India’s Sustainable Roadmap towards Viksit Bharat @ 2047 - An Inclusive SWOC Analysis

Abstract

The current study looks at the opportunities, imperfections and strengths that will help India progress toward becoming an advanced nation by 2047, i.e., Viksit Bharat. The study also identified the key challenges in achieving a Viksit Bharat by 2047. The paper highlights that a large and young population, a vibrant IT sector, and a rich cultural heritage are India’s key strengths. However, infrastructure gaps, poverty, and inequality pose significant weaknesses in Viksit Bharat by 2047. The paper also highlights that the improvement in key factors like technological advancements, globalisation, and a growing middle class were opening a door for India to compete and achieve success by 2047, but with few growing challenges such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, and global economic uncertainties severing India’s status quo to achieve developed state at 2047. India must prioritise equitable growth, better healthcare and education, sustainable infrastructure, mitigating the effects of climate change, and retraining technology. India stands at a pivotal juncture in its journey toward becoming a developed nation. With a population of over 1.4 billion and a median age of just 28 years, India holds a significant demographic advantage, often referred to as the “demographic dividend”. This young workforce presents immense potential for economic growth, particularly in sectors like technology, manufacturing, and services. India is already the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with over 50,000 startups and a rapidly growing digital economy, expected to reach $1 trillion by 2025. However, despite these advantages, India faces substantial challenges, including educational disparities, with over 70% of students in rural areas lacking access to quality education, and healthcare access issues, with about 60% of healthcare expenses being out-of-pocket. In addition, geopolitical tensions with neighboring countries and the impacts of climate change pose significant risks to national stability and growth. To unlock its full potential, India must implement targeted reforms in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and sustainability. This paper explores these challenges while identifying actionable strategies to harness India’s demographic and technological strengths, with a focus on skill development, renewable energy adoption, and regional cooperation. The successful implementation of these reforms will be crucial to achieving the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) by 2047, marking the 100th anniversary of India’s independence.