The Narendra Modi government has completed 12 years in power following its historic initial election victory on 26 May 2014. Over this period, spanning three consecutive terms, the administration has implemented sweeping economic structural changes, large-scale social welfare schemes, massive infrastructure upgrades, and decisive ideological milestones. These 12 years are marked by India’s ascension to the world’s 5th largest economy and a fundamental shift toward an “AatmaNirbhar” nation. This has come about also because of Economic Reforms & Digital Growth, which were a departure from the Congress ‘socialist’ legacy.
The BJP led NDA takes particular pride in establishing the Digital Public Infrastructure. There is no doubt that the evolution of the JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) and the UPI network revolutionised retail transactions, making India a global leader in cashless payments. There has also been significant Taxation Transformation – the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) unified the country into “One Nation, One Tax”, eliminating 17 different indirect taxes. Recent policy expansions include GST Reforms 2.0 to boost compliance. Also, India transitioned from being labelled one of the “Fragile Five” economies to the world’s fastest-growing major economy, expanding its GDP from roughly Rs 2 trillion in 2014 to over Rs 4 trillion. There has also been much needed rollout of unified labour codes which consolidated decades-old laws to improve industrial productivity and simplify hiring while balancing worker protections.
There has also been Infrastructure & Manufacturing Acceleration involving Transport Overhaul. The construction of National Highways more than doubled, paired with full-scale railway electrification, airport expansions, and the widespread deployment of indigenous Vande Bharat express trains. Make in India & PLI Schemes involved the introduction of aggressive Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, which triggered a boom in local electronics and heavy engineering manufacturing. Mobile phone manufacturing grew exponentially, making India the second-largest mobile producer globally.
Also worth noting is the Green Energy Transition effort. Solar capacity has scaled over 34 times, backed by multi-billion dollar commitments like the National Green Hydrogen Mission to transform domestic energy reliance.
What should not be missed is the Direct Welfare Delivery & Inclusion initiative. This involved financial inclusion – over 58 crore Jan Dhan accounts were opened to deliver leak-proof Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), bypassing traditional middlemen. Very importantly, there is focus on Healthcare Security. The Ayushman Bharat scheme was launched to provide Rs 5 lakh in free annual health insurance to over 50 crore citizens.
It must not be forgotten that under the Swachh Bharat Mission, over 12 crore household toilets were constructed. Concurrently, the PM Awas Yojana built over 4 crore solid brick homes for impoverished families, and the Ujjwala Yojana provided clean gas connections to over 10.5 crore women.
Through the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi, direct cash transfers of Rs 6,000 annually have been continuously deposited into the bank accounts of over 11 crore farmers. Politically, the abrogation of Article 370 is a landmark revocation of Jammu & Kashmir’s special status integrated the region fully with the Indian Union. Civilisational Milestones worth mentioning, of course, are the building and consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and the development of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.
Significant measures have been taken regarding Defence & Counter-Terrorism. The administration established a strict zero-tolerance counter-terrorism policy, illustrated historically by surgical strikes and recently by targeted military responses like Operation Sindoor. Defence exports have also grown significantly with domestic manufacture of the Tejas fighter jet and BrahMos missiles.
It must be conceded, however, that some initiatives could not succeed, such as the farm reforms and the women’s reservation in Parliament and Assemblies, owing to political opposition and protests.
