the development of india essay

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.

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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.

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Essay on India

Here we have shared the Essay on India in detail so you can use it in your exam or assignment of 150, 250, 400, 500, or 1000 words.

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Essay on India in 150 words

Essay on india in 200-300 words, essay on india in 500-1000 words.

India, a diverse and culturally rich country located in South Asia, is renowned for its vibrant festivals, ancient heritage sites, and diverse landscapes. With a population of over 1.3 billion people, India is a melting pot of religions, languages, and ethnicities. It is a secular nation that upholds democracy and freedom. India has made significant contributions to art, literature, science, and philosophy. Despite challenges, it has achieved progress in various fields, including technology and economic growth. As the world’s largest democracy, India’s cultural richness, traditions, and hospitality attract tourists from around the world. With a young and dynamic workforce, India is emerging as a global player in innovation and entrepreneurship. India’s resilience, cultural heritage, and growing influence continue to captivate the world, making it an important player on the global stage.

India, known as the land of diversity, is a country of rich culture, history, and traditions. It is located in South Asia and is the seventh-largest country by land area. India is renowned for its vibrant festivals, ancient heritage sites, and diverse landscapes, ranging from the majestic Himalayas to the serene backwaters of Kerala.

With a population of over 1.3 billion people, India is a melting pot of different religions, languages, and ethnicities. It is a secular country that upholds the principles of democracy and freedom. India has made significant contributions to art, literature, science, and philosophy throughout history.

Despite its challenges, India has achieved notable progress in various fields, including technology, space exploration, and economic growth. It is the world’s largest democracy and has a parliamentary system of government. India’s cultural richness, traditions, and hospitality attract millions of tourists from around the world each year.

In recent years, India has emerged as a global player, contributing to the world economy, science, and technology. It is home to a young and dynamic workforce that is driving innovation and entrepreneurship.

In conclusion, India is a country that embraces diversity, celebrates its rich cultural heritage, and strives for progress. With its vast landscapes, ancient history, and vibrant culture, India continues to captivate the world. The resilience and spirit of its people, coupled with its growing influence, make India a significant player on the global stage.

Title: India – A Tapestry of Diversity, Heritage, and Progress

Introduction :

India, a nation located in South Asia, is a land of rich cultural heritage, diverse traditions, and breathtaking landscapes. With a population of over 1.3 billion people, India is known for its vibrant festivals, ancient history, and varied cuisines. This essay explores the multifaceted aspects of India, including its rich cultural tapestry, historical significance, economic growth, and contributions to the world. From the majestic Himalayas in the north to the serene backwaters of Kerala in the south, India’s beauty and diversity captivate the hearts of millions. Let us embark on a journey through the vibrant and enchanting land of India.

Cultural Heritage

India’s cultural heritage is as vast and diverse as its geographical expanse. It is a melting pot of religions, languages, and customs. The country is home to numerous religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Each religion has its own unique rituals, traditions, and festivals, contributing to the colorful tapestry of Indian culture. Festivals like Diwali, Eid, Holi, Christmas, and Durga Puja are celebrated with great enthusiasm and are a reflection of India’s religious diversity.

Historical Significance

India boasts a rich history that spans thousands of years. It has been the birthplace of several ancient civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization and the Maurya and Gupta Empires. The country has been the center of learning and trade for centuries, attracting scholars, explorers, and traders from around the world. The Mughal Empire, known for its architectural marvels like the Taj Mahal, left a lasting legacy on India’s history. The British colonial rule in India and the subsequent struggle for independence led by Mahatma Gandhi shaped the modern history of the nation.

Economic Growth

India has experienced significant economic growth in recent years. It is one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and has become a prominent player on the global stage. The country has embraced economic liberalization, attracting foreign investments and fostering entrepreneurship. India’s information technology industry, pharmaceutical sector, and service industries have flourished, contributing to its economic prosperity. However, challenges such as poverty, income inequality, and unemployment persist, highlighting the need for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Contributions to the World

India has made remarkable contributions to various fields, including science, literature, arts, and spirituality. Ancient Indian scholars made significant advancements in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. Indian literature, such as the Vedas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, continues to inspire and influence people worldwide. Indian art forms like classical music, dance, and cinema have gained international recognition for their richness and beauty. Spiritual traditions like yoga and meditation have transcended borders, offering tools for holistic well-being.

Unity in Diversity

India’s strength lies in its unity amidst diversity. Despite its linguistic, religious, and cultural differences, the people of India have come together as a nation. The Constitution of India, adopted in 1950, upholds the principles of democracy, secularism, and unity. The diverse fabric of Indian society is reflected in its official languages, Hindi and English, and the recognition of regional languages. India’s unity in diversity is celebrated through cultural exchange, interfaith dialogue, and the promotion of national integration.

Future Challenges and Opportunities

India faces a range of challenges, including poverty, environmental degradation, healthcare disparities, and social inequality. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts in education, healthcare, sustainable development, and social welfare. However, India also presents immense opportunities for progress. With a young and dynamic workforce, a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, and a growing middle class, India has the potential to achieve inclusive growth, technological advancements, and social transformation.

Conclusion :

India, with its diverse cultures, historical significance, economic growth, and contributions to the world, stands as a shining example of unity in diversity. The nation’s cultural heritage, ancient history, and rapid development reflect its resilience and potential. As India continues its journey toward progress and prosperity, it must embrace sustainable development, address societal challenges, and build an inclusive and equitable society. India’s beauty, traditions, and people leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those who explore its captivating tapestry.

