As Prime Minister Narendra Modi approaches the record for India's longest-serving prime minister, currently held by Jawaharlal Nehru at 16 years and 286 days, a review of India's economic transformation over the past 12 years reveals significant growth and structural changes. According to verified data from the World Bank and India's Ministry of Statistics, India's GDP grew from approximately $1.9 trillion in 2014 to $3.7 trillion in 2025, making it the fifth-largest economy globally.
Key reforms under Modi's tenure include the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, and the 'Make in India' initiative aimed at boosting manufacturing. Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows rose from $45 billion in 2014-15 to $84 billion in 2023-24, as per government data. However, critics point to persistent challenges such as unemployment, which according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) stood at 8.1% in May 2026, and inflation that averaged 5.5% over the period.
Infrastructure development saw major strides, with the length of national highways increasing from 92,851 km in 2014 to over 145,000 km by 2025, and the number of airports rising from 74 to 157. The digital economy also expanded rapidly, with UPI transactions reaching 15 billion per month in 2025, up from near zero in 2016. These changes have contributed to India's rising global influence but also to debates over inequality and job creation.
