A Citizen's Perspective on India's Policy Shifts
From 2014 onwards, India has navigated a complex path of policy-making under the Modi government. This interactive analysis explores the key "Right Turns," "Left Turns," "U-Turns," and "Wrong Turns" that have defined a transformative decade, viewed through the lens of a common citizen's experiences and concerns.
Economic Policies
The government's economic agenda has been a tale of two distinct narratives: a bold push towards digitalization and market-oriented reforms, contrasted with disruptive interventions and policies that struggled to meet their ambitious targets. This section dissects the major economic initiatives and their perceived impact on businesses and citizens alike.
The Two Engines: 'Make in India' & 'Digital India'
The government's flagship programs aimed to transform India into a manufacturing and digital powerhouse. While Digital India achieved widespread adoption, Make in India faced significant hurdles in boosting manufacturing and creating jobs.
Make in India: A Mixed Reality
Despite attracting FDI, manufacturing's GDP share stagnated and unemployment rose.
Digital India: A Tangible Success
Digital payments and financial inclusion saw explosive growth, directly impacting daily life.
97 Cr+
Internet Users
100B+
Annual UPI Txns
Demonetization: The 'Wrong Turn'?
In 2016, 86% of India's cash was invalidated overnight to fight black money. The move caused immense hardship for the cash-reliant informal sector, with limited success in its stated goals.
The return of nearly all invalidated cash raised questions about the policy's effectiveness in erasing black money.
GST: 'Good and Simple' or a 'U-Turn'?
Introduced in 2017, the Goods and Services Tax aimed to create 'One Nation, One Tax'. However, its complex multi-slab structure created compliance burdens for small businesses and increased costs for many households.
Hover over the chart to see the complex tax slabs that challenged the "simple" promise of GST.
Social Welfare
A significant "Left Turn" was visible in the expansion of welfare programs targeting basic needs like sanitation, housing, and cooking fuel. While these schemes successfully expanded access for millions, challenges in affordability, sustained usage, and last-mile delivery have tempered their long-term impact.
Swachh Bharat
12 Cr+
Toilets built, significantly improving national sanitation coverage from 38% to a claimed 100% by 2019.
Ujjwala Yojana
Over 10 crore free LPG connections were distributed to poor women. However, affordability remained a key challenge.
Refill data highlights the gap between access and sustained use due to rising costs.
PM Awas Yojana
4 Cr+
Permanent houses sanctioned or completed under the 'Housing for All' mission, though implementation faced allegations of corruption.
Governance & Rights
This era has been defined by a decisive ideological "Right Turn," with landmark decisions on national identity and centralization. Simultaneously, growing concerns over democratic backsliding, declining press freedom, and the use of state agencies have sparked intense debate about the health of India's democratic institutions.
Press Freedom Index
India's ranking has fallen significantly, raising concerns about media independence and the space for dissent.
Use of Investigative Agencies
Critics allege the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been disproportionately used against political opponents.
Abrogation of Article 370
Ended the special autonomous status of Jammu & Kashmir for full integration.
Criticisms & Concerns
Described as unconstitutional by critics, the move was followed by a communications blackout, mass arrests, and raised significant human rights concerns.
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)
Granted an expedited path to citizenship for non-Muslim minorities from 3 neighboring countries.
Criticisms & Concerns
Sparked massive protests over its exclusion of Muslims, which critics argued violates India's secular constitution. Fears were raised about its potential linkage with a nationwide NRC.
A Legacy of Contradictions
As seen through a citizen's eyes, the Modi government's legacy is a tapestry of undeniable progress and profound concerns. The decade has seen transformative digital infrastructure and welfare outreach, yet also witnessed rising unemployment, deepening social polarization, and a perceived weakening of democratic institutions.
The path forward for India hinges on balancing developmental ambitions with the core tenets of democracy—ensuring that growth is inclusive, civil liberties are protected, and the space for dissent is preserved. The central question remains whether India can become a developed nation while strengthening, not just retaining, the values of its vibrant democracy.
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