkable. The nation has made significant strides in various sectors, propelling itself towards economic growth, technological advancement, and social development. India’s development journey after independence has been a saga of growth, progress, and change. The nation, once struggling with poverty and colonial legacy, embarked on a path of economic and social transformation. Over the decades, India has achieved remarkable milestones, including technological advancements, improved healthcare, and increased literacy rates. While challenges persist, India’s journey reflects its resilience, diversity, and determination to build a prosperous and inclusive future. In this article, we’ll provide sample essays of varying lengths to illustrate its progress.

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Whether you need a 100-word overview or a more detailed 500-word essay on the topic “Development of India After Independence”, we’ve got your back. Refer to the sample essays given below.

Development of India After Independence Essay 1: 100 Words

India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, and since then, there has been a noteworthy development in various sectors. The country witnessed massive advancements in science and technology, education, infrastructure, and healthcare. The establishment of prestigious institutes like the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Space Research Organisation propelled India into becoming a global hub for technological innovation. Additionally, initiatives such as the Green Revolution brought about a paradigm shift in agriculture, leading to increased food production. Despite economic and social challenges, India’s progress after independence demonstrates the immense potential and resilience of its people.

Development of India After Independence Essay 2: 250 Words

The development of India after gaining independence in 1947 has been marked by significant achievements and transformative changes. At the time of independence, India faced numerous challenges, including widespread poverty, illiteracy, and inadequate infrastructure. However, the nation embarked on a journey of progress and development that has since witnessed remarkable milestones.

One of the key pillars of India’s development has been economic growth. The country implemented economic reforms in the 1990s, liberalizing various sectors and fostering entrepreneurship. This led to a surge in economic activity, attracting foreign investments, and propelling India into the ranks of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

India’s technological advancement has been another noteworthy achievement. The country’s IT industry has gained global recognition, and India has become a hub for software services and innovation. This technological prowess has not only boosted the economy but also enhanced India’s global standing.

Furthermore, India has made strides in improving healthcare and education. Initiatives like the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan have expanded healthcare access and increased literacy rates across the country. These efforts have had a positive impact on the overall quality of life for millions of Indians.

In conclusion, India’s development journey after independence is a testament to its resilience, diversity, and commitment to progress. While challenges remain, the nation has achieved significant growth in various sectors, positioning itself as a global economic and technological powerhouse.

Development of India After Independence Essay 3: 300 Words

India’s post-independence development has been a story of remarkable progress and transformation. After gaining independence in 1947, India faced numerous challenges, including poverty, illiteracy, and a fragile economy. However, the nation embarked on a journey of development that has witnessed significant milestones.

Economic growth has been a cornerstone of India’s progress. The nation adopted economic reforms in the 1990s, opening up its markets and attracting foreign investments. This led to robust economic expansion, making India one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. The IT and services sector, in particular, flourished, earning India a reputation as a global technology hub.

India’s technological advancements have also been a notable achievement. The country’s IT industry has grown exponentially, with Indian professionals contributing to innovation and software development on a global scale. This technological prowess has not only boosted the economy but has also strengthened India’s position in the global arena.

Improvements in healthcare and education have played a pivotal role in India’s development. Initiatives such as the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan have expanded access to healthcare and education in rural and remote areas. These efforts have resulted in increased literacy rates and improved healthcare outcomes, enhancing the quality of life for millions of Indians.

Additionally, India has made strides in infrastructure development, urbanization, and social inclusion. The nation has launched ambitious projects like “Make in India” and “Digital India,” aiming to boost manufacturing, innovation, and connectivity.

In conclusion, India’s journey of development after independence reflects its resilience, diversity, and commitment to progress. While challenges persist, the nation has made significant strides in various sectors, positioning itself as a global economic and technological powerhouse with a focus on inclusive growth and development.

Development of India After Independence Essay 4: 500 Words

India gained its independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, after a long and arduous struggle. With newfound freedom, the country faced numerous challenges, including poverty, illiteracy, and social inequality. However, over the years, India has made significant strides in its development and has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. This essay will discuss the development of India after independence in various aspects such as the economy, education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and technology.

One of the greatest achievements of post-independence India has been its economic growth. The country adopted a mixed economy model, combining elements of socialism and capitalism, and implemented several reforms to promote industrialization and foreign investment. As a result, India’s GDP has increased significantly, and poverty rates have declined.

The establishment of the Green Revolution in the 1960s revolutionized agriculture, making India self-sufficient in food production. Moreover, the liberalization policies of the 1990s opened up the economy to the global market, attracting foreign investments and boosting exports. Today, India is one of the largest economies in the world and continues to experience rapid growth.

Education has also been a priority for post-independence India. The government has implemented various initiatives to increase literacy rates and improve the quality of education. The Right to Education Act, passed in 2009, made education a fundamental right for all children between the ages of six and fourteen.

The expansion of the education system has resulted in a significant increase in literacy rates, which have more than doubled since independence. Moreover, India has established numerous prestigious educational institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institutes of Management, which are globally recognized for their excellence in education.

Healthcare has also witnessed remarkable progress in post-independence India. The government has implemented several schemes and programs to improve access to healthcare services, particularly for marginalized communities. The introduction of the National Rural Health Mission in 2005 aimed to provide quality healthcare services in rural areas, which have historically lacked adequate medical facilities.

