essay on india's 75 years of independence

Essay on 75 Years of Indian Independence

Students are often asked to write an essay on 75 Years of Indian Independence in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on 75 Years of Indian Independence

The journey of independence.

India has completed 75 years of independence, a journey that began on 15th August 1947. This period has been marked by significant growth and development, despite various challenges.

Post-Independence Era

Initially, India faced numerous issues like poverty and illiteracy. The leaders worked hard to uplift the country, focusing on education, infrastructure, and health.

Economic Progress

India has made remarkable economic progress. It’s now one of the fastest-growing economies, with advancements in technology, space research, and various industries.

Cultural Preservation

Despite modernization, India has managed to preserve its rich cultural heritage, showcasing its diversity to the world.

Looking Ahead

As India steps into the next 75 years, the aim is to build an inclusive, prosperous nation, ensuring a better future for all.

250 Words Essay on 75 Years of Indian Independence

Introduction.

India, a nation with a rich history, diverse culture, and a promising future, celebrated 75 years of independence in 2021. This milestone marks a journey of resilience, development, and transformation, which is worthy of reflection and celebration.

Post-Independence Struggles

The initial years following independence were marked by the daunting task of nation-building. The partition of India and Pakistan led to large-scale violence, displacement, and socio-economic challenges. The nascent government had to formulate a constitution, establish institutions, and ensure social justice amidst this chaos.

Progressive Developments

Over the years, India has made significant strides in various fields. The Green Revolution transformed the agricultural landscape, making India self-sufficient in food grains. The IT revolution positioned India as a global hub for technology and services. India’s space program, ISRO, has achieved remarkable feats, including the successful Mars Orbiter Mission.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Despite these accomplishments, India still grapples with issues such as poverty, illiteracy, and corruption. The economic disparity is a pressing concern that needs to be addressed. However, with the advent of digital technology and initiatives like Digital India, there is hope for a more inclusive and equitable future.

The 75 years of Indian independence is a saga of triumph, resilience, and constant evolution. The journey has been challenging, but the progress made is commendable. As we look forward to the future, the lessons from the past will guide India towards a prosperous and inclusive society.

500 Words Essay on 75 Years of Indian Independence

The dawn of independence.

India, a land of rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions, celebrated its 75th year of independence in 2021. This independence, achieved after a prolonged struggle against British rule, marked the beginning of a new era of self-governance, democracy, and socio-economic development. The journey from 1947 to the present day has been a saga of significant transformation and growth.

Post-Independence Challenges

The immediate aftermath of independence was a period of considerable challenges. The partition of the country into India and Pakistan led to widespread communal violence and a massive refugee crisis. The new nation was also faced with the task of integrating hundreds of princely states into the Indian Union. Despite these adversities, India managed to create a democratic system, which was a remarkable achievement considering the socio-economic conditions of the time.

Building a Democratic Republic

The adoption of the Constitution in 1950 laid the foundation for India as a democratic republic. The Constitution, which is the longest written constitution in the world, enshrines the principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. It established a parliamentary system of government, universal adult franchise, and a commitment to social justice and human rights.

Economic Development and Modernization

In the economic sphere, India embarked on a path of planned development with the establishment of the Planning Commission in 1950. The focus was on self-reliance and the development of key industries and infrastructure. Over the years, India has transitioned from an agrarian economy to a diversified one with substantial growth in sectors such as information technology, telecommunications, and services.

India on the Global Stage

India’s foreign policy, characterized by the principles of non-alignment and peaceful coexistence, has evolved over the years. India has played a significant role in international affairs, be it the fight against apartheid in South Africa or contributing to United Nations peacekeeping missions. Today, India is seen as a major global player with increasing influence in international forums.

The Road Ahead

As India celebrates 75 years of independence, it stands at a crucial juncture. While it has made significant strides in various spheres, challenges remain. Issues such as poverty, illiteracy, corruption, and environmental degradation need to be addressed. The vision for the future should be to build an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient India.

In conclusion, the journey of India since independence has been a story of resilience, transformation, and progress. The 75th year of independence is not just a milestone but a moment of reflection on the past and a vision for a brighter future. The onus is on the current generation to carry forward the legacy of the freedom fighters and work towards realizing the dream of a truly independent, prosperous, and inclusive India.

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Essay on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in English: India’s 75 Years of Freedom

• Updated on  
• Oct 26, 2023

As the clock struck midnight on August 15, 1947, India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru delivered his historic speech, Tryst with Destiny. His words marked the beginning of a new era for India which finally broke the shackles of colonial rule. Fast forwarding to the 21st century, those revolutionary words are still remembered as India commences its Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Ever since its commencement, this topic has become popular in essay writing competitions. So, if you also need help in writing an essay, then continue reading to find samples.

Also Read: Essay On Subhash Chandra Bose for Students

Table of Contents

• 1 Essay on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (In 100 Words)
• 2 Essay on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (In 200 Words)
• 3 Essay on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (In 500 Words)

Essay on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (In 100 Words)

Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is a phrase in Hindi that symbolizes the great initiative taken by the Government of India. Inaugurated on 12 March 2021 in Ahmedabad, it celebrates the auspicious completion of 75 years of Independence. It includes five different themes such as Freedom Struggle (commemorating unsung heroes), Achievements@75 (Inda’s evolution and progress), Actions@75 (implementing policies), Ideas@75 (events that shaped the nation), and Resolve@75 (collective determination to shape the future). To reflect on the nation’s rich history, this festival will also consist of different events with the final event taking place on 15 August 2023.

Also Read: Speech on Corruption

Essay on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (In 200 Words)

Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is an Indian commemorative event that marks the 75th anniversary of the country’s revolutionary independence from British colonial rule in 1947. It pays tribute to national heroes and instills values like Democracy and patriotism in every individual. 

Inauguration

The Mahotsav was launched by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12th March 2021. It all began in Ahmedabad with the Prime Minister flagging off a metaphorical 386-km Dandi March. This padayatra celebrated the 91st anniversary of the historic salt march started by Mahatma Gandhi. Later on, the Mahotsav was launched for other prominent cities during the freedom battle. 

Themes of the Mahotsav

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav focuses on five different themes. The first is Freedom Struggle, which honors the dead souls who gave their lives in the pursuit of independence. Next, Ideas@75 focuses on those historic events that shaped the nation. Actions@75 talks about implementing new policies and schemes. Achievements@75 is all about showcasing India’s progress and evolution all these years. Finally, Resolve@75 theme promotes collective determination to shape the country’s future.  

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is not a mere celebratory event. Instead, it is a huge day for India and its citizens. Every individual across the nation is waiting to celebrate this glorious day. 

Also Read: Essay on Waste Management

Essay on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (In 500 Words)

Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, a significant monumental day for India and its citizens, marks the 75th anniversary of independence. It commemorates the long struggle of India’s freedom fighters and revolutionaries who gave their lives for the country’s liberation from British colonial rule. Moreover, it also holds profound cultural and historical importance and reflects the nation’s struggle from a dominated country to a sovereign nation. 

The Beginning of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is a significant initiative taken by the government of India. It began the journey on 12 March 2021 where it started a 75-week countdown to the 75th anniversary of Independence. Moreover, It will eventually come to its conclusion on 15 August 2023. 

The Significance of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav for the Youth

Evidently, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav has become a huge topic of discussion and debate among school students. The significance of this glorious celebration is significantly related to instilling feelings of patriotism and nationalism in young minds. Through creative innovations like the metaphorical Dandi March, children can learn about the struggles and sacrifices of this nation.   

Key Highlights of Padyatra

The Mahotsav began with a 386-km Dandi March padayatra. The Padyatra started from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad and concluded in Dandi, South Gujarat. It began with 81 marchers and was 25 days long. In addition to this, this Padyatra celebrated the 91st anniversary of India’s historic Dandi March, started by Mahatma Gandhi.