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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India’s achievements after 75 years of Independence

India's achievements after 75 years of Independence: Article talks about the progress India has made in the last 75 years in the field of economic growth, scientific innovations and in other fields.

Table of Contents

As India celebrates 75 years of independence, it provides a moment to reflect on the nation’s progress and its evolving landscape. This article highlights significant achievements, historical milestones, and ongoing challenges in various sectors, offering a comprehensive overview for UPSC examination preparation.

India’s journey since gaining independence on August 15, 1947, has been marked by significant milestones and achievements across various domains. Here’s a brief overview of the nation’s progress and accomplishments after 75 years of independence:


₹2.7 lakh crore (3% of global GDP)	₹180 lakh crore (8.5% of global GDP)	Significant economic growth
0.399 million km	5.2 million km	One of the largest in the world
24,000 km	1,70,000 km	Major expansion
1,362 MW	4,25,000 MW	Major increase in capacity
3,061 villages	19,227 villages	Comprehensive coverage
12%	75%	Improvement in education
32 years	71 years	Significant increase
0.7 per 1000	0.8 per 1000 (compared to WHO’s 2.5)	Needs improvement
471	85,000	Explosive growth

75 Years of Independence: The Evolving Landscape of India

As India celebrates 75 years of independence, the nation reflects on its remarkable journey from a post-colonial state to a global powerhouse. This article explores the key milestones and achievements across various sectors, highlighting how India has evolved over the decades.

1. Economic Growth and Development

Early Economic Strategies:

1951: The First Five-Year Plan was introduced, focusing on agricultural growth and addressing the immediate post-independence challenges.
1991: The economic liberalization era began with significant reforms including privatization and globalization, which transformed India into one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

Recent Developments:

GDP: As of 2024, India is the fifth-largest economy globally, with a GDP of approximately ₹180 lakh crore (8.5% of global GDP). This reflects robust economic growth and a significant position in the global economic landscape.
Startup Ecosystem: India is home to one of the largest startup ecosystems, with approximately 85,000 startups as of mid-2024, demonstrating a thriving entrepreneurial environment.

2. Scientific and Technological Advancements

Milestones in Space Exploration:

1963: The launch of India’s first sounding rocket marked the beginning of the Indian Space Program, setting the stage for future advancements.
2023: The Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully landed on the Moon’s south pole, a historic achievement in space exploration.

Technological Innovations:

UPI: The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become a significant player in digital transactions, with 11.55 billion transactions worth ₹11.7 trillion in Q1 2024.

3. Infrastructure Development

Historical Growth:

1951-2023: India’s road network has expanded from 0.399 million km to 5.2 million km, making it one of the largest in the world. The national highway network grew from 24,000 km in 1969 to 1,70,000 km by 2023.
Power Generation: The capacity increased from 1,362 MW in 1947 to 4,25,000 MW in 2024, supporting widespread industrial and residential needs.

Recent Updates:

Rural Electrification: As of early 2024, all 19,227 villages have been electrified, ensuring access to electricity across the nation.

4. Human Development

Education and Health:

Literacy Rate: Improved from 12% in 1947 to 75% in 2024, reflecting significant strides in educational development.
Life Expectancy: Increased from 32 years in 1947 to 71 years in 2024, highlighting improvements in healthcare and quality of life.

Healthcare Challenges:

Doctor-to-Patient Ratio: India has a ratio of 0.8 doctors per 1,000 people compared to the WHO’s average of 2.5, indicating areas for improvement in healthcare access.

5. Social and Political Milestones

Key Events and Achievements:

1950: The Indian Constitution came into effect, establishing India as a Republic and laying the groundwork for democratic governance.
1966: Indira Gandhi became India’s first female Prime Minister, marking a significant political milestone.
2022: Draupadi Murmu was elected as the fifteenth President of India, becoming the first tribal leader to hold the office.

Significant Policies and Reforms:

2010: The Right to Education Act (RTE) was enacted, making education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14.
2017: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced, simplifying the tax system and integrating the economy.

6. Cultural and Sporting Achievements

Historical Moments:

1983: India won its first Cricket World Cup, a landmark achievement in the country’s sporting history.
2024: India continued to celebrate its cultural diversity and heritage, contributing to global cultural exchanges and understanding.

As India celebrates 75 years of independence, it stands as a testament to the resilience, innovation, and progress of its people. From significant economic and technological achievements to strides in human development and infrastructure, India has made remarkable progress. Looking ahead, India aims to build on these successes, addressing ongoing challenges and paving the way for a brighter future for its citizens.

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India's achievements after 75 years of Independence FAQs

What did india achieved after 75 years of independence.

In 1974, India conducted “Smiling Buddha”, its first nuclear test, making its place on the list of five nuclear-powered nations. This is one of the biggest achievements of India since 1947. Today, India has the 2nd largest military force and largest voluntary army in the world.

What we achieved in 75 years?

In the last seven-and-a-half decades, India achieved remarkable development in agriculture, heavy industry, irrigation, energy production, nuclear power capability, space technology, biotechnology, telecommunication, oceanography and science education and research.

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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.

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Essay on india after independence.

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Essay on India after Independence!

India is the world’s largest democracy. It is the only country in Asia that has remained democratic ever since it attained its independence from British rule. The only exception to this is the brief period of the Emergency in 1975-76, when the democratic process was halted.

But it is through the democratic route of elections that the ruling caucus was dethroned and an alternative government installed. But that did not last long and the Congress party returned to power by winning back the confidence of the people.