Additionally, the government has launched initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, a national health protection scheme that provides health insurance to over 500 million people, further widening access to healthcare services. These efforts have resulted in improved healthcare outcomes, including a decline in infant mortality rates and an increase in life expectancy.

The development of agriculture has played a crucial role in India’s progress after independence. The Green Revolution, as mentioned earlier, helped the country achieve self-sufficiency in food production and ensure food security for its population.

The government has continued to implement various policies and schemes to support farmers, such as providing subsidies, promoting organic farming, and investing in irrigation facilities. These measures have led to increased agricultural productivity and income levels, contributing to rural development and poverty reduction.

Infrastructure development has been another focus of post-independence India. The government has invested heavily in the construction of roads, railways, airports, and ports, in both urban and rural areas. This has not only facilitated connectivity and transportation but has also attracted investments and boosted economic growth.

Additionally, initiatives like the Smart Cities Mission and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana have aimed to improve the quality of life in urban areas by providing better housing, sanitation facilities, and utilities.

Lastly, the rapid advancements in technology have played a crucial role in India’s development after independence. The country has emerged as a global leader in the information technology and software services sector.

The establishment of technology parks and the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation have fostered a thriving startup ecosystem. This has not only boosted economic growth but has also created employment opportunities for millions of Indians.

In conclusion, India has made significant strides in various aspects of development after gaining independence. The country has witnessed economic growth, increased access to education and healthcare, enhanced agricultural productivity, improved infrastructure, and advancements in technology. While challenges remain, such as poverty, inequality, and environmental issues, the progress made so far indicates a promising future for India’s continued development.

FAQs on Development of India After Independence Essay

How has india developed after gaining independence.

India has made significant progress in economic growth, technological advancement, healthcare, education, and infrastructure development since gaining independence in 1947.

What are the key milestones in India's development journey post-independence?

Key milestones include economic reforms, IT sector growth, improved healthcare and education, and infrastructure development.

How did economic reforms impact India's development after independence?

Economic reforms in the 1990s opened up India's markets, attracting foreign investments and propelling the nation into one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

What role did the IT industry play in India's development?

India's IT industry achieved global recognition, contributing to technological advancements and bolstering the nation's economy.

How has healthcare and education improved in India post-independence?

Initiatives like the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan have expanded access to healthcare and education, leading to increased literacy rates and improved healthcare outcomes.

What are some recent development initiatives in India?

Recent initiatives include Make in India and Digital India, which focus on boosting manufacturing, innovation, and connectivity.

What challenges does India still face in its development journey?

Challenges include poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, and addressing social inequalities.

India as a Developed Nation – Explained, pointwise

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1 Introduction
2 What is a developed nation?
3 Why is India classified as a developing country?
4 Why is India still a developing nation?
5 What have been India’s achievements since Independence?
6 How much gap is to be covered to make India a Developed Country by 2047?
7 What steps are required to make India a Developed Country?
8 Conclusion

Introduction

In his Independence Day speech on August 15, 2022, the Prime Minister of India said, “ We must work towards turning India into a developed nation by 2047. ” The PM spoke about India’s achievements and challenges while rolling out the 25-year goal to make India a developed nation by 100th year of Independence . India is still classified as a developing country and the gap to be plugged to become a developed country is still very wide. Hence, achieving this target will not be easy. Nevertheless, this is an ambitious and worthy target. And to achieve this ambition, very dedicated and focused efforts would be required from all t he stakeholders, the Government and citizens, the public institutions as well as the private sector, from the policymaking to its flawless execution.

What is a developed nation?

Although, India is world’s sixth largest economy with a GDP of ~US$ 3 trillion, it is classified as a developing nation .

There is no all-agreed definition of a developed country . More than a strict definition, a developed country differs from a developing one in categorisation used by international institutions e.g., the United Nations uses the World Bank’s categorisation based on Gross National Income (GNI) per capita (in current US dollars). It classifies countries into low (Income < US$ 1,086), lower-middle (Income between US$ 1,086-4,255), upper-middle (Income between US$ 4,256-13,205) and high-income countries (Income > US$ 13,205). The low and middle-income countries are referred to as developing countries , and the high-income economies as developed nations.

Classification of Countries by Income India as Developed Country UPSC

Source: Indian Express

* (Atlas Method: The World Bank’s official estimates of the size of economies are based on GNI converted to current U.S. dollars using the World Bank Atlas method. The Atlas method smoothes exchange rate fluctuations by using a three year moving average , price-adjusted conversion factor ) .

Apart from the income criterion, there are other broad parameters based on which distinction is made. A developed nation is industrialized , has a high quality of life , a developed economy and advanced technological infrastructure relative to less industrialized nations. Developed countries perform well on key economic criteria:

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) : Countries with a high GDP and per capita income (the amount of money earned per person) are considered developed.

Level of industrialisation : Countries in which the tertiary and quaternary sectors of industry dominate are described as developed. Developed countries generally have more advanced post-industrial economies, meaning the service sector provides more wealth than the industrial sector .

The Tertiary Sector includes companies that provide services such as financial, retail, legal, business processes etc. Quaternary sectors include knowledge-based activities such as information technology, research, and development, as well as consulting services and education.

Other criteria are the scale of infrastructure, the general standard of living, and the Human Development Index (HDI) .

Why is India classified as a developing country?

First , the World Bank currently categorizes India as a lower-middle income economy . On per capita income, India is behind even Bangladesh . China’s per capita income is 5.5 times that of India, and the UK’s is almost 33 times.