The Five Themes of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

There are five themes associated with Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav with numerous events and programs planned under each one. The first theme is the Freedom Struggle. This is one of the most essential aspects. It pays homage to those countless fighters who fought for India’s freedom. From Mahatma Gandhi’s belief in non-violent resistance to Sarojini Naidu’s anti-imperialism and Subhas Chandra Bose’s escapades, this day reminds us of their unyielding spirits. Achievements@75 showcases the country’s progress attained in various sectors as a 75-year-old independent country. 

Next, Actions@75 focuses solely on efforts such as schemes and policies being undertaken to take the nation on the path of prosperity and growth. The Ideas@75 theme takes into consideration the diverse ideals and events that inspired India to make its significant contribution to the ever-changing landscape of this world. Finally, the fifth theme of this Mahotsav is Resolve@75 which motivates citizens to play their part in the growth and progress of the country. 

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrates the rich cultural heritage and achievements of citizens in different fields on the global level. In a sense, this magnificent day is dedicated to all those people, living and dead, who have been instrumental in driving India to its potential. Therefore, it is more than a celebratory event. Instead, it is a huge day for India and its rich history. As the nation looks back on the countless sacrifices that paved the way for its freedom, it also looks ahead to a better future. 

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is a Hindi phrase that is referred to as the elixir of freedom, inspiration, independence, new ideas, and Atma Nirbharta. 

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav was announced on March 12, 2021 and will conclude on August 15, 2023.

This was everything you need to know to help you write an amazing essay on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in English. To read more such informative content, stay connected with us. If you dream about studying abroad but don’t know how to begin, don’t worry. Contact Leverage Edu today and get end-to-end assistance.

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75 Years of India's Independence: Post August 15 1947 Journey, Historic Events, Achievements & Milestones

75 years of india's independence: let’s look at india’s 75 years of journey post-independence from 15th august 1947 till now including major historic events, significant achievements, & milestones..

75 Years of India's Independence: Post 15 th August 1947, India’s journey has become a great example of an impressive growth story. The journey highlights India’s expansion ranging from agricultural production to nuclear and space technology, from affordable health care to world-class educational institutions, from Ayurveda to biotechnology, from giant steel plants to becoming an IT power, and having the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world.

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75 Years of India’s Independence: Historic Events, Significant Achievements & Milestones

• Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,
• Mutual non-aggression,
• Mutual non-interference,
• Equality and mutual benefit, and
• Peaceful co-existence.”

On 25th June 1983, the Indian Cricket Team created history for the first time by winning the World Cup by defeating West Indies who had won the last two world cup. India’s Victory in 1983 is considered to be the landmark moment in Cricket History. 83 World cup was played in Lord's Stadium (England). For the first time, an Asian Nation-India reached the World Cup Final and this was the third consecutive World Cup final appearance for the West Indies.

Draupadi Murmu took oath as the 15th President of India on July 25, 2022. She contested against Yashwant Sinha, the joint opposition’s nominee for the top constitutional job. Draupadi Murmu is a tribal leader from Rairangpur in the Mayurbhanj district in Odisha

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Get here current GK and GK quiz questions in English and Hindi for India , World, Sports and Competitive exam preparation. Download the Jagran Josh Current Affairs App .

• Q1. In which year will India complete 75 years of independence? + 15th August 2022
• Q2. What is the name given to the celebration of India's 75 years of Independence by the Government? + 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.
• Q3. When was Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav started? + The official journey of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” commences on 12th March 2021 which starts a 75-week countdown to our 75th anniversary of Independence and will end post a year on 15th August 2023.
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• For how many years Britishers ruled over India? Often referred to as the British Raj, the British ruling in India was from 1858 to 1947.
• Who was the first Prime Minister of Independent India? Jawaharlal Nehru of the Indian National Congress was the first Prime Minister (PM) of independent India.
• Who was the first President of independent India? Politician-lawyer-journalist Dr Rajendra Prasad was the first President of the country.
• Who was the first viceroy of India? Lord Canning was the first Viceroy of India. Before India became independent, the Viceroy was the chief administrator of the country.
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आज़ादी का अमृत महोत्सव | 75 years of india’s independence.

‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ by flagging off ‘Dandi March’ from Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad on 12th March, 2021. The celebrations started 75 weeks before our 75th anniversary of Independence and will end on 15th August, 2023.

Department of Higher Education and Department of School Education & Literacy have planned various activities under ‘आज़ादी का अमृत महोत्सव’.

Activities planned by D/o School Education & Literacy

• Shikshak Parv focusing on the evolving role of Teachers since independence will be organised
• International Webinar
• On India’s Unique Toy-based Pedagogy
• Incorporated in the National Curriculum Framework, in the period between August-December 2021.
• Essay Competitions / Seminars /Cycle Rallies in every Schools
• School Assemblies to focus on Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsava
• Special School Badge with logo of Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsava
• National Initiative for Proficiency and Understanding Numeracy and literacy is the National Mission for achieving Foundational Literacy and Numeracy in five years.
• National Digital Educational Architecture – a digital architecture to support teaching and learning activities educational planning, governance and administrative activities of the Centre and the States/ Union Territories in accordance with NEP 2020
• Change in QP pattern in Board exams (10% change in class 12 and 20% change in class 10) in accordance with NEP 2020
• Certification of approximately 24 lakhs elementary school teachers for completing NISHTHA
• School Nutrition Gardens – teaching gardening and agriculture concepts and skills to students that integrate with several subjects, such as math, science, art, health and physical education, and social studies, as well as several educational goals, including personal and social responsibility
• Launch of Vidyanjali portal – connect volunteers/ alumni/ community/ organisations etc. to schools
• Launch of an interesting Yoga Quiz, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Story writing competition on “The contribution of Paired state in India’s struggle for freedom” for children on MyGov platform
• History through Grandparents – all schools to participate
• Launch of NISHTHA modules for secondary school teachers and teachers at foundational levels
• Introduction of optional one-time improvement exams in CBSE
• Schools post celebration of Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsava on social media, and works of art/craft, music, dance, etc. on this occasion.
• Online music competition by KendriyaVidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas on patriotic songs of paired states under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
• Celebration of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on 31st October under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
• Pilot launch of new 4-year integrated B.Ed programme
• Development of dictionary of approximately 2000 words in ISL
• International Webinar on Toy-based learning and pedagogy
• Webinar on India’s freedom

Activities planned by D/o Higher Education

• Mentoring Yuva Scheme
• Publications
• National Seminars
• International Seminars
• Regional Seminars
• Special Lecture Series
• Research Projects
• 75 articles in three volumes to be completed by 15th Aug 2022
• Lectures/ regional seminars/ webinars
• Seminar/ lectures
• Special volume and publication based on seminars/ lectures held
• Research studies
• Seminars under IMPRESS Scheme
• Projects under IMPRESS Scheme
• Write ups on lesser known personalities
• Chair for Research Study
• Publication
• Storytelling, literature building and archiving contributions of unsung heroes
• Dissemination of lesser known traditions
• Achievements @75 (workshop)
• Research study on freedom struggle
• India:Resolve@100 by NCVET
• Webinars, cultural events, workshops etc.
• AKAM – Innovation Week Celebration (10 to 16 January, 2022)
• AKAM – Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Week in February, 2022

To view latest Photos and Videos, visit: https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/events-activities.htm

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Arts & Culture

Celebrating 75 years of independent India

05 Aug, 2022

[[read-time]] min read

August 15th, 1947 is etched deep into history and people’s collective memory as the day that India achieved independence. Over the last 75 years, India has channeled her civilizational strengths and cultural diversity into a brand new shared future, and opportunities for achievement, progress, and prosperity for its billion-plus citizens, making our country an inspiration for the rest of the world.

In our journey in India over the past 15+ years, we have had the privilege of solving for India’s unique needs, inspiring innovations that have not just benefited hundreds of millions of people here but those all around the world.

As India ushers in its vision for the next 25 years, we’re excited to join in the country’s 75th Independence Day celebrations by launching a series of special initiatives over the course of the anniversary year across our products and services. These initiatives will enable the many millions of Digital Indians today to participate in this momentous occasion, be inspired by the milestones the country has marked in the past, and moreover, celebrate the steady progress it continues to make on so many fronts.