Many in the world were apprehensive of the success of democracy in India. Their belief was further strengthened when several countries in the region, including Pakistan, failed as democracies and chose an authoritarian and militarist path in its stead. But this did not happen in India, and we have crossed more than half a century as a democracy. India has falsified all the prophecies of doom. It is the ballot, and not the bullet, that reigns supreme in India.

India after Independence :

After a long and difficult freedom struggle, India attained her independence from British rule in 1947. But this independence came with the partition of the country. A new state of Pakistan was created with portions of Western and Eastern India, taken away from the Indian map.

West Pakistan took away Western Punjab, Sindh, and Baluchistan; East Pakistan was created with the partition of Bengal into East and West, the latter remaining with India. Thus, there was a long corridor of India that separated East Pakistan from West Pakistan. That such a formation of the new state was non-pragmatic and unworkable was proven by later events.

In 1971, East Pakistan broke its ties with the Western wing and became the separate country of Bangladesh. The subcontinent, which was once a single country, was divided into three nations. Meanwhile, the state of Sikkim, which was a separate kingdom ruled by the Chogyal monarchy, joined the Indian Union in 1975.

Independence arrived in India not only with ‘multiplicity of heritages and legacies’, but also with the pangs of partition that caused dislocation of populations on both sides. Several Muslim families from regions other than those that went to Pakistan decided to opt for the nationality of the new religious state and to migrate there, and numerous Hindu families from both East and West Pakistan got uprooted and came to India as homeless refugees.

This movement of people was not peaceful. There was a lot of bloodshed, looting, rape of women, and merciless killing of innocent people. After the creation of Bangladesh, several Muslim families, which migrated from Bihar and other adjoining states to the Eastern wing of Pakistan, suffered from similar discrimination and marginalization. India has become a shelter for several Bangladeshis who have crossed the porous border illegally and settled in several cities of India.

Their arrival in Assam, for example, caused serious problems and prompted the natives to raise the demand for repatriation of the non-Assamese. Speakers of Bengali and followers of Islam cannot be easily classified foreigners in the pluricultural society of India. Vote-bank politics has also helped in blurring their identities.

India inherited the legacy of British rule – a system of administration, an army, and a democratic form of government, based on the Government of India Act of 1935. Most important was the fact that our country retained the name India that is Bharat. We remain the mainland, while the other states are historically the breakaway groups.

The transition from a colonial country to an independent nation was not easy. Partition entailed division of resources, transfer of government personnel from one country to another, and reorientation of the bureaucracy.

As Paul R. Brass says:

“In some ways, it is possible to view Independence and the adoption in the early years after Independence of a new Constitution as another stage in the evolution of India toward representative government in a process that dates back to the Indian Councils Act of 1861 and continues through the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909, the Montagu- Chelmsford Reforms of 1919, and the Government of India Act of 1935”.But the new Constitution, which was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, and came into force on 26 January 1950, has some new features, providing a sharp break with the British colonial past.

It adopted the Westminster model of parliamentary government as against the mixed parliamentary-bureaucratic authoritarian system inherited from British India. The new Constitution included a chapter on Fundamental Rights, and also on Directive Principles, which were not there in the 1935 Act. The introduction of adult suffrage was also a new feature. The Indian polity became a mix of the unitary and federal forms of government.

The new leadership was equally interested in bringing about socio-economic reforms for which the model of a ‘socialistic pattern of society” was adopted. The contradiction thus introduced between civil liberties and governmental control has been a subject of political protests.

In addition to fundamental rights, the Constitution made special provisions for the oppressed castes and tribes by listing them in a Schedule and thus designating them as scheduled castes (SCs) and scheduled tribes (STs). The British divided Indian society along religious lines by creating separate electorates, as part of their policy of ‘divide and rule’. But the new leadership of independent India discarded this colonial practice.

However, there was unanimity on giving special protection and privileges to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, who had allegedly suffered from discrimination at the hands of the upper caste Hindus, and who constitute the majority of India’s poor.

Designating the new state as secular was meant to convey the message that the country would not differentiate between people on the basis of religion, but allow each individual, as part of his/her fundamental right, to practice the religion of his/her choice.

This was to ensure that communalism would be contained. However, the history of the country since independence has been witness to several communal riots and the growth of political parties along religious lines.

Even the so-called secular parties contributed – perhaps unintentionally – to the prevailing communal hiatus. In their enthusiasm to protect the minority groups, the secular parties became in fact promoters of communal interests in the hope of creating vote-banks. It led to a reaction amongst the majority group of Hindus.

The role of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in promoting solidarity amongst the Hindus is seen in this political context. These non-political organizations lent their support to the Bharatiya Jan Sangh in the early days of independence, and later to its successor, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Indian polity in reality, and not as seen in constitutional terms, is characterized by a mix of tradition and modernity. The formal structure adopted in the Constitution has continually been modified by the social structure of Indian society, and by the personality profiles of India’s political leadership.

It is not the ideology, but the personality factors, that have led to the formation and dissolution of parties. Review of party manifestos issued during elections and the Common Minimum Programmes (CMPs) adopted by successive coalition governments suggests that there was little ideological distance between parties. Political distance is maintained despite ideological proximity.

The actually existing political structure has departed from the ideal as perceived by the founding fathers of our Constitution. Several amendments made to the Constitution tell that story, but only partially.

There is nothing unusual in this. All living societies continually change in response to the emerging new demands and by the behavior of its members in their different statuses and role relationships.

In the earlier phases, there were pressures from the rulers of princely states and owners of feudal estates seeking redefined roles as leaders in a functioning democracy. They entered politics by joining either the ruling Congress Party or the newly created Bharatiya Jan Sangh and the Swatantra Party (now defunct).