Second , there has been substantial progress in infrastructure development in the last 75 years but still millions in villages even now go hungry and are devoid of schools, hospitals, roads and other such basic facilities.

Third , the level of infrastructure in urban areas is poor. Most Indian cities have vast slum areas indicative of poverty. There is inadequate piped clean drinking water system, sewerage network or waste treatment facilities. Urban transport infrastructure is unable to cope up with rising vehicles. Urban flooding has become a common phenomena.

Fourth , India performs poorly with respect to social indicators in comparison to developed nations e.g., the infant mortality rate (the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births) has reduced from 76 in 1996 to 27 in 2020, but it was still over four times the OECD average of 6. Less than 33% of India’s population had received tertiary education, compared to 77% in the OECD economies. India’s female labor force participation declined in the last 25 years, whereas it increased in OECD countries.

India’s Human Development Index Score at present is 0.645 (UNDP 2020 Report) and is ranked at 131. Most developed nations have HDI Score > 0.85 (top 40 countries).

Human Development Index trend India as Developed Nation UPSC

India’s per capita energy consumption is much below developed countries.

Energy Consumption in Developed Countries UPSC

Source: Business Standard

Why is India still a developing nation?

First , the British colonial rule drained Indian economy for almost 200 years. According to some estimates, India’s share in the world economy declined from 24.4% in 1700 to 4.2% in 1950. India at Independence, inherited a very weak economy with poor industrial base, under-developed agriculture and poor quality of human resource (18% literacy).

Second , the speed of development has not been as good as it should have been to leapfrog into the developed nations bracket. The reasons include: (a) India has the second largest population in the world that is mostly poor . This places a huge financial burden on the government finances; (b) High levels of corruption and inadequate technological advancement have also slowed down India’s growth story; (c) Almost ~ 50% of the people are still engaged in the primary sector (agriculture etc.) whose income generation potential is low. Vast potentials in the secondary (industry) and tertiary (services) also are yet to be realized. Economists argue that failure to undertake reforms in agriculture (like China did in 1970s-80s) prevented structural transformation of Indian economy (higher proportion of tertiary and secondary sector in employment); (d) The pace of economic growth for the most part since Independence hovered around 3%. This pace of economic growth was too slow to pull large proportion of population out of poverty.

What have been India’s achievements since Independence?

Development Parameters Since Independence UPSC

Source: Mint

How much gap is to be covered to make India a Developed Country by 2047?

Income Growth to make India a Developed Country UPSC

To catch up with the OECD economies, India will need to increase its infrastructure considerably e.g., India had only 30 colleges per 100,000 people in 2019-20, and AISHE data shows that enrolments per college declined compared to 2015-16. So to reach OECD level of 77% tertiary education level is huge task.

India’s life expectancy at birth would have to improve faster than it did in the last 25 years to reach OECD levels. At the current pace, it would fall short of OECD economies—India added nine years to life expectancy for both males and females between 1995 and 2020.

Similarly, India’s IMR is expected to be above OECD Level, though the gap would have been plugged to a large extent by 2047.

Hence, the biggest challenge in achieving the target by 2047 is that the gap with repect to the developed countries is too big.

What steps are required to make India a Developed Country?

First , India must undertake reforms for structural transformation of the economy. There is need to create employment opportunities in the secondary (industrial) and tertiary (service) sectors in order to raise income levels and reduce the burden of population on agriculture. The transformation is necessary to reap the demographic dividend.

Second , the delivery standard of Government services , especially in health and education need radical improvement. The Government must increase public expenditure on health and education and bring it at par with the developed economies (as % of the GDP).

Third , there is a need for a strong action to curb corruption . This would ensure that Government benefits reach the intended beneficiaries and leakages are minimized. Similarly a check on tax evasion will ensure an increase in Government’s tax revenues, which will improve room for spending on welfare sector.

Fourth , the urban local governance must be transformed. The urban planning process needs an overhaul in order to ensure sustainable and inclusive urbanization .

Fifth , to make India a developed nation, the deep rooted inequalities in Indian society must be eliminated , especially gender inequalities. It is an ongoing transformation. In lots of aspects, the situation has improved considerably since Independence e.g., in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, 40% of India’s medallists were women. Yet, there is need to eliminate injustices on the basis of gender, caste, religion, region etc. in order to create a just and inclusive society .

In essence, making India a developed nation by 2047 is a big challenge. While policies and their effective implementation will be the primary levers to achieve this goal, ensuring unity, and thus, a unified purpose, should be the first step towards ‘Mission 2047’. Many commentators had written India off in 1947; yet India not only survived, but thrived in many dimensions. The same spirit is needed now to realize India’s full potential and make it a developed country.

Syllabus : GS III, Indian Economy and issues related to growth and development.

Source : Indian Express , Economic Times , Business Standard , Mint

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Economic Growth and Development in India essay

Economic growth and development in india.

The economy is the system of goods and money used by a given society. Growth means getting bigger. Development means becoming more advanced or complex.

Economic growth and development can mean an economy that becomes advanced, larger, diverse, profitable, and expand into new regions/horizons.

Economic Growth and Development in India: When the Britishers left, our country was economically backward. The self-sufficient village economy based on cottage industries and old handicraft items were losing demand because of the introduction of industrial products.

With the decline of cottage and handicraft industries, the traditional economic base of Indian society was in bad shape. On the other hand, there was insufficiency in the field of industrial society as well. As a result majority, population in our country remained undeveloped and poverty-stricken.