We are pleased to join the Ministry of Culture to offer people informative online content on the contributions of Indians and the evolution of India’s progress throughout the Government’s own year-long ‘ Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav ’ program.

Mr. G Kishan Reddy, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region of India: “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of its people, culture, and achievements. This Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Having made tremendous progress on empowering citizens through digital, I am hopeful that the partnership with Google shall strengthen the Ministry’s goal of preserving, promoting and disseminating all forms of Indian art and culture. I am pleased to note that Google is launching a broad-based effort to leverage its products and services and pay tribute to the occasion. This is an important expansion of our collaborations with Google Arts & Culture in digitising India’s rich history and heritage.”

The centerpiece of the celebrations is the launch of a new collection on Google Arts & Culture named ‘ India ki Udaan ’. This collection will celebrate India’s unwavering spirit and its 75 years of independence. This special collection, whose literal translation means “India takes flight”, allows anyone to explore more than 120 illustrations and 21 stories created by 10 talented artists, alongside exhibitions from various institutions across India — including the Ministry of Tourism, Museum of Art & Photography, Heritage Directorate of the Indian Railways, the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Dastkari Haat Samiti. This initiative offers a unique view of some of India's remarkable moments and lets people discover India’s history, its iconic personalities, its proudest scientific and sporting achievements, and how women in India continue to inspire the world. As we go forward, we’ll continue to work with partners and artists to enrich the collection.

Click to check out Google Arts & Culture’s new India ki Udaan collection

Amit Sood, Director, Google Arts & Culture: “We’re thrilled to join the celebration with a brand new collection called ‘India ki Udaan’. Our Google Arts & Culture journey began in India ten years ago. Over the past decade, our mission of making world culture more accessible to everyone through technology has evolved. And thanks to more than 100 partners in India, we bring the cultural treasures, stories, and artists from India to the global audience. To our partners, a huge thank you. And by partners we mean everyone: the curator spending time to create a stunning online exhibition, the art handlers who help digitise thousands of spaces and archives, the preservation expert sharing fragile treasures, the directors who believe in participating in an online platform, and everyone behind the scenes. Together with our partners, we look forward to enriching our India ki Udaan collections by bringing to it the unique blend of archives and artistry for people in India and across the globe.”

Starting today, you can explore the ‘India ki Udaan ’ collection in English and Hindi on Google Arts & Culture. Read more here .

A celebration such as this would remain incomplete without the participation of children whose hopes and dreams will help shape the future. We’re thrilled to open up entries to the 2022 Doodle for Google contest on the theme of “In the next 25 years, my India will…” to students from Grade 1-10 based in India through September 30, 2022. For details on how to enter the contest, resources for educators and parents, as well the contest rules, head to our website . The National Winner will see their artwork on the Google homepage in India on November 14th, and win a INR 500,000 college scholarship, a INR 200,000 technology package for their school/non-profit organisation, a recognition of achievement, Google hardware, and fun Google collectibles. 4 Group winners and 15 finalists will also win exciting prizes. We can’t wait to see what students create.

Starting August 15th, we will be launching many delightful experiences across our other products and services for people to participate in the celebrations.

Follow us on @GoogleIndia to stay updated.

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Guts and glory: Story of India's 75 years of independence

India is gearing up to celebrate its 75 years of Independence (76th Independence Day) from British rule on August 15, Monday. India achieved its Independence from British colonial rule on August 15, 1947.

The struggle for freedom was a long and tiresome one; witnessing the sacrifices of many freedom fighters, who laid down their lives for their country and fellow citizens.

This day honours our freedom fighters, the history of our country, its culture, and the nation's achievements as a whole.

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India’s achievements after 75 years of Independence

India's achievements after 75 years of Independence: Article talks about the progress India has made in the last 75 years in the field of economic growth, scientific innovations and in other fields.

Table of Contents

India’s achievements after 75 Years of India’s Independence:  India’s achivement after August 15th, 1947, has become a prime illustration of a remarkable growth tale. The journey demonstrates India’s development in areas such as agricultural production, nuclear and space technology, world-class educational institutions, Ayurveda, biotechnology, giant steel plants, and becoming a leader in information technology, as well as having the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world.

India’s achievements after 75 years of Independence: Historic Events, Significant Achievements & Milestones

As India marks its 75th year of independence, let’s examine the historical occurrences, notable accomplishments, and noteworthy milestones that occurred during this time:

15 th  August 1947: India’s Independence Day

India became independent from British rule on August 15, 1947. On August 14, 1947, just before the clock struck twelve, our first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, gave the renowned “Tryst with Destiny” speech to the Indian Constituent Assembly in the Parliament. On August 15 in Delhi’s Red Fort, Pandit Nehru raised the Indian National Flag over the Lahori Gate.

26 th  January 1950: India became a Republic Country

The Indian Constituent Assembly ratified the Constitution on November 26, 1949. Later, on January 26, 1950, the Indian Constitution went into effect. The Dominion of India became the Republic of India when the Constitution of India took the place of the Government of India Act 1935 as the primary law governing the nation. The Indian Constitution is the country’s highest law. Every year, India celebrates its Republic Day on January 26.

1951: India’s First Five-year Plan was launched

In 1951, Jawaharlal Nehru, our first prime minister, gave the First Five-Year Plan to the Indian Parliament. The Harrod-Domar model, with a few modifications, served as the foundation for the First Five-Year Plan, which concentrated primarily on the growth of the primary sector. Agricultural growth served as the first five-year plan’s guiding principle. The major goal was to find solutions to the various issues that the nation’s division had created. The objective of this strategy was to rebuild the nation once it gained independence.

1952: India witnessed the first Lok Sabha Election

India held general elections from October 25, 1951, to February 21, 1952. These were the first Lok Sabha elections held following the country’s independence in August 1947. On May 13, 1952, this Lok Sabha’s first session officially opened. There were 489 seats in the Lok Sabha overall, and 17.3 crore people were eligible to vote. 364 seats were won by the Indian National Congress (INC). The first Lok Sabha was dissolved on April 4, 1957, after serving its entire five-year term. Jawaharlal Nehru became India’s first prime minister to be chosen democratically.

1953: Air India was nationalized

Nine airlines—Air India, Air Services of India, Airways (India), Bharat Airways, Deccan Airways, Himalayan Aviation, Indian National Airways, Kalinga Airlines, and Air India International—were nationalised by Nehru under the Air Corporations Act of 1953 and placed under the control of two PSEs, Indian Airlines and Air India International.

1954: India and China signed the Panchsheel

In the Agreement on Trade and Intercourse between the Tibet region of China and India signed on April 29, 1954, the two governments first formally stated the Panchsheel, or Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, stating in its preamble that they “have resolved to enter into the present Agreement based on the following principles: –

• Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,
• Mutual non-aggression,
• Mutual non-interference,
• Equality and mutual benefit, and
• Peaceful co-existence.”

1955: State Bank of India (SBI) was founded

The State Bank of India was established on July 1st, 1955. In 1955, the Indian government nationalised the Imperial Bank of India, changing the bank’s name to State Bank of India and giving the Reserve Bank of India a 60% ownership interest.

1957: The decimalization of the rupee

On April 1, 1957, ten years after gaining independence from the British, Indian coins became decimal. In September 1955, the Indian Coinage Act was revised to include the decimal system.  A circular from the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India stated, “Government accounting with effect from April 1, 1957 is to be maintained in terms of rupees and naye paise instead of rupees, annas, and pies,” in April 1956, after the modified Act became law. Therefore, all challans supporting funds submitted for payment of government dues must be represented in the new coinage. All withdrawal bills must be specified in terms of rupees and naye paise as well.

1960: Green Revolution Began

Norman Borlaug started the Green Revolution movement in the 1960s. He is referred to as the “Father of the Green Revolution” globally. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 as a result of his work creating high-yielding wheat varieties (HYVs).

