What steps must India take to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047?

Achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, marking the 100th year of India's independence, is a crucial objective for the Government of India. To attain this status, India must transition into a developed country and grow its GDP to at least $10 trillion. This can be accomplished by doubling India's share of international trade, increasing its global exports from the current 2% to 10%, and significantly boosting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from around $100 billion.

However, economic growth must be inclusive, benefiting the underprivileged and the bottom of the pyramid. The government has initiated schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, but job creation for the youth must become a national priority for both central and state governments. To do this, an ecosystem must be created that encourages entrepreneurship among the youth instead of merely job seekers.

The current education system heavily relies on rote learning, producing graduates who may not find immediate employment. Thus, skilling and re-skilling of graduates and fostering industry-academic collaboration to impart tech skills, including Artificial Intelligence, is essential. Investment in education should increase exponentially, particularly in states lagging behind the national average.

India's demographic dividend, a population close to 1.5 billion, offers immense potential for growth. However, this potential can only be realized if the population is skilled enough to thrive in a knowledge economy. Despite the progress made in healthcare, driven by digitalization and infrastructure expansion, challenges remain due to escalating medical costs and a growing chronic disease burden.

The Ayushman Bharat and Ayushman Arogya Mandir schemes have made a significant impact, but public spending on healthcare still falls short of desired levels.

India must continue its transformation of public health infrastructure to make it accessible, affordable, and quality-driven for its vast population. The National Health Mission is making commendable efforts, but it needs strengthening and streamlining. India should not follow the high-carbon pathway of developed countries or China's continued reliance on coal.

Instead, India has the unique opportunity to chart a low-carbon pathway to a high-income economy based on sustainable development, guided by the needs and rights of its people. The next twenty years will be crucial for India's history, necessitating a whole-of-government approach to ensure no stone is left unturned in this national endeavor.