At the time of Independence, the economy of our country was poor. The Indian Government had to plan for balanced economic growth and development of a huge country. The removal of poverty, illiteracy and industrial and technological underdevelopment was the most important challenges before the state.

The Constitution in the chapter Directive Principles of State Policy laid down the methods for securing economic development and economic justice. The state shall direct its policy towards securing the following:

Providing adequate means of livelihood.
Distributing the ownership of material resources of the community for common good.
The prevention of concentration of wealth.
Securing equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
Securing of all the workers reasonable wages and a decent standard of life.
Raise the standard of living and to improve public heath.
State shall try to promote cottage industries.

The Government of India has undertaken several initiatives aiming economic growth and development. For the industrial and technological development of the country, the Constitution provides for setting up of a Planning Commission* to frame plans and programs for the rapid economic development of the country. Community development Projects, National Extension Services were launched. A chain of scientific laboratories, agricultural Research Institutions, Technical Institutions, a gigantic public sector of economy, were created. Means of transport and communication system such as railways, airways, waterways have developed.

During the last few decades, India has made good economic progress in the field of Information Technology, Infrastructure, Agriculture, and other sectors. At present India is considered a major developing country with an average GDP growth rate of around 7 percent. In terms of nominal GDP, India is ranked seventh in the world.

During the last quarter of year 2014, India surprised the world by becoming the world’s fastest growing major economy. (Source: wikipedia)

But in spite of all this progress, it cannot be said that the problem of national integration, social issues, poverty, inflation, income disparity, etc. has been solved. Industrialization is confined to few states and cities, and a bulk of rural areas unaffected by industrialization. The society has been divided into two classes:

A section of people who are below poverty line, and
Another section of people who have taken the advantages of all the developments.

The extremes of poverty are a hindrance in the process of national integration. Without a balanced economic growth and development, national unity cannot be achieved.

Inflation is another factor that has affected the economic growth of our country. Inflation happens when the currency becomes less able to purchase goods due to rising prices. High inflation is usually bad for an economy. However, low or moderate level of inflation is often considered healthy for economic development.

Conclusion: Economic growth and development is essential for best utilization of resources, economic welfare, and sustainability. Economic growth ought to improve citizens’ living standards. Bigger economies grow in a sustainable way and have more global influence.

*Note: In 2014, the planning commission was dissolved. On 1st January, 2015, NITI Aayog was formed in place of Planning commission.

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Development of India After Independence Essay for Students

Development of India After Independence Essay: Here in this article you will get essay on the development of india after independence in 500, 300, 250, 200, 150, and 100 words to enhance your writing skill. India’s development since independence has been a journey of remarkable growth and progress. Economic reforms, agricultural advancements, and social initiatives have contributed to India’s rise as a global power.

The liberalization of the economy, the Green Revolution, and initiatives promoting education and women’s empowerment have driven positive change. Challenges remain, but India’s commitment to inclusive development and ongoing efforts ensure a promising future. Hence let’s learn the development of India after independence essays in different words count.

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Development of India After Independence Essay in English

India, a country with a rich cultural heritage and a diverse population, was independent of British colonial rule on August 15, 1947. This significant event marked the beginning of a new era for India, opening doors to opportunities and challenges in various sectors. The development of India after independence has been a topic of immense interest and debate. This essay will explore the key aspects of India’s development, ranging from economic growth and social reforms to technological advancements and political milestones.

Economic Development: From Rags to Riches

Economic reforms and liberalization.

After gaining independence, India faced the daunting task of addressing widespread poverty, illiteracy, and underdevelopment. The government recognized the need for economic reforms and initiated several policies to promote industrialization and economic growth. One of the most significant milestones in India’s economic development was the liberalization of the economy in the 1990s.

Economic liberalization in India refers to the series of reforms aimed at opening up the Indian economy to foreign investment and reducing government regulations. These reforms resulted in increased foreign direct investment, improved infrastructure, and establishment of special economic zones.

Green Revolution: Transforming Agriculture

Agriculture has always been a crucial sector in India, employing a significant portion of the population. The Green Revolution, a series of agricultural initiatives implemented in the 1960s and 1970s, was pivotal in transforming India’s agricultural landscape. This movement focused on increasing crop productivity by using high-yielding varieties of seeds, advanced irrigation techniques, and modern farming practices.

The Green Revolution led to a significant increase in food production, making India self-sufficient in food grains. Adopting new technologies and agricultural practices improved yields, enhanced rural livelihoods, and reduced poverty.

Information Technology Boom: India as an IT Powerhouse

India’s emergence as a global IT powerhouse has been remarkable in its post-independence development journey. The country’s abundant pool of skilled technical professionals, coupled with favorable government policies, contributed to the growth of the information technology industry.

The Indian IT industry gained momentum in the 1990s when several multinational companies started outsourcing their IT services to Indian firms. This led to the establishment of numerous software development centers and created employment opportunities for millions of Indian professionals.

Today, India is renowned for its software services, IT consulting, and outsourcing business processes. The IT sector has played a vital role in India’s economic growth, contributing significantly to its GDP and export earnings.

Social Development: Empowering the Masses

Education for all: promoting literacy.

Education is one of the key focus areas of post-independence development in India. The government recognized the importance of education in empowering the masses and ensuring overall societal progress. Efforts were made to expand access to education, particularly primary education, to achieve the goal of universal literacy.