1961: Liberation of Goa

The Republic of India’s process of annexing Estado da India, the former Portuguese Indian territory of Goa, Daman, and Diu, known as the Annexation of Goa, began with an armed intervention by the Indian Armed Forces in December 1961. This event is known as the “Liberation of Goa” in India.

1962: India-China War

In October and November of 1962, China and India fought a war known as the Sino-Indian War. The conflict was mostly sparked by a contested Himalayan border. On November 20, 1962, China announced a cease-fire and its withdrawal to its alleged “Line of Actual Control,” which marked the end of the war”.

1963: India’s first-ever rocket launch

The launch of the first sounding rocket from Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 21 November 1963, marked the beginning of the Indian Space Programme. Sounding rockets made it possible to probe the atmosphere in situ using rocket-borne instrumentation. This was the first milestone in modern India’s space odyssey. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and his then accomplice Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam were the brainchild of this achievement.

1965: Indo-Pakistani War

The Second Kashmir War, also known as the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, was the result of clashes between Pakistan and India between April 1965 and September 1965. Operation Gibraltar, a Pakistani operation intended to infiltrate troops into Jammu and Kashmir and spark an uprising against Indian sovereignty, was the direct cause of the conflict and brought it to a head. Indian troops crossed the line of the cease-fire on 15 August. The United Nations Security Council unanimously approved a resolution on September 20 calling for a 48-hour unconditional ceasefire between the two countries. Pakistan accepted the demand on September 23 while India did so right away.

1966: Indira Gandi Became First Female PM of India

Following Shastri’s unexpected passing in January 1966, Indira Gandhi was appointed Congress Party leader and subsequently became prime minister as part of a deal between the party’s right and left wings. However, the right wing of the party, led by the former minister of finance Morarji Desai, consistently opposed her leadership.

1969: Formation of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

In order to advance planetary exploration and space science research while advancing national development, ISRO was established in 1969. The Indian space program’s founding fathers, scientist Vikram Sarabhai and India’s first prime minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, who founded INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research) in 1962, are credited with creating ISRO, which succeeded INCOSPAR.

1970: White Revolution Began

Operation Flood, the largest dairy development programme ever initiated on January 13th, 1970, was an important undertaking for India’s National Dairy Development Board.

1971: India-Pakistan War

The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan that took place in East Pakistan from 3 December 1971 till Dacca (Dhaka) fell on 16 December 1971 as part of the Bangladesh Liberation War.

1975: The Emergency was imposed

India’s “Emergency” was a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 during which Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed a national state of emergency. The Emergency was formally declared by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed under Article 352 of the Constitution as a result of the ongoing “internal disturbance” and lasted from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977, when it was lifted. The majority of Indira Gandhi’s political rivals were put behind bars, elections were annulled, civil freedoms were suspended, and the press was restricted. During that time, many human rights were broken. One of the most contentious eras in independent India’s history is the Emergency.

1982: Colour television began its journey in India

When it began airing national programming in 1982, DD officially became a national broadcaster. Colour TVs were released in Indian markets the same year. The first colour television broadcast was the Independence Day parade on August 15, 1982, which was followed by the Asian Games in Delhi.

1983: India won the cricket World Cup for the first time

The Indian Cricket Team made history on June 25, 1983, when it defeated the two-time defending champion West Indies to win the World Cup. The turning point in cricket history is widely regarded as being India’s victory in 1983. The 1983 World Cup was held in England’s Lord’s Stadium. India reached the World Cup Final for the first time, and the West Indies were competing in their third straight World Cup final.

1987: Goa became one of the States of India

Goa became a state on May 30, 1987, and was divided into North Goa and South Goa as a result (Daman and Diu got their own union territory). The first Chief Minister of Goa, Daman, and Diu is Dayanand Bandodkar. On May 30, 1987, Goa became the 25th state of India.

1988: The SEBI was established

The Government established the Securities and Exchange Board of India on April 12, 1988, as a non-statutory body to handle all issues pertaining to the growth and regulation of the securities market, investor protection, and to provide guidance to the Government on all of these issues.

1989: Agni Missile was successfully launched

Liberalisation, Privatisation, and Globalisation were the three pillars of the new economic strategy of 1991. A severe balance of payments crisis that occurred in the same year served as the immediate catalyst for India’s economic reforms in 1991. India’s balance of payments issue first showed signals in late 1990 when its foreign exchange reserves started to decline.

1995: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited was founded

On May 3, 1995, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was established in partnership by the governments of Delhi and India under the leadership of Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda[19].

1998: India conducted Pokhran-II tests

Twenty-four years after Pokhran-I, on May 11 and 13, 1998, the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) carried out five more nuclear tests at the Pokhran range, called “Pokhran-II.” Dr. R. Chidambaram, the Director of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), and Dr. Abdul Kalam, the Chief Scientific Advisor and Director of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), served as the principal coordinators for this test planning.

1999: Kargil War

The Kargil War, commonly referred to as the Kargil conflict, was an armed battle that took place between India and Pakistan in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir as well as other locations along the Line of Control from May to July 1999. By proclaiming victory over Pakistan in the Kargil war on July 26, 1999, India celebrated the successful conclusion of “Operation Vijay” and put an end to the three-month conflict along the Line of Control. Since then, the day has been recognised as “Kargil Vijay Diwas.”.

2000: Jharkhand became India’s 26th state

On November 15, 2000, Jharkhand was separated from Bihar’s 18 districts to form its own state. Later, six additional districts were created by rearranging the existing ones.

2007: First Woman President of India

Pratibha Patil, an Indian politician and attorney, presided over India as its first female president from 2007 until 2012.

2008: Chandrayaan-1 launched

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched Chandrayaan-1 on October 22, 2008, the nation’s first lunar probe under the Chandrayaan programme. India’s space programme received a big boost from the expedition as our nation created its own technologies to study the Moon.

2010: Education became a fundamental right of children

On August 4, 2009, the Indian Parliament passed the Right to Education Act (RTE), also known as the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act. In accordance with Article 21A of the Indian Constitution, it outlines the specifics of the significance of free and mandatory education for children in India between the ages of 6 and 14. India became one of the nations in the world to declare education to be a fundamental right when the Act went into effect on April 1, 2010.

2015: NITI Aayog was formed

The NITI Aayog, the country’s top public policy think tank and the nodal organisation charged with fostering cooperative federalism and accelerating economic development by involving state governments in the formulation of economic policy, was established on January 1, 2015.

2017: GST was launched by the Indian government

The GST, or Goods and Services Tax, was introduced by the Indian government and President of India at midnight on July 1, 2017. It was commemorated by a historic midnight session of both Houses of Parliament (June 30-July 1), which met in the Central Hall and was attended by prominent figures from the business and entertainment industries.

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic and India’s lockdown

India experienced the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020, and as a result of the ensuing lockdown, residents were confined to their houses. The story of lockdown started on the evening of March 24, 2020, when the Indian government imposed a 21-day statewide lockdown, restricting the movement of the whole populace in an effort to stop the pandemic from spreading. It came following a 14-hour voluntary public curfew on March 22 and the implementation of a number of rules in the areas of the nation affected by COVID-19.

2022: India gets its first tribal President

On July 25, 2022, Draupadi Murmu took the oath of office as India’s fifteenth president. She ran against Yashwant Sinha, the candidate for the top constitutional position put up by the unified opposition. Tribal leader Draupadi Murmu hails from Rairangpur in the Odisha district of Mayurbhanj.

Important Facts on India’s Achievement after Independence

Below is a brief list of some of India’s notable post-independence accomplishments:

• The Indian Railways were founded in the year 1951.
• With over 7000 stations, India’s rail system is the largest and busiest in the world.
• India had its first general election in 1951.
• The Apsara nuclear reactor, which was created in 1956, was Asia’s first nuclear reactor.
• On the moon, Chandrayaan 1 was established in 2008.
• Sir M Visvesvaraya, the pioneer of Indian economic planning, contributed to the development of the most effective form of the Indian economy.

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India's achievements after 75 years of Independence FAQs

What did india achieved after 75 years of independence.

