WHERE DO WE STAND TODAY - VIKSIT BHARAT-2047

 Introduction Viksit Bharat-2047 is a great vision to make India a developed nation by 100th year of independence. It doesn’t mean only a big GDP, but also high-income, low poverty, world-class infra, human development at par with developed countries. The Indian Govt has been putting- in a lot of efforts in every field to endure that this mission turns in a great success. Key Objectives · Dollar 30 Trillion economy, $18,000 per capita income (from $ 2,800 today). · Socially the goal is to achieve 100% literacy and healthy middle-class India. · To improve environmental, the goal is to achieve net zero green growth. · In the field of governance, the aim is to achieve corruption-free, digital, and efficient state. Current Status-Sep 2026 The present progress of the Viksit Bharat has been slow in few sectors. The details are; firstly, the current GDP is $ 4.1 Trillion, 4th largest. Per capita income is still low- $ 2,800. As the target is $ 18K, it needs 8-9% consistent growth for the next 20 years. Secondly, the current poverty status is below 5%, but 25% is still vulnerable lower middle class, though the multidimensional poverty has come down from 25% to 15% in the last 10 years. Thirdly, in infrastructure; 80% electrified rail, more than 150 airports, 50 km highway per day is being developed. However, the logistic cost is still 13% of the GDP vs 8% in US. Fourthly, in human capital, literacy is 77%, and female labor participation is only 37%. Fifthly, the current manufacturing is 16-17% of the GDP, whereas it should be 25%. Sixthly, for R&D, we are spending only 0.65% of the GDP vs 3.5% by US, and 2.4% by China. 2 Challenges Being Faced · Economic. Low private investment (60% investment is still by Govt), Judicial delay in contracts, MSMEs lack credit, and land acquisition delays. Actions by the Govt are: PLI in 14 sectors, GST simplification, GatiShakti for infra planning, and PM GatiShakti logistics cost target 9% by 2030. · Agriculture. 45% population is dependent, but contributes only 15% of GDP. Fragmented holdings (86% farmers have less than 2 hectares), climate risk, and low MSP realization. Actions by the Govt are: PM-KISHAN, Agri Stack digital, Natural farming mission, and millet push. · Industry/ Semiconductors. Import is dependent on China for electronics, solar, and APIs (70% pharma API). Semiconductor chain is just starting. Actions by the Govt are: India semiconductor mission $ 10 billion, Tata fabs in Dholera & Assam, and critical mineral mission for lithium. · Human Development. Learning poverty-50% class 5 cannot read class 2 text (ASER), health out-of-pocket 50%, brain drain in AI/semicon. Actions by the Govt are: NEP 2020 rollout, skill India 2.0, Ayushman Bharat, and PM Kaushal project have been started. · Infrastructure. Power discoms bankrupt, urban water/sanitation is lagging, and 70% freight is still carried by road and not by rail. Actions by the Govt are: Separate freight corridors, additional push for water and sanitation, 50% non-fossil power achieved in 2025, green hydrogen mission, and 500 GW RE target by 2030. · Governance. Case pendency is 5 crore, regulatory overlap Centre-State, corruption at last-mile delivery. Actions by the Govt are: DBT (saved Rs 3.5 lakh cr leakage), ONDC, and Jan Vishwas Act decriminalizing 180 minor offences. 3 · Impact of US-Iran and Russia-Ukraine Wars. These wars had major setback in the planned progress of Viksit Bharat: rise in the cost of crude oil imports, doubled DAP prices, shipping insurance and agriculture cost became high, Make-in-India export was delayed, and container cost went 300% higher. All these factors are delaying growth by 1 percent yearly. The Govt, however, is trying its best to import crude oil from different sources and has also finalized MoUs for Free Trade Agreement with many countries. Planning by the Govt to Resolve Problems The Govt is carrying out immediate mid-course corrections so that the aims and objectives, set for Viksit Bharat 2047, are realized well in time. The priority actions are: firstly, to carry out judicial and land reforms for time-bound commercial activities for better private investments. Secondly, in manufacturing, Govt is focusing on deep PLI; making machines that make chips, not just assembly. Also, the Govt is planning to increase R&D spending with tax incentive. Thirdly, Govt is thinking of female-led growth; if female participation goes from 37% to 60%, GDP will add $ 3Trillion by 2047. For this, safe transport, crèche, and flexible laws are being considered. Fourthly, Govt is planning of creating energy security fund- 90 day strategic oil and semiconductor reserve and long-term deal with Russia-Iran despite pressure from US. Fifthly, plans are to make few new Greenfield economic cities with single-window law; to absorb 15-16 cr rural youth moving to cities by 2047. Conclusion India will be able to achieve objectives of Viksit Bharat if we grow at 8-9 % consistently and fix three things; education quality, manufacturing depth, and state capacity. If the Govt does that, we will reach upper-middle income by 2035 and developed status by 2047. Final result in 2047 will depend on next 10 years, a decisive decade. Wars outside will cause headwinds, but it is the internal reforms which will impact the 80% of battle. Brig Sansar Verma