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan , a flagship program launched in 2001, aims to provide free and compulsory education for all children aged 6-14. This initiative was crucial in improving literacy rates and reducing the gender gap in education.

Women’s Empowerment: Breaking Barriers

Women’s empowerment has been a key aspect of India’s development after independence. The government and various non-governmental organizations have implemented several initiatives to promote gender equality and empower women economically, socially, and politically.

Efforts such as the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, which translates to “Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter,” focused on improving the status of girls in society and encouraging their education. Reservation policies have also been implemented to increase women’s representation in political bodies and public institutions.

Healthcare: A Focus on Public Health

Improving healthcare facilities and ensuring access to quality medical services have been significant priorities in India’s development after independence. The government has undertaken various initiatives to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure and provide affordable healthcare to all sections of society.

The National Health Mission , launched in 2013 aimed to provide universal access to equitable, affordable, and quality healthcare services. This initiative has established primary health centers, vaccination campaigns, and awareness programs, resulting in improved health indicators and reduced mortality rates.

Political Milestones: Nurturing Democracy

The constitution: a testament to democracy.

India’s Constitution, adopted in January 26, 1950, is a remarkable achievement in the country’s post-independence journey. It is one of the world’s longest and most comprehensive constitutions, providing a robust framework for democratic governance.

The Constitution of India enshrines its citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms, guarantees equality before the law, and establishes a representative and accountable government system. It has played a pivotal role in nurturing and safeguarding democracy.

Electoral Reforms: Strengthening Democracy

India’s democratic system relies on free and fair elections to ensure the representation of the people’s will. Several electoral reforms have been implemented to strengthen the democratic process and make it more inclusive and transparent.

Electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the 1990s revolutionized the electoral process, making it more efficient and reducing the scope for malpractices. The Election Commission of India, an independent constitutional authority, has been instrumental in conducting elections and ensuring their integrity.

Panchayati Raj: Grassroots Democracy

The Panchayati Raj system in India has been a significant milestone in decentralizing power and promoting grassroots democracy. It empowers local self-government institutions at the village, intermediate, and district levels, allowing them to decide on local governance matters.

Panchayati Raj institutions have been crucial in improving rural infrastructure, implementing welfare schemes, and enhancing citizen participation in decision-making processes. They have helped bridge the gap between the government and the people, ensuring effective and responsive governance at the grassroots level.

The development of India after independence has been a fascinating journey, marked by significant achievements and persistent challenges. India has made remarkable progress in various spheres, from economic reforms and social empowerment to political milestones and technological advancements.

However, there is still a long way to go in ensuring inclusive development, reducing inequalities, and addressing the aspirations of its vast population. The continued commitment of the government, civil society, and the people of India will be crucial in shaping the nation’s bright and prosperous future.

Development of India After Independence Essay in 500 Words

India, known for its rich cultural heritage and diversity, achieved independence from British colonial rule in August 15, 1947. This momentous occasion marked the beginning of a new era for India, bringing the promise of progress and development. In the following decades, India witnessed significant changes in various sectors, leading to its emergence as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. This essay explores the development of India after independence, highlighting key areas of growth and the challenges that accompanied them.

One of the primary areas of focus for post-independence India was economic development. The country inherited a struggling economy characterized by widespread poverty and underdevelopment. To address these challenges, the Indian government introduced a series of economic reforms and policies to promote industrialization and attract foreign investment. One of the landmark reforms was the liberalization of the economy in the 1990s, which opened doors to globalization and trade. The move was pivotal in transforming India into a major player in the global economy.

Developing India’s agricultural sector was another crucial aspect of post-independence growth. The Green Revolution, a series of agricultural initiatives implemented in the 1960s and 1970s, revolutionized farming practices and significantly increased crop yields. The introduction of high-yielding varieties of seeds, modern irrigation techniques, and improved farming practices resulted in a boost in agricultural productivity. This not only made India self-sufficient in food production but also contributed to poverty reduction and improved rural livelihoods.

Furthermore, the development of India’s service sector, particularly the information technology (IT) industry, has been instrumental in its progress. India has emerged as a global IT powerhouse, offering various services, including software development, IT consulting, and business process outsourcing. The IT sector has become a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings for the country, attracting multinational companies and driving innovation.

In addition to economic growth, India focused on social development after independence. Education has become a key priority, with efforts made to improve literacy rates and provide access to quality education for all. The government launched programs such as the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to achieve universal primary education. These initiatives helped increase literacy rates and reduce the gender gap in education, empowering individuals and fostering human capital development.

Women’s empowerment was another critical aspect of social development in post-independence India. The government and various organizations worked together to promote gender equality and enhance the status of women in society. Initiatives such as the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign aimed at improving girls’ welfare and education, while reservation policies ensured increased representation of women in political bodies and public institutions.

Healthcare has also received significant attention in the development process. The government implemented various programs and policies to improve healthcare infrastructure and provide accessible and affordable medical services to all citizens. The National Health Mission , launched in 2013, focuses on enhancing primary healthcare services, immunization, and maternal and child health. These efforts contributed to improved health indicators and a reduction in mortality rates.

While India has made significant strides in its development journey, challenges persist. Income inequality, regional disparities, and inadequate infrastructure in certain areas are among the issues that must be addressed. Moreover, sustainable development and environmental conservation have become key priorities in the face of rapid industrialization and urbanization.