In 1974, India conducted “Smiling Buddha”, its first nuclear test, making its place on the list of five nuclear-powered nations. This is one of the biggest achievements of India since 1947. Today, India has the 2nd largest military force and largest voluntary army in the world.

What we achieved in 75 years?

In the last seven-and-a-half decades, India achieved remarkable development in agriculture, heavy industry, irrigation, energy production, nuclear power capability, space technology, biotechnology, telecommunication, oceanography and science education and research.

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• India Independence Day Essay in English: Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav 2023

Short Essay on Independence Day - The Day India Became Independent

The day of 15th August 1947 has been embossed in the golden history of India. It is the day when India got its freedom from 200 years of British rule. It was a hard and long struggle in which many freedom fighters and great men sacrificed their lives for our beloved motherland.

India celebrates its Independence Day on the 15th of August every year. However, this year, the auspicious day is being celebrated as ‘77 Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav 2023’. Independence Day, called the Red-Letter Day in the history of our country, is celebrated as a national holiday throughout India.

Independence Day 2023 helps us remember every one of the penances our political dissidents made to liberate India from British rule. On 15th August 1947, India was announced free from British imperialism and turned into the biggest vote-based system, the largest democracy in the world.

In this essay on Independence Day, students can track down every one of the significant subtleties of India's Independence history. They can allude to it for their exam preparation as papers are generally asked in the CBSE English paper. Additionally, they can utilise this article as study material for the Independence Day essay for kids during the exam.

Essay on Independence Day 2023

15th August is commended as a public celebration with flag hoisting, marches, and social works. Schools, universities, workplaces, society buildings, government, and private associations celebrate this day beautifully. On this day, the Prime Minister of India hoists the National Flag at the Red Fort and addresses the country with a speech. Doordarshan communicates the whole occasion in real-time on TV.

History of Independence Day

In 1947, on 15th August, India became independent. We won freedom from British Raj after a hard struggle. On this day at the stroke of midnight, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, our first Prime Minister, unfurled the National Flag at the Red Fort for the first time. It marked the end of the 200 years old British reign in India. We now breathe air in a free and sovereign nation.

The British have governed India for about 200 years. Under British colonisation, the life of every Indian was dismal and full of struggle. Indians were treated as slaves and had no freedom of speech. Indian rulers were puppets in the possession of British officers. Indian fighters were dealt with cruelty in British camps, and farmers were starving as they couldn't grow crops and needed to pay substantial land taxes.

On this special occasion, the people of India remember the selfless sacrifices and unparalleled contributions of great men and women to achieve the independence of India. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Sardar Patel, and Gopalbandhu Das are paid reverent homage by one and all in the country.

Great Indian Freedom Fighters

India couldn't have acquired independence without the efforts of numerous extraordinary freedom fighters. Bhagat Singh, Rani of Jhansi, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Subhas Chandra Bose, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Ram Prasad Bismil, and Ashfaqulla Khan are some of the notable names.

Role of Women in India's Independence

Several women have played a significant part in the Indian freedom movement. Savitribai Phule, Mahadevi Verma, Capt Laxmi Sehgal, Rani Laxmibai, and Basanti Devi are just a few crucial names to remember. These women along with many others played a prominent role in leading India towards its independence.

The ‘Good’ British Rulers in India

Not all the British were awful; many started adoring India and did incredible things for it. Some even took part in the Indian Independence struggle. Some of the good British rulers include Warren Hastings who developed court reforms; Freda Bedi who supported Indian nationalism; Allan Octavian Hume who started the Indian National Congress, etc.

Why Do We Celebrate Indian Independence Day?

India accomplished freedom following a 200-year-long battle. India gained complete independence from the British on 15th August 1947. That is why the day holds importance in the heart of each Indian citizen either living in India or abroad. India is celebrating 77 years of freedom on 15th August 2023 as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. This day also helps us remember the struggles of freedom fighters and the lives sacrificed in attaining independence.

The struggle that our freedom fighters have gone through shows us that the freedom we appreciate today has been attained by shedding the blood of hundreds of individuals. It stirs patriotism inside each Indian. It makes the current generation understand the struggles of individuals around them and familiarise themselves with the freedom fighters of India.

Importance of Independence Day Essay

Independence day is a positive historical event for the country since we were free from British rule on this day. It unites diverse individuals all over the country. Unity in diversity is the fundamental path and strength of India. We feel pleased to be a part of the biggest majority-rule country on the planet, where we live in a democracy.

Independence Day is an important day in the life of every Indian citizen. Year after year, it reminds us of our great freedom fighters who sacrificed and struggled their lives in order to free our Motherland from British rule. It reminds us of the great paragons, which were the foundation of the dream of a free India, envisioned and realised by the founding fathers.

Activities on Independence Day

Independence Day is celebrated with great joy across the country. People hold meetings, fly the tricolour flag, and sing the National Anthem. There is great enthusiasm among all. In the national capital, Delhi, this day is celebrated with great pomp and show. All leaders and common people gather in large numbers on the parade ground in front of the Red Fort and eagerly wait for the arrival of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister then  hoists the National Flag and makes a speech that focuses on the achievements of the government during the past year, mentions the issues that still need to be addressed, and calls upon further developmental efforts. Foreign dignitaries are also invited to this occasion.

Tributes are paid to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle. The Indian National Anthem – “Jana Gana Mana” is sung. The parade by the Indian Army and the Paramilitary forces is followed by the speech. All state capitals hold events on similar lines with the Chief Minister of the respective states unfurling the National Flag.

Independence Day is observed with great honour at all the government and private institutions, schools, and colleges. Students take part in parades and sing the National Anthem before hoisting the National Flag. Some historical buildings are specially decorated with lights depicting the independence theme. Special programs like planting trees are taken up on this day. The young minds are infused with a sense of patriotism and nationalistic feelings. To celebrate this occasion, sports and cultural competitions are conducted, and prizes are awarded to the winners. Sweets are distributed among everyone. Patriotic songs can be heard at every street corner.

Another interesting feature of the celebration is the kite-flying event that is held all over the country with great zeal. The sky on this day is filled with kites of various colours, shapes, and sizes.

Even television channels and radio programs are charged up with patriotism. The channels telecast movies and documentaries based on patriotic themes in order to let the people and children know about various incidents of our freedom struggle and to inspire a love for our motherland. All the national newspapers also print special editions and cite inspirational stories and excerpts of the life of great men from the great books written about them.

Quotes on Indian Independence Day

"Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge." - Jawaharlal Nehru

"The best road to progress is freedom's road." - Mahatma Gandhi

"India is, the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great-grandmother of tradition." - Mark Twain

"We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made." - Albert Einstein

Indian Independence Day 2023 is a national occasion and celebrated as a national holiday on which all shops, workplaces, schools and universities remain closed. This day is a token to the freedom fighters and patriots who sacrificed their lives so we could experience and live in a free land. The tricolour is hoisted in schools and other institutions on this day.

A wind of patriotism and national integration blows across the country on this day. The country is celebrating 77 Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav as it completes 76 years of independence to remind the citizens of the sacrifices made by our forefathers. Through Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India will commemorate its past this Independence Day and will also lay plans for the future. It is now in the hands of India’s youth to shape and form the future of our country.

FAQs on India Independence Day Essay in English: Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav 2023

1. Name a few important freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the independence of our motherland.

Some of the great freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Ballabh Patel, Bhagat Singh, Maulana Kalam Azad, etc. were at the forefront of the freedom struggle.

2. What is the importance of Independence Day?

Independence Day is the day when all Indians remember the struggle of the eminent leaders to get freedom from the 200 years of British rule. They went through a long and very hard struggle. Many people sacrificed their lives to give us independence. So we pay tribute to all those freedom fighters and take an oath to carry on the legacy for a better country in the future.

3. Why is Independence Day called a Red-Letter Day?

Independence Day is called a Red-Letter Day because it is a special occasion when India got freedom from the hands of the British who ruled our country for over 200 years.

