Is India Truly Independent?

Synopsis

On the prestigious occasion of the 80th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted how far and how developed India has become since 2014 in sectors like Manufacturing and self-reliance, Digital India, and the accessibility of basic facilities. However, the Ground Reality is quite different.

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India’s Economic Rise vs Youth Unemployment Crisis

PM Modi stated, “India is moving rapidly from 5th to 3rd largest economy” However, despite an aggregate Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $4 trillion, India ranks around 135-140th globally in GDP per capita ($ 2,600 - $ 2,800).

Primarily focused on Start-up India, New avenues for innovation and entrepreneurship. New opportunities for young researchers, but in reality, the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) and India employment reports highlight that youth make up to 80% of India’s unemployed workforce, out of which graduate unemployment or educated unemployment, stands at 29%.

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Ongoing exam irregularities, paper leaks and recruitment delays, including controversies surrounding NEET-UG 2026, JPSC and JSSC along with concerns over recruitment models such as Agnipath, have intensified frustration among India’s government-job aspirants.”

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana was launched on February 15, 2024, with a budget of ₹75,021 crore. It aims to provide up to 300 units of free electricity monthly to 1 crore households by installing rooftop solar systems.

On-ground experience reveals structural friction. The scheme primarily benefits middle-class homeowners who can navigate bureaucratic clearances and afford the upfront capital of over ₹1.5 lakh before subsidies are reimbursed. For millions living in rented accommodation, multi-story apartments, or homes with informal roof structures, solar self-reliance remains out of reach.

India’s Infrastructure: Modernisation Versus Public Reality

The central government frequently cites the unprecedented pace of National Highway expansion and the introduction of gleaming semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains as hallmarks of a modernising, self-reliant superpower. Yet, beneath the slick expressways and inaugurated tracks lies a sharp divide between elite mobility and everyday public utility.

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Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Findings, A report on the flagship ‘Bharatmala Pariyojana’ revealed severe financial discrepancies, noting that sanctioned costs surged by 58% to ₹8.46 lakh crore for just 75% of the approved project length.

In corridors like the Dwarka Expressway, the sanctioned cost skyrocketed from the CCEA-approved ₹18.2 crore/km to an astounding ₹250.7 crore/km.

Recently, amidst the monsoon season, newly inaugurated expressways such as Delhi–Dehradun, Mumbai–Pune missing link and Ganga Expressway, all of them have one thing in common: parts or sections of them collapsed and let to further fatalities.

While world-class asphalt expands, mobility has become increasingly privatised. Meanwhile, rural connectivity frequently suffers from neglect, poor quality maintenance, and seasonal erosion; in Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh, around 300 government primary school children and nearly 100 parents marched 5 to 6 kilometres to the District Magistrate's (DM) office to demand a paved road to their school.

Modern Railway production has increased by 21 times, yet the government heavily markets high-speed modernisation through Vande Bharat Expresses, while ordinary sleeper and general unreserved coaches, used by the vast majority of working-class commuters, have been systematically reduced to accommodate AC rakes. This has caused severe overcrowding, stampedes, and hazardous travel conditions for low-income passengers.

Vikist Bharat 2047: Vision versus Ground Reality

Vikist Bharat refers to ‘Developed India’, It is a national vision and plan by the government of India to transform India from a developing nation to a developed nation, which will mark 100 years since India gained Independence.

Economic expansion: reach a target of USD 30 to 40 trillion. End poverty and raise the standard of living. Provide good jobs, top schools, and modern health care for all. Build strong technology, clean energy, and advanced structures.

Four main pillars: Yuva (youth), Garib (poor), Mahilayen (women) and Annadata (Farmers).

Significant grassroots gaps challenge the official narrative. Yuva face deep frustration over persistent paper leaks, exam cancellations, and formal job deficits despite anti-cheating laws. For the Garib, free food grain schemes prevent outright starvation, yet homelessness, malnutrition, and informal insecurity persist. Mahilayen still battle last-mile shortages of subsidised menstrual hygiene products in rural pockets despite health drives. Meanwhile, Annadata remain locked in multi-year protests demanding legally guaranteed MSP and sustainable agrarian reform. Bridging the divide between ambitious 2047 policy targets and daily execution remains the central hurdle.