In conclusion, the development of India after independence has been a remarkable journey of progress and transformation. The country’s economic growth, agricultural advancements, and social development initiatives have uplifted millions of lives. However, there is still work to be done to ensure inclusive and sustainable development for all. With continued efforts and the commitment of the government and its people, India has the potential to achieve even greater heights in the future.

Short Essay About Development of India After Independence in 250 / 300 Words

India’s development since independence has been a remarkable journey of growth and transformation. After gaining freedom from British colonial rule in 1947, the country embarked on a path of progress and development. In the economic sphere, India implemented various reforms and policies to promote industrialization and attract foreign investment. The liberalization of the economy in the 1990s played a crucial role in transforming India into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

The agricultural sector also witnessed significant advancements through the Green Revolution. Introducing high-yielding seeds, modern farming techniques, and improved irrigation systems led to a substantial increase in crop production. This ensured food security, improved rural livelihoods, and reduced poverty.

India’s service sector, particularly the IT industry, has emerged as a global powerhouse. The country has become a hub for software development, IT consulting, and business process outsourcing. The IT sector generated employment opportunities, contributed to foreign exchange earnings, and played a vital role in driving innovation and technological advancements.

In the social sphere, India focused on education and women’s empowerment. Efforts were made to improve literacy rates and provide quality education to all citizens. Programs like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan aim to achieve universal primary education and reduce the gender gap in education. The government also implemented initiatives to promote gender equality and empower women economically, socially, and politically.

Healthcare receives significant attention by implementing policies and programs to improve healthcare infrastructure and provide accessible and affordable medical services. The National Health Mission focuses on primary healthcare services, immunization, and maternal and child health. These efforts led to improved health indicators and reduced mortality rates.

Despite these achievements, challenges remain. Income inequality, regional disparities, and environmental sustainability are among the issues that must be addressed. However, India’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development, along with continued efforts and initiatives, promises a brighter future.

In conclusion, India’s development after independence has been marked by economic growth, agricultural advancements, social reforms, and improvements in healthcare and education. The country has made significant progress but still faces challenges that must be overcome. With its vast potential and the determination of its people, India is poised to continue its development journey and become a global powerhouse in the years to come.

Essay on Development of India After Independence in 150 / 200 Words

The development of India after independence has been a remarkable journey of growth and progress. With a focus on economic, social, and educational advancement, India has made significant strides in various sectors. Economic reforms and policies have attracted foreign investment and propelled India’s economic growth, making it one of the fastest-growing economies globally.

The agricultural sector underwent a transformative phase with the Green Revolution, leading to increased crop yields and improved food security. The service sector, particularly the IT industry, emerged as a global leader, contributing to employment generation and technological innovation.

India’s commitment to social development is evident through initiatives to improve education, empower women, and enhance healthcare services. Efforts to achieve universal primary education, reduce gender disparities, and provide accessible and affordable healthcare have yielded positive outcomes.

While challenges such as income inequality and regional disparities persist, India’s development journey is a testament to its resilience and determination. With continued efforts and a focus on inclusive and sustainable development, India is poised to achieve even greater heights.

FAQs on India’s Development After Independence Essay

1. what were the major challenges faced by india after independence.

Answer: After independence, India faced numerous challenges, such as widespread poverty, illiteracy, social inequalities, and the need for economic development. Building a unified nation from a diverse population with different languages, cultures, and religions was also a significant challenge.

2. How has India’s economy transformed since independence?

Answer: India’s economy has witnessed significant transformation since independence. From being primarily rural, it has evolved into a diverse and dynamic economy with a strong industrial and services sector. Economic reforms, liberalization, and technological advancements have been crucial in this transformation.

3. What role did Mahatma Gandhi play in India’s development after independence?

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, played a pivotal role in India’s development after independence. His philosophy of non-violence, emphasis on rural development, and advocacy for social justice and equality laid the foundation for various initiatives in independent India.

4. How has India’s social fabric changed since independence?

Answer: India’s social fabric has witnessed significant changes since independence. Promoting education, women’s empowerment, and healthcare have contributed to improved social indicators. However, challenges such as caste-based discrimination, gender inequality, and regional disparities persist and require continuous attention.

5. What are the key sectors driving India’s economic growth today?

Answer: India’s economic growth is driven by various sectors, including information technology, manufacturing, services, agriculture, and healthcare. The IT sector, in particular, has emerged as a major contributor to GDP and employment generation.

6. What are the prospects for India’s development?

Answer: India’s development journey is ongoing, with several opportunities and challenges on the horizon. The country has the potential to harness its demographic dividend, invest in sustainable development, and leverage technological advancements for inclusive growth. However, addressing issues such as income inequality, environmental sustainability, and social disparities will be crucial for a sustainable and equitable future.

I hope you enjoy the development of India after the independence essay. If you need an essay on any topic, feel free to ask in comments. Happy Learning and good luck!!

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Development in India After Independence

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India, which has now turned into a significant nation internationally has grown a ton since it got its freedom from the British East India Company rule. Yet, very much like all the other things, various individuals have various sentiments about it. While some think that it has seen huge development, others are of the view that the development is delayed when contrasted with what it ought to be. Regardless of these differentiating sees, the way that remains is that the India we see today is unique in relation to what it was during autonomy.

It has created regarding the foundation, schooling, medical care, science and innovation, and in practically any remaining areas. Yet, it is viewed as a non-industrial country. This infers that the nation is requiring some investment to find the created world. Allow us now to take a gander at the improvements that India has made in various areas in the beyond seventy years.