But as long as the nationalist leaders who took part in India’s freedom struggle were there to run the government, there was no threat to the Congress Party. The opposition remained in the minority, but was quite vocal in its criticism in Parliament and the state legislatures.

The vote politics that requires numbers led the ruling party and the dissident groups within it, as well as the parties in the opposition, to create vote-banks by invoking caste sentiments. Caste entered politics in the sense that there was, and is, politicization of caste. In this framework, even the minorities were seen as a ‘caste’ – the defining characteristic of endogamy applies to them as well.

If some political parties tried to woo the voters from a particular caste – Lodhis or Rajputs, or Brahmins others tried to woo the minority groups. One also notices a strange pattern of bringing together Muslims and the Hindu community of Yadavs, and other so-called Dalits.

While this grouping is based on sectarian considerations, it is called secular. But a coalition of castes from the Hindu and Jain and Sikh groups is decried as anti-secular. In retort, the latter call the former ‘pseudo-secular’.

In this process, words like secular and secularism have lost their originally intended meaning. All parties realize that no community or group can be neglected if one were to muster political support.

The secular parties cannot afford to neglect the Hindu vote, and the parties that are called anti-secular also have representatives of communities other than the Hindu. All parties, barring religion based organizations, claim to be secular.

Indian politics is characterized by an absence of ideology. Only lip service is paid to ideology. Parties are dominated by personalities. Leaders don’t leave and join parties on ideological grounds. Even the group of Marxists is divided into several parties. To quote Brass, “Indian politics has been characterized by an all-pervasive instrumentalism which washes away party manifestoes, rhetoric, and effective implementation of policies in an unending competition for power, status, and profit.”

The Congress party started as a movement that was joined by people from all sections; its sole aim was to oust the British and establish Swaraj. After the attainment of that aim, Mahatma Gandhi proposed dissolution of the Congress, but it was shot down.

The euphoria of independence was so overwhelming, and the leaders of the movement so respected by the common man, that the Congress party appeared to be the natural heir to the throne. Leaders defecting from the Congress party formed most other parties later.

Students of democracy know that its proper functioning requires an opposition. In the United States, for example, there are two parties – Democratic and Republican – between whom power alternates. But in India, continuance of the Congress rule with no threat of its replacement gave rise to, what came to be known as one-party dominant system.

People found this system similar to that of the Soviet state. This system fulfilled the requirement of the democratic process by creating internal dissensions within the Congress party itself.

These were referred to as the ‘ruling group’ and the ‘dissident group’, and power, particularly at the level of the states, alternated between these groups, but remained with the Congress. But India’s political situation is changing. This change is taking place on several frontiers. Let us briefly mention the major changes in Indian polity that have occurred since 1947.

Essay on Political Modernization in India
Political Parties: Three Main Types of Political Parties in India

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Development Of India - Free Essay Examples and Topic Ideas

The development of India can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as the Indus Valley civilization and the Mauryan empire. Following colonization by the British, India gained independence in 1947 and began a period of growth and development. The country has made significant progress in areas such as infrastructure, technology, education, and healthcare over the past few decades. However, India still faces numerous challenges such as poverty, inequality, and corruption. The government’s recent initiatives like Make in India, Digital India, Swacch Bharat Abhiyan have been aiming at addressing these challenges and accelerating the pace of India’s progress towards becoming a developed country.

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Constitutional Development Of India

Constitutional Development of India

Constitutional Development of India is a detailed analysis of how the Constitution of India has evolved from the past to the current. This article helps one to briefly understand the Development of Indian Constitution starting from Regulating Act of 1773 till the time when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950.

Aspirants would find this article very helpful while preparing for the IAS Exam .

Constitutional Development of India – UPSC Notes:- Download PDF Here

The origin and growth of the Indian Constitution have its roots in Indian history during the British period. From 1773 onwards, various Acts were passed by the British Government for the governance of India. None of them, however, satisfied Indian aspirations mainly because they were imposed by the alien rulers.

The period of historical British Constitutional experiments in India can be divided into two phases:

Phase 1- Constitutional experiment during the rule of the East India Company (1773-1857)
Phase 2 – Constitutional experiments under the British Crown (1857-1947)

Constitutional Development – East India Company Rule (1773 – 1857)

From 1757 to 1857, 5 major laws were created to regulate the functioning of British East India Company and to help them rule over India. The details of these 5 Acts are mentioned below.

Regulating Act of 1773

The process of Centralization in India was initiated through the Regulating Act of 1773.

This is the first Act passed by the British Parliament to control and regulate the affairs of the East India Company in India.
As per this Act, the Governor of Bengal was made the Governor-General.
Warren Hastings was the first Governor-General of India.
This Act made Governors of Bombay and Madras subordinate to the Governor of Bengal.
The Governor-General was given the power to make rules and regulations.
The Governor-General was assisted by a Council of 4 members.
The number of Directors in the Company was fixed at 4.
The Governor-General had to follow the orders of the Directors of the Company.
Revenue of the company should be reported by The Court of Directors, who were the governing body of the company
A Supreme Court was established at Calcutta in 1774, as per the provisions of Regulating Act 1773.
The Supreme Court had a Chief Justice and 3 Assistant Judges.

Pitts India Act of 1784

In the Constitutional history of India, this Act brought in many significant changes.

As per this Act of 1784, the territories of East India Company was called as the “British Possessions in India”
As per this Act, a joint Government of British India run by the Crown and Company was established. The government had the ultimate power and authority.
A Court of Directors was formed for Commercial Operations and 6 member Board of Control were appointed for Political affairs as per provisions of Pitts India Act 1784.
Governor General’s Council was reduced from 4 members to 3 members.
Governors Councils were established in Bombay and Madras.

