Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to surpass the record of India's first Prime Minister, , as the longest-serving continuously elected Prime Minister. The milestone offers an opportunity to examine India's economic journey over the past 12 years a period characterized by sweeping reforms, large-scale infrastructure development, digital innovation, and India's emergence as one of the world's fastest-growing major economies.

Over the past decade, India has witnessed substantial economic expansion despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, global supply-chain disruptions, geopolitical conflicts, and inflationary pressures. The country's nominal GDP has more than doubled, making India one of the largest economies in the world. Major initiatives such as Goods and Services Tax (GST), Digital India, Make in India, Startup India, and Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes have aimed to modernize the economy, boost manufacturing, attract investment, and accelerate digital adoption. India has also witnessed record growth in digital payments, with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transforming everyday transactions across the country.

Infrastructure development has emerged as a key pillar of economic growth during this period. Massive investments in highways, railways, airports, ports, renewable energy, and urban development have reshaped connectivity and logistics. Foreign direct investment inflows have remained strong, while India's startup ecosystem has grown into one of the largest globally. The country has also strengthened its position in sectors such as information technology, pharmaceuticals, space technology, and renewable energy. At the same time, policymakers continue to face challenges including employment generation, income inequality, agricultural reforms, and sustaining high growth amid an uncertain global environment.

As Narendra Modi approaches a historic tenure milestone, India's economic landscape looks significantly different from what it was 12 years ago. While debates continue over the pace and distribution of growth, the country has established itself as a major global economic force with ambitions of becoming a developed nation in the coming decades. The next phase of reforms and investments will likely determine how successfully India converts its economic momentum into long-term prosperity.