Indian Development After Independence

Table of Content

India after independence- achievements, significant developments in india after independence, two phases of economy, administration sector growth, development of the agriculture sector, foundation development, the first independence day of india, logical achievements.

After independence, Indian citizens have the right to vote for choosing the government into power. Important leaders who helped to secure independence was Mahatma Gandhi, who began the fight for independence since 1914. Mangal Pandey was the first freedom fighter from India who fought against British in 1857.

Some important developments in India after independence have been as follows:

Indian Railways operate with about 7000 stations and was formed in 1951.
First general elections in India was held in 1951 with Congress winning over majority.
India developed Asia’s first nuclear reactor. Apsara nuclear reactor was developed in 1956.
Chandrayan 1 came to be launched in 2008 to the moon.

A free India was granted a broke economy, broad ignorance, and stunning destitution. Contemporary financial specialists partition the historical backdrop of India’s monetary development into two stages – the initial 45 years after autonomy and very nearly thirty years of the unrestricted economy. The years going before the financial progression were predominantly set apart by cases wherein monetary improvement got deteriorated because of an absence of significant strategies.

The financial changes acted as the hero with the start of a strategy of progression and privatization. An adaptable modern permitting strategy and a casual FDI strategy began getting positive reactions from worldwide financial backers. Among the main considerations that drove India’s economic development following the financial changes of 1991 were expanded FDI, reception of data innovation, and expanded homegrown utilization.

A significant improvement in the country’s administration area has been noticeable in the telecom and data innovation areas. A pattern that began exactly twenty years back is currently well thriving. A few worldwide firms keep on re-appropriating their tele administrations and IT administrations to India, bringing about the development of ITES, BPO, and KPO organizations. The securing of mastery in data innovation has prompted the age of thousands of new positions, which thus expanded homegrown utilization, and normally, more unfamiliar direct speculations ended up satisfying the needs.

As of now, the administration area utilizes over 30% of the Indian labor force and this course of improvement began, thinking back in the 1980s. During the 60s, the area utilized just 4.5% of the functioning populace. As per the Economic Survey 2021-22, the administration area represented over half of the Indian GDP, and the figures are supposed to fill from now on.

Since the 1950s, the advancement in agribusiness has been fairly consistent. The area developed at around 1% per annum in the main portion of the twentieth hundred years. During the post-Independence time, the development rate bumped around 2.6 percent per annum. The central point of development in agrarian creation was the extension of cultivating regions and the presentation of high-yielding assortments of harvests. The area could figure out how to end its reliance on imported food grains. It has advanced both concerning yield and underlying changes.

Reliable interest in research, land changes, development of degrees for credit offices, and improvement in the provincial foundation were some other deciding variables that achieved an agrarian upset in the country. The nation has likewise developed further in the agri-biotech area. The Rabobank report uncovers that the agri-biotech area has been developing at 30% in a couple of years. The nation is likewise liable to turn into a significant maker of hereditarily changed/designed crops.

The Indian street network has become one of the biggest on the planet with the all-out street length expanding from 0.399 million km in 1951 to 4.70 million km starting around 2015. Also, the complete length of the country’s public thruways has expanded from 24,000 km (1947-69) to 1,37,625 km (2021). Legislative endeavors have prompted the extension of the organization of State parkways and significant local streets, which thus has straightforwardly added to modern development.

As India needs the ability to drive its development motor, it has set off a critical improvement in the accessibility of energy by embracing a multi-pronged methodology. After just about seventy years of Independence, India has arisen as the third biggest maker of power in Asia. It has expanded its power age limit from 1,362 MW in 1947 to 3,95,600 MW starting around 2022. By and large, the power age in India has expanded from 301 billion units (BUs) during 1992-93 to 400990.23 MW in 2022. With regards to provincial jolt, the Indian government has figured out how to carry lights to each of the 18,452 towns by April 28, 2018, when contrasted with 3061 every 1950.

Progress in Education Sector

Hauling itself out from far and wide ignorance, India has figured out how to carry its school system at standard with the worldwide norm. The number of schools saw a sensational increment during the post-freedom period. The Parliament made rudimentary training a major ideal for youngsters in the age gathering of 6-14 years by passing the 86th amendment to the Constitution in 2002. At freedom, India’s education rate was a miserable 12.2 % which expanded to 74.04% according to the 2011 evaluation.

Accomplishments in the Field of Healthcare

A reduction in death rates is viewed as one of the significant accomplishments that came in India’s direction in this area. While the future was close to 37 years in 1951, it nearly multiplied to 65 years by 2011. In 2022, it was expanded to 70.19 years. Comparative improvement was seen in the maternal death rate too. India’s maternal death rate likewise declined from 212 passings for every 100,000 live births in 2007 to 103 passings in 2017-19, according to a report by The Hindu.

First Independence Day in India took place in 1947. Jawahar Lal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India, unfurled the tri-colour flag of India. Prime Minister of India hoists the tri-colour flag in Red Fort and first Independence Day of India is dedicated to brave men and women who laid their lives to free their motherland.