Charter Act of 1813

It brought an end to the monopoly of East India Company, over trade with India.
Trade with India was opened for all British Citizens with the exception of Tea Trade.

Learn more about the Charter Act of 1813 in the given link.

Charter Act of 1833

Governor-General of Bengal became the Governor-General of India.
Lord William Bentick was the 1st Governor-General of India.
East India Company ended as a mere administrative body, it was no longer a commercial body.
The Governor-General was given full control over revenue, civil and military.
Charter Act of 1833 was the final step in the Process of Centralization in India, a process that began with the Regulating Act of 1773.

Charter Act of 1853

Civil Service Examination was introduced. It was a competitive examination for recruitment into the civil services.
Executive and Legislative functions of the Governor-General were separated.
This Act provided for the addition of 6 new members to the Legislative Council, 4 members were appointed by Provisional Governments of Bengal, Bombay, Madras and Agra.
As per provisions of Charter Act of 1853 Governor General’s Legislative Council came to be known as the Central Legislative Council.
The Central Legislative Council started functioning as a Mini-Parliament. It adopted the same procedures of the British Parliament.

Constitutional Development – Rule under the British Crown (1857-1947)

This begins the 2nd phase of the Constitutional development under the British Crown.

Government of India Act of 1858

Government of India Act of 1858 passed by British Parliament, brought an end to the rule of East India Company. The powers were transferred to the British Crown.
The Secretary of State for India was given the powers and duties of the former Court of Directors. He Controlled the Indian Administration through the Viceroy of India.
The Secretary of State for India was assisted by the Council of India. This Council had 15 members. The Council was an advisory body.
Governor-General of India was made the Viceroy of India.
Lord Canning was the 1st Viceroy of India.

Indian Council Act of 1861

Indians were nominated as non-official members for the 1st time in the Legislative Council of Viceroy.
Legislative Councils were established in Provinces and Centre.
Legislative powers of the Provinces of Bombay and Madras were restored.
Legislative Councils were started in the Provinces of Punjab, North-Western Frontier Province (NWFP), Bengal.

For more information on the Indian Council Act of 1861 , visit the given link.

Indian Council Act of 1892

The size of the Legislative Council was increased.
The Legislative Council was given more power, they had the power to deliberate on the Budget and could pose questions to the Executive.
Indirect elections were introduced for the 1st time.
The Principal of Representation was introduced as per provisions given in the Indian Council Act of 1892.

Indian Councils Act, 1909 – Morley Minto Reforms

Indian Councils Act of 1909 is commonly known as Morley Minto Reforms.
For the 1st time, Direct elections were introduced for the Legislative Councils.
The Central Legislative Council was renamed as the Imperial Legislative Council.
The Communal representation system was introduced by giving separate electorate. It was a system where seats were reserved only for Muslims and only Muslims would be polled.
For the first time, Indians were appointed to the Executive Council of Viceroy. Satyendra Sinha was the law member.

Aspirants can learn more about Morley Minto Reforms in the given link.

Government of India Act, 1919 – Montagu Chelmsford Reforms

Government of India Act, 1919 was also known as the Montagu Chelmsford reforms.
Bicameralism was introduced for the 1st time.
Provincial and Central Subjects were separated.
Dyarchy, a scheme of Dual Governance was introduced in the Provincial Subjects, it was divided into Reserved and Transferred. The transferred list included agriculture, health, education, and supervision of the local government. The Transferred list was given to the Government of Ministers answerable to Provincial Council. The reserved list included communications, foreign affairs, defence; this transferred list was under the control of Viceroy.
Out of 6 members in Viceroy’s Executive Council, 3 of them were Indians.
The Act provided provisions for the establishment of the Public Service Commission in India for the first time.
Communal Representation extended to Christians, Anglo-Indians, Sikhs.
The franchise was given to a limited population which was based on people who had taxable income, had property and paid land revenue of Rs 3000.
Montagu Chelmsford Reforms made provision for setting up a statutory commission at the end of 10 years to look into the working of the Government.

Government of India Act 1935

This was the longest and last constitutional measure introduced by British India. It was the result of multiple round table conferences and a report by the Simon Commission.

Bicameralism was introduced in 6 Provinces (Bengal, Bombay, Madras, Assam, Bihar, United Provinces) out of 11 provinces.
The Legislature in the provinces were enlarged.
As per the Act, the powers were divided into Federal List, Provincial List and Concurrent List.
Provincial autonomy was introduced in the Provinces by abolishing the Dyarchy.
There was provision for the adoption of Dyarchy at the Centre.
Provided provisions for establishing Federal Court, Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
There was provision for the establishment of All India Federation consisting of Provinces and the Princely States as units.
Due to the length of Government of India Act 1935 , it was divided into 2 separate Acts.

Cripps Mission – 1942

In 1942 Cripps Mission was sent to India under the leadership of Sir Stafford Cripps. Some of the proposals given by the Cripps Mission are given below.

Dominion status would be given to India, after the 2nd World War.
Once the Second World War ends, an elected body would be set up in India for framing of Indian Constitution.
The even the Indian States would participate in the Constitution-making body.
Almost all the Parties and sections in India rejected the proposals given by the Cripps Mission.

