12 years later, a stronger state, but a more contested republic

Twelve years after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, promising ‘minimum government, maximum governance’, India stands transformed. The transformation is real. Some of it is also troubling.
The economy is stronger. India grew by a remarkable 7.7% in 2025-26 despite Trump’s tariffs and the Iran war. It has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. The state is also more digitised and capable. The NDA govt did not invent many programmes transforming India but implemented them so well that they are now linked with Modi, who has surpassed Jawaharlal Nehru’s record as longest continuously serving elected PM.

Bank accounts for all, and Aadhaar were conceived of by the UPA. Rural electrification, rural roads, and sanitation all predated 2014. But under his govt, Aadhaar enrolment expanded from 65 crore to 140 crore, and Jan Dhan accounts from almost zero to 55 crore. Swachh Bharat built 11 crore toilets. Virtually every rural house now gets electricity.