4. How do schools and colleges celebrate this day?

Most schools and colleges celebrate this day with great pomp and show. They hoist the National Flag and sing the National Anthem. The students conduct various cultural programs. They perform small skits based on the patriotic theme. Sports events are also conducted in many institutions, and awards are given to the winners. Many schools also conduct drawing competitions where the students are expected to draw something based on the theme of independence. Sweets are distributed among the students and the staff of the schools and colleges. 

5. Which day is Independence Day in 1947?

India gained independence from the British on 15 August 1947.

6. Who declared freedom for India?

Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, declared India's independence on 15 August 1947.

Essay on Independence Day (15 August) for Students and Children

500+ words essay on independence day.

One of the most memorable days in Indian history is 15th August. It’s the day on which the Indian sub-continent got independence after a long struggle. India only has three national festivals that are celebrated by the whole nation as one. One being the Independence Day (15th August) and the other two being Republic Day (26th January) and Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October). After independence, India became the largest democracy in the world. We fought very hard to get our independence from the Britishers. In this essay on Independence Day, we are going to discuss the history and importance of Independence Day.

History of Our Independence Day

For almost two centuries the Britishers ruled over us. And the citizen of the country suffered a lot due to these oppressors. British officials treat us like slaves until we manage to fight back against them.

We struggled for our independence but work tirelessly and selflessly under the guidance of our leaders Jawahar Lal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi , Chandra Shekhar Azad, and Bhagat Singh. Some of these leaders choose the path of violence while some choose non-violence. But the ultimate aim of these was to drive out the Britishers from the country. And on 15th August 1947, the long-awaited dream come true.

Why We Celebrate Independence Day?

To relive the moment and to enjoy the spirit of freedom and independence we celebrate Independence Day. Another reason is to remember the sacrifices and lives we have lost in this struggle. Besides, we celebrated it to remind us that this freedom that we enjoy is earned the hard way.

Apart from that, the celebration wakes up the patriot inside us. Along with celebration, the young generation is acquainted with the struggles of the people who lived at that time.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Activities on Independence Day

Although it’s a national holiday the people of the country celebrate it with great enthusiasm. Schools, offices, societies, and colleges celebrate this day by organizing various small and big events.

Every year at Red Fort the Prime Minister of India host the national flag. In the honor of the occasion, 21 gunshots are fired. This is the begging of the main event. This event is later on followed by an army parade.

The school and colleges organize cultural events, fancy dress competitions, speech, debate, and quiz competition.

Importance of Independence Day

Every Indian holds a different viewpoint about Indian Independence. For some, it’s a reminder of the long struggle while for youngsters it stands for the glory and honor of the country. Above all, we can see the feeling of patriotism across the country.

The Indian’s celebrate Independence Day with a feeling of nationalism and patriotism across the country. On this day every citizen echoes with festive feeling and pride in the diversity and unity of the people. It’s not only a celebration of Independence but also of the unity in diversity of the country.

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Essay: The New Idea of India

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The New Idea of India

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Narendra Modi’s reign is producing a less liberal but more assured nation.

• Foreign & Public Diplomacy
• Geopolitics
• Ravi Agrawal

This article appears in the Spring 2024 print issue of FP. Read more from the issue.

This article appears in the Spring 2024 issue of Foreign Policy. Subscribe now to read every story from the issue.

From the middle of April until early June, staggered over the course of several weeks, the world’s biggest election will take place. More than 960 million Indians—out of a population of 1.4 billion—are eligible to vote in parliamentary elections that polls strongly suggest will return Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power for a third consecutive term.

Modi is probably the world’s most popular leader. According to a recent Morning Consult poll , 78 percent of Indians approve of his leadership. (The next three highest-ranked leaders, from Mexico, Argentina, and Switzerland, generate approval ratings of 63, 62, and 56 percent, respectively.) It is not hard to see why Modi is admired. He is a charismatic leader, a masterful orator in Hindi, and widely perceived as hard-working and committed to the country’s success. He is regarded as unlikely to turn to nepotism or corruption, often attributed to the fact that he is a 73-year-old man without a partner or children. Modi has few genuine competitors. His power within his party is absolute, and his opponents are fractured, weak, and dynastic—a quality usually equated with graft. Whether it is through maximizing his opportunity to host the G-20 or through his high-profile visits abroad, Modi has expanded India’s presence on the world stage and, with it, his own popularity. New Delhi is also becoming more assertive in its foreign policy, prioritizing self-interest over ideology and morality—another choice that is not without considerable domestic appeal.

Modi’s success can confuse his detractors. After all, he has increasingly authoritarian tendencies: Modi only rarely attends press conferences, has stopped sitting down for interviews with the few remaining journalists who would ask him difficult questions, and has largely sidestepped parliamentary debate. He has centralized power and built a cult of personality while weakening India’s system of federalism. Under his leadership, the country’s Hindu majority has become dominant. This salience of one religion can have ugly impacts, harming minority groups and calling into question the country’s commitment to secularism. Key pillars of democracy, such as a free press and an independent judiciary, have been eroded.

Yet Modi wins—democratically. The political scientist Sunil Khilnani argued in his 1997 book, The Idea of India , that it was democracy, rather than culture or religion, that shaped what was then a 50-year-old country. The primary embodiment of this idea, according to Khilnani, was India’s first prime minister, the anglicized, University of Cambridge-educated Jawaharlal Nehru, who went by the nickname “Joe” into his 20s. Nehru believed in a vision of a liberal, secular country that would serve as a contrast to Pakistan, which was formed explicitly as a Muslim homeland. Modi is, in many ways, Nehru’s opposite. Born into a lower-caste, lower-middle-class family, the current prime minister’s formative education came from years of traveling around the country as a Hindu community organizer, sleeping in ordinary people’s homes and building an understanding of their collective frustrations and aspirations. Modi’s idea of India, while premised on electoral democracy and welfarism, is substantially different from Nehru’s. It centers culture and religion in the state’s affairs; it defines nationhood through Hinduism; and it believes a powerful chief executive is preferable to a liberal one, even if that means the curtailment of individual rights and civil liberties. This alternative vision—a form of illiberal democracy—is an increasingly winning proposition for Modi and his BJP.

Hindus represent 80 percent of India’s population. The BJP courts this mega-majority by making them feel proud of their religion and culture. Sometimes, it aids this project by stirring up resentment of the country’s 200 million Muslims, who form 14 percent of the population. The BJP also attempts to further a version of history that interprets Hindus as victimized by successive hordes of invaders. Hindus hardly comprise a monolith, divided as they are by caste and language, but the BJP requires only half their support to win national elections. In 2014, it secured 31 percent of the national vote to gain a majority of seats in Parliament—the first time in three decades a single party had done so. It did even better in 2019, with 37 percent of the vote.

An illiberal, Hindi-dominated, and Hindu-first nation is emerging, and it is challenging—even eclipsing—other ideas of India, including Jawaharlal Nehru’s.

At least some part of the BJP’s success can be attributed to Modi’s name recognition and tireless performances on the campaign trail. But focusing too much on one man can be a distraction from understanding India’s trajectory. Even though Modi has acquired a greater concentration of power than any Indian leader in a generation, his core religious agenda has long been telegraphed by his party, as well as by its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu social society and paramilitary group that counts more than 5 million members. While Modi has been the primary face of the BJP since 2014, the party itself has existed in its current form since 1980. (The RSS, to which Modi traces his true ideological roots, is even older. It will mark its 100th anniversary next year.) The BJP’s vision—its idea of India—is hardly new or hidden. It is clearly described in its election manifestos and, combined with Modi’s salesmanship, is increasingly successful at the ballot box.

Put another way, while India’s current political moment has much to do with supply—in the form of a once-in-a-generation leader and few convincing alternatives—it may also have something to do with shifting demand. The success of the BJP’s political project reveals a clearer picture of what India is becoming. Nearly half the country’s population is under the age of 25. Many of these young Indians are looking to assert a new cultural and social vision of nationhood. An illiberal, Hindi-dominated, and Hindu-first nation is emerging, and it is challenging—even eclipsing—other ideas of India, including Nehru’s. This has profound impacts for both domestic and foreign policy. The sooner India’s would-be partners and rivals realize this, the better they will be able to manage New Delhi’s growing global clout. “The Nehruvian idea of India is dead,” said Vinay Sitapati, the author of India Before Modi . “Something is definitely lost. But the question is whether that idea was alien to India in the first place.”