Cabinet Mission – 1946

Some of the main proposals of the Cabinet Mission plan was

The Indian States and British Provinces would combine to form Union of India
A Constituent Assembly would be established consisting of 389 members.
14 members from Major political parties would form an interim government
A representative body would be formed named as the Constituent Assembly.
Until the Constitution was framed, the Constituent Assembly would act as the Dominion Legislature.
Until the Constitution was framed, India would be administered as per the Government of India Act, 1935.

Candidates can learn more about Cabinet Mission 1946 in the given link.

Mountbatten Plan – Indian Independence Act – 1947

British India was partitioned into India and Pakistan with effect from 15th August 1947.
Conferred complete legislative authority to the Constituent Assembly.
Established Governments in both Provinces and States.

For more information on Mountbatten Plan – Indian Independence Act 1947 , visit the given link.

Key Timelines – Constitution of Independent India

The Constitution of India was drawn up by the Constituent Assembly. Constituent Assembly took almost 3 years to complete the task of drafting the Constitution for Independent India.
Constituent Assembly met for the first time on Dec. 9, 1946.
On 14th August 1947; there was a proposal for the creation of committees.
The Drafting Committee was established on 29th August 1947 and the Constituent Assembly starts the process of writing the Constitution
Dr Rajendra Prasad as the President prepared the Draft of the new constitution of Independent India in February 1948.
The Constitution was adopted on Nov. 26, 1949
The Constitution came into effect on Jan. 26,1950, making India a Republic.
On that day, the Assembly ceased to exist, transforming itself into the Provisional Parliament of India until a new Parliament was constituted in 1952.
It is the longest written constitution in the world containing 395 Articles and 12 Schedules.

Aspirants can get an overview of the Constitution of India in the given link.

The above details would help candidates prepare for UPSC 2024 .

Frequently Asked Questions on Constitutional Development in India

Q 1. when was the constitution of india developed, q 2. what is meant by the development of the constitution.

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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

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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?


	US$ 30 billion	US$ 3 trillion
	INR 12, 493	INR 86,659
	INR 171 Crore	INR 20,79,000 Crore
	INR 911 Crore	INR 45,42,615 Crore
	51 millon tonnes	316.06 million tonnes
	18.3%	78%

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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Development in India After Independence

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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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.

households have seen their lives improve as a result of soil and water conservation in 7 drought-prone districts of Karnataka

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

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Addressing Urbanization Challenges for a Sustainable Future

06 Sep 2024
24 min read
GS Paper - 1
Urbanization
Population and Associated Issues
Poverty and Developmental Issues

This editorial is based on “ Making transit-oriented urban development work” which was published in Hindustan Times on 03/09/2024. This article highlights that the Transit-oriented development (TOD) is frequently discussed in Union budgets but struggles with implementation. Despite its promise of improving accessibility and reducing carbon emissions by concentrating urban development around transit hubs, TOD faces several challenges.

For Prelims: Urbanization , United Nations, 2011 Census, United Nations, Global Liveability Index , Slums And Unauthorized Colonies , Flood Management, Urban Planning, World Air Quality Report 2023 , Managing Solid Waste , Budget 2024-25 , AMRUT, Housing For All, Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) , Municipal Bonds.

For Mains : Significance of Planned Urbanisation for Sustainable Development.

Urbanization is a dynamic and complex process involving the transition of populations from rural to urban areas , profoundly transforming land use, economic activities, and social structures.

This phenomenon, recognized by the United Nations as one of the key demographic trends alongside population growth, aging, and migration, entails more than just a shift in numbers. It includes the expansion of city boundaries, economic diversification, cultural changes, and the evolution of governance systems.

The 2011 Census recorded India's urbanization rate at 31.2% , an increase from 27.8% in 2001. By 2030, it is projected that approximately 590 million people will reside in urban areas. With rapid urbanization underway, it is crucial to analyze the growth trends and their impact on the population.

Urbanization manifests in various forms, including planned settlements designed by government agencies to foster sustainable development and unplanned settlements that emerge spontaneously, often resulting in informal and sometimes precarious living conditions. In India, urbanization is accelerating, with significant impacts on city infrastructure, economic output, and social dynamics.

Despite the promise of urban growth projected to drive a substantial portion of GDP and job creation by 2030, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, transit issues, safety problems, environmental degradation, and socio-economic inequalities persist . Understanding urbanization’s multifaceted nature and addressing these challenges is crucial for fostering resilient and sustainable urban environments.

What is Urbanisation?

It encompasses demographic transformation, spatial expansion of cities, economic diversification, cultural shifts, and evolving governance systems, resulting in increased urban population density and the development of built environments.
The United Nations identifies urbanisation as one of four major demographic trends, alongside population growth, aging, and international migration.
With the aim to create sustainable and livable environments, such plans take into account various factors, including physical, social, and economic considerations, to ensure organized development.
These areas typically feature a mix of permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary structures and are commonly located near city drains, railway tracks, flood-prone areas, or on agricultural land and green belts.
This ranking reflects that Indian cities have low scores in five key parameters: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
The focus has shifted from large Tier 1 cities to medium-sized towns, driven by factors like employment, education, and security.
According to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), by 2030, urban areas are projected to contribute approximately 70% to the GDP, 85% of total tax revenue, and 70% of new jobs.
Trade and Industry: The growth of trade and industry attracts labor, fosters infrastructure development, and creates access to markets and innovation hubs.
Economic Opportunities: Cities offer a greater number of job opportunities compared to rural areas, hosting businesses, factories, and other institutions.
Education: Urban areas generally provide superior educational facilities, including schools and universities, which draw people seeking to enhance their education and career prospects.
Better Lifestyle: Cities offer improved services such as hospitals and libraries and provide a vibrant lifestyle with abundant social and cultural opportunities.
Migrants often move to unplanned areas due to the high cost of living in more established urban regions, resulting in numerous informal settlements, such as slums and unauthorized colonies, that lack essential amenities like clean water and sanitation.

