Roadmap for Viksit Bharat 2047

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his 79th Independence Day address from the Red Fort, presenting a long-term vision for a self-reliant, secure, and developed India by 2047.

Key Announcements and Themes

Strategic Autonomy and National Security

• Operation Sindoor: Demonstrated use of indigenously developed weapons in counter-terror operations.
• Indus Waters Treaty (IWT): PM declared that “blood and water will not flow together,” underlining India’s stand against providing resources to adversaries.
• Mission Sudarshan Chakra: Launch of an advanced indigenous weapon system to strengthen deterrence and ensure a nationwide security shield by 2035.
• High-Powered Demography Mission: Addressing illegal infiltration and safeguarding demographic integrity.

Atmanirbhar Bharat and Technological Sovereignty

• Semiconductors: First Made-in-India chip by 2025.
• Private participation in nuclear sector to enhance energy self-reliance.
• National Critical Minerals Mission: Exploration of 1,200 sites for securing strategic resources.
• National Deepwater Exploration Mission: Harnessing offshore energy for reduced import dependence.
• Indigenous Innovation Drive: Encouragement to youth for creating indigenous jet engines, social media platforms, fertilizers, and medical technologies.

Economic Reforms and Growth

• Next-Generation Economic Reforms:
  • Abolition of 40,000 compliances and 1,500 outdated laws.
  • Over 280 redundant provisions removed in recent sessions.
  • Next-Generation GST reforms by Diwali to rationalize tax burdens and empower MSMEs.
• PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana: ?1 lakh crore employment initiative; newly employed youth to receive ?15,000 benefit, targeting 3 crore youth.

Energy and Nuclear Self-Reliance

• Achievement of 50% clean energy target by 2025, five years before schedule.
• Plans to increase nuclear capacity tenfold by 2047; construction of 10 new reactors underway.
• Assertion that import substitution in energy can redirect savings to farmer welfare.

Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Innovation

• Call for self-reliance in medicines and vaccines.
• Encouragement of indigenous patents in drug and medical technology sector.
• Example: India’s COVID-19 response (CoWIN platform and indigenous vaccines) as a model of innovation and global welfare.

Space and Innovation Ecosystem

• Indian space station preparations underway, following Gaganyaan mission.
• Growth of 300+ startups in satellite technology, space exploration, and allied domains.

Agriculture and Rural Economy

• India ranks 1 in milk, pulses, jute, and No. 2 in rice, wheat, cotton, fruits, vegetables.
• Agricultural exports crossed ?4 lakh crore.
• PM DhanyaDhanya Krishi Yojana launched for 100 backward districts to strengthen irrigation, crop productivity, and livestock protection.

Strengths of the Vision

• Strategic Autonomy: Focus on dismantling dependence on foreign defence and energy.
• Youth-Centric Growth: Employment scheme and innovation push to harness demographic dividend.
• Self-Reliance in Critical Sectors: From semiconductors to pharmaceuticals, an emphasis on indigenous production.
• Sustainability: Clean energy transition ahead of schedule; nuclear expansion for long-term stability.
• Holistic Security: Linking internal demographic security with external defence posture.

Challenges Ahead

• Implementation Gaps: Historical precedents show lag between announcements and on-ground delivery.
• Global Dependencies: Despite focus on self-reliance, global supply chain interlinkages in semiconductors, minerals, and energy remain critical.
• Fiscal Burden: Employment schemes and large-scale infrastructure missions may strain fiscal resources.
• Geopolitical Tensions: Indus Waters Treaty stand and counter-terror posture may escalate regional challenges.

Way Forward

• Ensure time-bound implementation of missions with transparent monitoring.
• Strengthen public–private partnerships in critical technology and defence.
• Balance self-reliance with global integration, avoiding isolationist tendencies.
• Expand investment in R&D and skilling to sustain innovation-driven growth.
• Adopt climate-resilient strategies in agriculture to maintain export leadership while addressing farmer welfare.