Autonomous India has taken certain steps on its street to logical turn of events. Its ability is being appeared in a steady increase of aggressive ventures. India invests wholeheartedly in its space programs, which started with the send-off of its most memorable satellite Aryabhatta in 1975. From that point forward, India has arisen as a space power that has effectively sent off unfamiliar satellites. Through Chandrayaan-1, India turned into the fourth country on the planet to establish its banner on the lunar surface in 2008. Its most memorable mission to Mars was sent off in November 2013 which effectively arrived at the planet’s circle on 24 September 2014. In June 2015, ISRO sent off 104 satellites (most noteworthy on the planet) from a solitary rocket through PSLV-C37.

India is additionally forcefully seeking both atomic and rocket programs. That has all the while expanded the country’s safeguard strength also. BrahMos drafted into the safeguarding framework is the world’s quickest voyage rocket that has been together evolved by India and Russia. After over sixty years of autonomy, India has now drawn nearer to being a free power to deal with in the field of atomic and rocket innovation.

A significant contribution to the economy and technological advancements and Indians are known for their hard work, dedication, and resilience in their contribution to the country. Indians have excelled in different fields since independence. In different fields like technology, sports, and others Indians have excelled.

Frequently Asked Questions

How india has developed in 75 years.

Infrastructural development drastically improved in 75 years. There was advancement in the road network, rail lines, airports, and many other important types of developments in various other sectors, contributing to the economy of India.

What are the major developments in India?

The major developments in India are as follows: Historic Tax Reform Digitization Drive Institutional Reforms

How has India developed in the last 10 years?

India’s GDP Growth rate has increased in the last 10 years by an average growth rate of 6-7 percent.

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Essay on India For Students and Children

500+ words essay on india.

India is a great country where people speak different languages but the national language is Hindi. India is full of different castes, creeds, religion, and cultures but they live together. That’s the reasons India is famous for the common saying of “ unity in diversity “. India is the seventh-largest country in the whole world.

Geography and Culture

India has the second-largest population in the world. India is also knowns as Bharat, Hindustan and sometimes Aryavart. It is surrounded by oceans from three sides which are Bay Of Bengal in the east, the Arabian Sea in the west and Indian oceans in the south. Tiger is the national animal of India. Peacock is the national bird of India. Mango is the national fruit of India. “ Jana Gana Mana ” is the national anthem of India . “Vande Mataram” is the national song of India. Hockey is the national sport of India. People of different religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism , Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity and Judaism lives together from ancient times. India is also rich in monuments, tombs, churches, historical buildings, temples, museums, scenic beauty, wildlife sanctuaries , places of architecture and many more. The great leaders and freedom fighters are from India.

F lag of India

The indian flag has tricolors.

The first color that is uppermost color in the flag which is the saffron color, stands for purity. The second color i.e. the middle color in the flag is the white color and it stands for peace. The third color that is the lowest color in the flag is the green color and it stands for fertility. The white color has an Ashoka Chakra of blue color on it. Ashoka Chakra contains twenty-four spokes which are equally divided. India has 29 states and 7 union territories.

Follow this link to get a Physical and state-wise Map of India

My Favorite States from India are as follows –

Rajasthan itself has a glorious history. It is famous for many brave kings, their deeds, and their art and architecture. It has a sandy track that’s why the nuclear test was held here. Rajasthan is full of desert, mountain range, lakes, dense forest, attractive oases, and temples, etc. Rajasthan is also known as “Land Of Sacrifice”. In Rajasthan, you can see heritage things of all the kings who ruled over there and for that, you can visit Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Chittaurgarh, etc.

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is bigger than a foreign (Italy) country and smaller than Oman. It also has tourists attractions for its places. In Madhya Pradesh, you can see temples, lakes, fort, art and architecture, rivers, jungles, and many things. You can visit in Indore, Jabalpur, Ujjain, Bhopal, Gwalior and many cities. Khajuraho, Sanchi Stupa, Pachmarhi, Kanha national park, Mandu, etc. are the places must visit.

Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir are known as heaven on earth . We can also call Jammu and Kashmir as Tourists Paradise. There are many places to visit Jammu and Kashmir because they have an undisturbed landscape, motorable road, beauty, lying on the banks of river Jhelum, harmony, romance, sceneries, temples and many more.

In Jammu and Kashmir, u can enjoy boating, skiing, skating, mountaineering, horse riding, fishing, snowfall, etc. In Jammu and Kashmir, you can see a variety of places such as Srinagar, Vaishnav Devi, Gulmarg, Amarnath, Patnitop, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Lamayuru, Nubra Valley, Hemis, Sanasar, Anantnag, Kargil, Dachigam National Park, Pulwama, Khilanmarg, Dras, Baltal, Bhaderwah, Pangong Lake, Magnetic Hill, Tso Moriri, Khardung La, Aru Valley, Suru Basin,Chadar Trek, Zanskar Valley, Alchi Monastery, Darcha Padum Trek, Kishtwar National Park, Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Nyoma, Dha Hanu, Uleytokpo, Yusmarg, Tarsar Marsar Trek and many more.

It is known as the ‘God’s Own Country’, Kerala is a state in India, situated in the southwest region, it is bordered by a number of beaches; covered by hills of Western Ghats and filled with backwaters, it is a tourist destination attracting people by its natural beauty. The most important destinations which you can see in Kerela are the museum, sanctuary, temples, backwaters, and beaches. Munnar, Kovalam, Kumarakom, and Alappad.

India is a great country having different cultures, castes, creed, religions but still, they live together. India is known for its heritage, spices, and of course, for people who live here. That’s the reasons India is famous for the common saying of “unity in diversity”. India is also well known as the land of spirituality , philosophy, science, and technology.

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