What are the Challenges Related to Urban Development?

For instance, flooding events in Delhi (2024 & 2023), Nagpur (September 2023), Bengaluru and Ahmedabad (2022), Chennai (November 2021), and Hyderabad (2020 and 2021), revealed severe infrastructure shortcomings and highlighted the urgent need for better flood management and urban planning.
This trend, evident in Gurugram’s expansion, often leads to socioeconomic divides, environmental strain, and challenges in maintaining balanced urban growth and sustainability.
Coordination issues between transit and city planning agencies result in inefficiencies, while rigid planning practices and cultural resistance hinder TOD.
For example, there is a lack of coordination between transit agencies (like the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) and city planning authorities (like the Delhi Development Authority). This results in disputes over revenue-sharing and inefficient TOD implementation.
Traffic Congestion and Mobility Challenges : Rapid urbanisation, lack of transit options and an increase in private vehicles have caused severe traffic congestion, extending commute times and reducing productivity.
For instance, the World Air Quality Report 2023 reveals that nine of the ten most polluted cities globally are in India and with Delhi emerging as the world's most polluted capital city for the fourth consecutive time.
For example, Delhi experienced an extreme heatwave in May 2024, pushing the city's power demand to over 8,000 megawatts.
For instance, Delhi water crisis in 2024 and Chennai's water crisis in 2019, forced residents to rely on water tankers and desalination plants, and Bengaluru's recent water issues, underscore the severity of the problem.
This situation strains infrastructure, exacerbates poverty, and hampers planned development, affecting overall livability and social cohesion.
The Central Pollution Control Board reports that Indian cities generate approximately 62 million tons of municipal solid waste annually, with only about 20% being processed or treated adequately.

How TOD Promotes Sustainable Urban Development?

By prioritizing public transit and walkable designs, TOD reduces the reliance on private vehicles, thereby easing traffic flow and shortening commutes. This shift not only enhances mobility but also minimizes the environmental impact associated with vehicular emissions.
This approach promotes the efficient use of land, reduces environmental degradation, and fosters vibrant, sustainable communities.
By creating neighborhoods where residential, commercial, and recreational spaces are in close proximity, TOD counters the spread of low-density, car-dependent developments.
This design supports a high quality of life, allowing residents to easily access workplaces, amenities, and recreational areas . The focus on walkability and mixed-use development contributes to a more engaging and healthier urban environment.
Economically, TOD boosts local businesses, reduces transportation costs, and attracts investment, enhancing overall economic competitiveness. T his integrated approach to urban planning supports long-term sustainable development goals.

Examples of Successful TOD Implementation

Around 15 cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Chennai etc have operational metro systems, with many more under construction or planned in other urban centers.
For example,in 2005, a government task force developed the Integrated Transport Plan for NCR 2032, identifying a need for a RRTS to connect major cities in the Delhi NCR. It prioritized three corridors : Delhi-Meerut, Delhi-Panipat, and Delhi-Alwar.
Mumbai: Lower Parel i n Mumbai has evolved into a TOD hub with high-rise residential and commercial buildings around local train stations, reflecting increased integration of transit and urban spaces.
Noida's cycle zones: It features dedicated tracks, cycle-sharing programs, and integrated urban design to promote sustainable transport. By separating bike lanes from traffic, offering rental options, and enhancing safety with signage, these initiatives aim to reduce pollution, improve public health, and support a greener, more pedestrian-friendly city.
For example: London, UK – Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) aims to reduce air pollution by restricting access to high-emission vehicles. The zone promotes the use of electric and hybrid vehicles and integrates well with public transit, supporting TOD by enhancing the environmental quality and encouraging sustainable transportation.
Authorities buy land development rights before rail construction, sell them post-construction at higher prices, and use the revenue to finance transit operations.
This model generates substantial income from property, reduces urban sprawl and pollution, and enhances ridership through increased density.

What are the Steps Taken for Urban Development?

Also, central assistance of Rs 2.2 lakh cror e for urban housing over the next five years as well as an interest subsidy scheme to facilitate loans at affordable rates for urban housing works, was announced in the budget.
It focuses on areas like water supply, sanitation, waste management, urban mobility, and e-governance.
It aims to improve the quality of life in these cities through better amenities and infrastructure.
The program includes credit-linked subsidies and partnerships with private developers to increase affordable housing stock.
It includes constructing individual and community toilets, and implementing modern waste management practices.
It includes projects like public Wi-Fi hotspots, digital delivery of government services , and encouraging cashless transactions to create 'smart' urban ecosystems.
Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2022-23 (Rs. 6000 Cr): It focuses on urban planning reforms including Modernization of Building Bylaws, Adoption of Transferable Development Rights (TDR), Implementation of Local Area Plans (LAP) and Town Planning Schemes (TPS), Implementation of Transit-oriented Development (TOD), Creation of Sponge Cities, Removing Taxation for running the Buses for Public Transport.
Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24 (Rs. 15000 Cr): It emphasizes enhancing urban planning through human resource augmentation, town planning schemes, modernization of building bylaws, in-situ slum rehabilitation, TOD, and strengthening urban ecosystems.
Articles 243Q and 243W: Grant powers to local governments (municipalities) for urban planning and development within their regions.
74 th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992: Granted constitutional status to urban local bodies and introduced Part IX-A to the Constitution.
12 th Schedule : Outlines the powers, authority, and responsibilities of municipalities.