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Indians bristle at reports of how their country has fallen in recent years on key markers of the health of its civil society. It is nonetheless worth contending with those assessments. According to Reporters Without Borders, India ranked 161st out of 180 countries for press freedom in 2023, down from 80th out of 139 countries in 2002. Freedom House, which measures democracy around the world, marked India as only “partly free” in its 2024 report, with Indian-administered Kashmir receiving a “not free” designation. Only a handful of countries and territories, such as Russia and Hong Kong, experienced a greater decline in freedom over the last decade than India. The World Economic Forum’s 2023 Global Gender Gap Index ranks India 127th out of 146 countries. The World Justice Project ranks India 79th out of 142 countries for adherence to the rule of law, down from 59th in 2015. As one legal scholar wrote in Scroll.in , the judiciary has “placed its enormous arsenal at the government’s disposal in pursuit of its radical majoritarian agenda.” Consider, as well, access to the web: India has administered more internet shutdowns than any country in the last decade, even more than Iran and Myanmar.

The social indicator that worries observers of India the most is religious freedom. Troubles between Hindus and Muslims are not new. But in its decade in power, Modi’s BJP has been remarkably successful in furthering its Hindu-first agenda through legislation. It has done so by revoking the semi-autonomous status of majority-Muslim Kashmir in 2019 and later that year—an election year—passing an immigration law that fast-tracked citizenship for non-Muslims from three neighboring countries, each of which has a large Muslim majority. (The law, which makes it more difficult for Indian Muslims to prove their citizenship, was implemented in March. The timing of this announcement seemed to highlight its electoral benefits.)

Perhaps more damaging than these legislative maneuvers has been the Modi administration’s silence, and often its dog whistles of encouragement, amid an increasingly menacing climate for Indian Muslims. While Nehru’s emphasis on secularism once imposed implicit rules in the public sphere, Hindus can now question Muslims’ loyalty to India with relative impunity. Hindu supremacy has become the norm; critics are branded “anti-national.” This dominance culminated on Jan. 22, when Modi consecrated a giant temple to the Hindu god Ram in the northern Indian city of Ayodhya. The temple, which cost $250 million to build, was constructed on the site of a mosque that was demolished by a Hindu mob in 1992. When that happened three decades ago, top BJP leaders recoiled from the violence they had unleashed. Today, that embarrassment has morphed into an expression of national pride. “It is the beginning of a new era,” said Modi, adorned in a Hindu priest’s garb at the temple’s opening, in front of an audience of top Bollywood stars and the country’s business elite.

“The BJP’s dominance is primarily demand-driven,” Sitapati said. “Progressives are in denial about this.”

Modi’s vision of what it means to be Indian is at least partly borne out in public opinion. When the Pew Research Center conducted a major survey of religion in India between late 2019 and early 2020, it found that 64 percent of Hindus believed being Hindu was very important to being “truly Indian,” while 59 percent said speaking Hindi was similarly foundational in defining Indianness; 84 percent considered religion to be “very important” in their lives; and 59 percent prayed daily. “The BJP’s dominance is primarily demand-driven,” said Sitapati, who also teaches law and politics at Shiv Nadar University Chennai. “Progressives are in denial about this.”

Sitapati has critics on the left who claim his scholarship underplays the militant roots of the BJP and RSS, helping to rehabilitate their image. But on the question of demand and supply: The BJP’s dominance is limited to the country’s north, where most people speak Hindi. In the wealthier south, where tech firms are flourishing, literacy rates are higher, and most people speak languages such as Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam, the BJP is decidedly less popular. Southern leaders harbor a growing resentment that their taxes are subsidizing the Hindi Belt in the north. This geographic cleavage could come to a head in 2026, when a national process of redistricting is expected to take place. Opposition leaders fear the BJP could redraw parliamentary constituencies to its advantage. If the BJP succeeds, it could continue winning at the polls long beyond Modi’s time.

Despite all this, Sitapati contends that the country remains democratic: “Political participation is higher than ever. Elections are free and fair. The BJP regularly loses state elections. If your definition of democracy is focused on the sanctity of elections and the substance of policies, then democracy is thriving.” In Indian society, he said, culture is not centered on liberalism and individual rights; Modi’s rise must be viewed within that context.

Liberal Indians who might disagree are vanishing from the public eye. One clear exception is the Booker Prize-winning novelist Arundhati Roy. Speaking in Lausanne, Switzerland, last September, she described an India descending into fascism . The ruling BJP’s “message of Hindu supremacism has relentlessly been disseminated to a population of 1.4 billion people,” Roy said. “Consequently, elections are a season of murder, lynching, and dog-whistling. … It is no longer just our leaders we must fear but a whole section of the population.”

Is the mobilization of more than a billion Hindus a form of tyranny of the majority? Not quite, says Pratap Bhanu Mehta, an Indian political scientist who teaches at Princeton University. “Hindu nationalists will say that theirs is a classic nation-building project,” he said, underscoring how independent India is still a young country. Populism, too, is an unsatisfying term for describing Modi’s politics. Even though he plays up his modest background, he is hardly anti-elitist and in fact frequently courts top Indian and global business leaders to invest in the country. Sometimes, they directly finance Modi’s success: A 2017 provision for electoral bonds brought in more than $600 million in anonymous donations to the BJP. The Supreme Court scrapped the scheme in March, calling it “unconstitutional,” but the ruling is likely too late to have prevented the influence of big donors in this year’s election.

Mukul Kesavan, a historian based in New Delhi, argues that it would be more accurate to describe the BJP’s agenda as majoritarianism. “Majoritarianism just needs a minority to mobilize against—a hatred of the internal other,” he said. “India is at the vanguard of this. There is no one else doing what we are doing. I am continually astonished that the West doesn’t see this.”

What the West also doesn’t always see is that Modi is substantially different from strongmen such as Donald Trump in the United States. While Trump propagated an ideology that eclipsed that of the Republican Party, Modi is fulfilling the RSS’s century-old movement to equate Indianness more closely with Hinduism. Surveys and elections both reveal this movement’s time has come.

“People aren’t blinkered. They’re willing to accept trade-offs,” said Mehta, explaining how growing numbers of Indians have accepted the BJP’s premise of a Hindu state, even if there are elements of that project that make them uncomfortable. “They don’t think the majoritarian agenda presents a deal-breaker.” For now, at least. A key question is what happens when majoritarianism provokes something that challenges public acceptance of this trade-off. The greatest risk here lies in a potential surge of communal violence, the likes of which have pockmarked Indian history. In 2002, for example, 58 Hindu pilgrims were killed in Godhra, in the western state of Gujarat, after a train that was returning from Ayodhya caught fire. Modi, then chief minister of Gujarat, declared the incident an act of terrorism. After rumors circulated that Muslims were responsible for the fire, a mob embarked on three days of violence in the state, killing more than a thousand people. An overwhelming majority of the dead were Muslim. Modi has never been convicted of any involvement, but the tragedy has followed him in ways both damaging and to his advantage. Liberal Indians were horrified that he didn’t do more to stop the violence, but the message for a substantial number of Hindus was that he would stop at nothing to protect them.

Twenty-two years later, Modi is a mainstream leader catering to a national constituency that is much more diverse than that of Gujarat. While the riots once loomed large in his biography, Indians now see them as just one part of a complicated career in the public eye. What is unknown is how they might react to another mass outbreak of communal violence and whether civil society retains the muscle to rein in the worst excesses of its people. Optimists will point out that India has been through tough moments and emerged stronger. When Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency in 1975, giving her the license to rule by decree, voters kicked her out of power the first chance they got. Modi, however, has a stronger grip on the country—and he continues to expand his powers while winning at the ballot box.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets a crowd in Varanasi, India, on March 4, 2022. Ritesh Shukla/Getty Images

Just as citizens can’t subsist purely on the ideals of secularism and liberalism, it’s the same with nationalism and majoritarianism. In the end, the state must deliver. Here, Modi’s record is mixed. “Modi sees Japan as a model—modern in an industrial sense without being Western in a cultural sense,” Sitapati said. “He has delivered on an ideological project that is Hindu revivalism mixed with industrialization.”

India is undertaking a vast national project of state-building under Modi. Since 2014, spending on transport has more than tripled as a share of GDP. India is currently building more than 6,000 miles of highways a year and has doubled the length of its rural road network since 2014. In 2022, capitalizing on a red-hot aviation market, New Delhi privatized its creaky national carrier, Air India. India has twice as many airports today than it did a decade ago, with domestic passengers more than doubling in quantity to top 200 million. Its middle classes are spending more money: Average monthly per capita consumption expenditure in urban areas rose by 146 percent in the last decade. Meanwhile, India is whittling down its infamous bureaucratic hurdles to become an easier place for industry. According to the World Bank’s annual Doing Business report, India rose from a rank of 134th in 2014 to 63rd in 2020. Investors seem bullish. The country’s main stock index, the BSE Sensex, has increased in value by 250 percent in the last decade.

Strongmen are usually more popular among men than women. It is a strange paradox, then, that the BJP won a record number of votes by women in the 2019 national election and is projected to do so again in 2024, as voter participation , and voting by women, continues to climb. Modi has targeted female voters through the canny deployment of services that make domestic life easier. Rural access to piped water, for example, has climbed to more than 75 percent from just 16.8 percent in 2019. Modi declared India free of open defecation in 2019 after a campaign to build more than 110 million toilets. And according to the International Energy Agency, 45 percent of India’s electricity transmission lines have been installed in the last decade.

The most transformative force in the country is the ongoing proliferation of the internet, as I wrote in my 2018 book, India Connected . Just as the invention of the car more than a century ago shaped modern America, with the corresponding building out of the interstate system and suburbia, cheap smartphones have enabled Indians to partake in a burgeoning digital ecosystem. Though it didn’t have much to do with the smartphone and internet boom, the government has capitalized on it. India’s Unified Payments Interface, a government-run instant payment system, now accounts for three-fourths of all non-cash retail transactions in the country. With the help of digital banking and a new national biometric identification system, New Delhi has been able to sidestep corruption by directly transferring subsidies to citizens, saving billions of dollars in wastage.

Modi is projecting an image of a more powerful, muscular, prideful nation—and Indians are in thrall to the self-portrait.

The private sector has been a willing participant in India’s new digital and physical economy. But it has also been strangely leery of investing more, as two leading economists describe in this issue. Businesses remain concerned that Modi has a cabal of preferred partners in his plans for industrialization—for example, he is seen as too cozy with the country’s two richest men, Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, both of whom hail from his native state of Gujarat. Fears abound that New Delhi’s history of retroactive taxation and protectionism could blow up the best laid corporate plans.

Because he has corralled great power, when Modi missteps, the consequences tend to be enormous. In 2016, he suddenly announced a process of demonetization, recalling high-value notes of currency as legal tender. While the move attempted to reduce corruption by outing people with large amounts of untaxed income, it was in fact a stunt that reduced India’s growth by nearly 2 percentage points. Similarly, panicked by the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, Modi announced a sudden national lockdown, leading to millions of migrant workers racing home—and likely spreading the virus. A year later, New Delhi largely stood by when the delta variant of COVID-19 surged through the country, killing untold thousands of Indians. No amount of nationalism or pride could cover up for the fact that, on that occasion, the state had let its people down.

Now, with a population hungry for good news, India is looking to take advantage of the best foreign-policy deals. There are plenty to be struck in a shifting global order. The United States’ power is in relative decline, China’s has risen, and a range of so-called middle powers are looking to benchmark their status. Modi is projecting an image of a more powerful, muscular, prideful nation—and Indians are in thrall to the self-portrait.

Modi is seen through a video camera as he speaks at the final session of the G-20 summit in New Delhi on Sept. 10, 2023. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

One window into India’s newfound status on the world stage came last September, after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the stunning announcement that Ottawa was investigating “credible allegations” that Indian government agents had orchestrated the murder of a Sikh community leader in British Columbia. New Delhi flatly denied his accusations, calling them “absurd.” The person who was killed, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, had sought to establish a nation called Khalistan, carved out of territory in his native Punjab, a state in northwestern India. In 2020, New Delhi declared Nijjar a terrorist.

A Canadian leader publicly accusing India of a murder on Canadian soil could have been a major embarrassment for Modi. Instead, the incident galvanized his supporters. The national mood seemed to agree with the government line that New Delhi didn’t do it but with an important subtext: If it did, it did the right thing.

“It’s this idea that ‘We have arrived. Now we can talk on equal terms to the white man,’” Sitapati said. It’s not just revisionism to examine how colonial powers masterminded the plunder of India’s land and resources; even the word “loot” is stolen from Hindi, as the writer and parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor has pointed out. The BJP’s project of nation-building attempts to reinstill a sense of self-pride, often by painting Hindus as the victims of centuries of wrongs but who have now awoken to claim their true status. This is why the Jan. 22 opening of the Ram temple took on epic significance, reviving among Hindus a sense that they were rightfully claiming the primacy they once enjoyed.

The flashier the stage, the better. For much of 2023, India flaunted its hosting of the G-20, a rotating presidency that most other countries see as perfunctory. For Modi, it became a marketing machine, with giant billboards advertising New Delhi’s pride in playing host (always alongside a portrait of the prime minister). When the summit began in September, TV channels dutifully carried key parts live, showing Modi welcoming a series of top world leaders.

Weeks earlier, Indians united around another celebratory moment. The country landed two robots on the moon, making it only the fourth country to do so and the first to reach the moon’s southern polar region. As TV channels ran a live broadcast of the landing, Modi beamed into mission control at the key moment of touchdown, his face on a split screen with the landing. The self-promotion can seem garish, but it feeds into a sense of collective accomplishment and national identity.

Also popular is New Delhi’s stance on Moscow, thumbing its nose at Western countries seeking to sanction Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. While Russia exported less than 1 percent of its crude to India before 2022, it now sends more than half of its supplies there. China and India are together purchasing 80 percent of Russia’s seaborne oil exports—and they do so at below-market rates because of a price cap imposed by the West. There is little consideration for morality, in part because Indians, like many in the global south, now widely perceive the West as applying double standards to world affairs. As a result, there’s no moral benchmark. For India, an advantageous oil deal is just that: good economics and smart politics. (India and Russia also share a historic friendship, which both sides are keen to continue.)

New Delhi’s growing foreign-policy assertiveness stems from a knowledge that it is increasingly needed by other countries. Allies seem aware of this new dynamic. For the United States, even if India doesn’t come to its aid in a potential tussle with China in the Taiwan Strait, merely preventing New Delhi from growing closer to Beijing represents a geopolitical win that papers over other disagreements. For other countries, access to India’s growing market is paramount. Despite the BJP’s hostility to Muslims, Modi receives a red-carpet welcome when he visits countries in the Persian Gulf.

India’s embrace of its strategic interests—and its confidence in articulating that choice—is of a piece with broader changes in how the country views itself. Modi and his BJP have succeeded in furthering an idea of India that makes a virtue of sacrificing Western liberalism for a homegrown sense of self-interest. By appealing to young people’s economic aspirations and their desire for identity in an increasingly interconnected world, the BJP has found room to advance a religious and cultural agenda that would have been unimaginable a generation ago. This vision cannot be purely top-down; the will of a nation evolves over time. In the future, there will likely be further contests among other ideas of India. But if Modi’s BJP continues to win at the ballot box, history may show that the country’s liberal experiment wasn’t just interrupted—it may have been an aberration.

Ravi Agrawal is the editor in chief of Foreign Policy . Twitter:  @RaviReports

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