What Other Measures can be Taken for Sustainable & Resilient Urban Development?

This approach not only provides immediate financial resources but also supports long-term urban modernization and resilience.
To maximize their impact, cities should enhance investor confidence through transparent processes and effective project management, ensuring that funds are used efficiently and lead to tangible benefits for residents.
This means engaging diverse stakeholders and ensuring that development benefits all segments of society, fostering equitable growth and addressing disparities.
For instance, Indore’s innovative waste management system utilizes smart bins and automated segregation to enhance efficiency.
Similarly, integrating renewable energy technologies, such as solar power and wind turbines, can reduce cities' carbon footprints and enhance sustainability.
This approach ensures that decisions are informed by accurate data, leading to more effective and efficient urban planning outcomes.
This involvement helps align urban policies with community needs and priorities , enhancing the quality and responsiveness of urban services.
Effective urban development requires a unified approach across agencies to address challenges and leverage resources efficiently.
These initiatives aim to improve environmental resilience and sustainability within urban landscapes.
Invest in robust cybersecurity measures to protect critical digital infrastructure from emerging threats.
This will ensure that urbanization efforts are inclusive and address the diverse needs of urban populations.

Urbanization represents a critical juncture in global and national development, offering both opportunities and challenges. As cities grow and evolve, embracing comprehensive planning and reform is essential to ensure that urbanization contributes positively to economic prosperity and quality of life.

In India, initiatives like the Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT aim to address infrastructure deficits and enhance urban livability. However, effective implementation of transit-oriented development, better coordination among agencies, and modernization of planning practices are necessary to overcome obstacles. By focusing on sustainable growth, enhancing infrastructure, and improving governance, cities can harness the benefits of urbanization while mitigating its challenges, paving the way for a more inclusive and resilient urban future.

Discuss the key challenges in achieving sustainable urban development in India. How can transit-oriented development address these challenges?

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct? (2017)

1. UN-Habitat has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all.

2. Its partners are either governments or local urban authorities only.

3. UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and to promote access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 1 and 3 only

Q . The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. (2016)

Essay on Role of Youth in Modern India

Students are often asked to write an essay on Role of Youth in Modern India 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 Role of Youth in Modern India

The power of youth.

Youth are the backbone of any nation. In modern India, they play a crucial role in shaping the country’s future. They are the torchbearers of change and progress, brimming with innovative ideas.

Education and Development

The youth of India are actively participating in education. They are harnessing the power of technology to learn and grow, contributing to India’s development.

Political Participation

Youth are also becoming more politically active, voicing their opinions, and influencing policy-making. They are the driving force behind a more democratic India.

To conclude, the youth are the future of India. Their role in shaping a modern, progressive India cannot be overstated.

250 Words Essay on Role of Youth in Modern India

Introduction.

The youth of India are the architects of tomorrow. They possess a dynamic spirit of innovation and disruption, which is crucial in a rapidly evolving world. As digital natives, they are at the forefront of technological advancements, driving India’s transition into a digital economy.

In the political sphere, the youth are not just spectators but active participants. They are increasingly involved in policy-making, leveraging social media platforms to voice their opinions and influence change. Their involvement is vital for a vibrant democracy.

Social Reformation

The youth are also pivotal in social reform. They challenge traditional norms and advocate for issues like gender equality, environmental sustainability, and human rights. Their progressive thinking fosters a culture of acceptance and inclusivity.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Despite their potential, the youth face several challenges such as unemployment and inadequate access to quality education. Addressing these issues requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders. Initiatives like skill development programs and educational reforms can equip the youth with the necessary tools to contribute effectively to the nation’s progress.

In conclusion, the youth are the torchbearers of change in modern India. Their energy, creativity, and resilience are invaluable assets in shaping a prosperous and inclusive future for the country.

500 Words Essay on Role of Youth in Modern India

The pivotal role of youth in modern india, driving economic growth.

India’s youth population is a potent economic force. The demographic dividend, a term coined to represent the economic potential of a young working-age population, is a key factor in India’s projected economic growth. The youth, with their innovative ideas, entrepreneurial spirit, and tech-savviness, are the driving force behind start-ups and technological advancements, propelling India towards becoming a digital and knowledge-based economy.

Promoting Social Change

The youth of India are not just economic contributors but social changemakers as well. They are at the forefront of social movements, advocating for equality, justice, and environmental sustainability. From participating in protests against social injustices to leading climate change initiatives, the youth are using their voices and digital platforms to effect meaningful social change.

Shaping the Political Landscape

Nurturing cultural evolution.

Cultural evolution is another arena where the youth play a key role. They are the custodians of India’s rich cultural heritage and are instrumental in its preservation. At the same time, they are also agents of cultural evolution, blending tradition with modernity and creating a unique cultural identity that reflects the diverse and dynamic spirit of modern India.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite their potential, the youth of India face numerous challenges, including unemployment, inadequate educational opportunities, and mental health issues. Addressing these challenges is crucial for harnessing the full potential of India’s youth. This requires comprehensive policies and initiatives that focus on education, skill development, job creation, and mental health support.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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FAQ about Development Of India

Constitutional Development of India

Constitutional Development – East India Company Rule (1773 – 1857)

Regulating Act of 1773

Pitts India Act of 1784

Charter Act of 1813

Charter Act of 1833

Charter Act of 1853

Constitutional Development – Rule under the British Crown (1857-1947)

Government of India Act of 1858

Indian Council Act of 1861

Indian Council Act of 1892

Indian Councils Act, 1909 – Morley Minto Reforms