India has set an ambitious goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. As per global benchmarks such as those used by the World Bank, this would imply achieving a per capita income of around 13,000 US dollars. At present, India's per capita income stands at approximately 2,500–2,600 dollars, with currency depreciation further constraining real gains.
To reach developed nation status, India's GDP, currently under 4 trillion dollars, would need to expand to at least 20–21 trillion dollars, given currentpopulationlevels. Equally important is inclusive growth: the income of even the poorest citizens must rise significantly, from an estimated 200–300 dollars annually to at least 3,000 dollars. Achieving these targets requires sustained and rapid economic growth.
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Why India's Governance Model Needs Structural Reform
However, insufficient attention has been paid to the administrative architecture required to support such growth. India's governance framework continues to be heavily influenced by structures established during colonial rule. While these systems served a purpose in the past, they now require substantial, even structural, reform to attain the goal of a developed nation.
A key reform would be the devolution of power. Social welfare schemes, development programs, and even regulatory functions currently administered by central and state governments should be transferred to local bodies. In countries like the United States, local governments exercise significant autonomy. Recently, during the mayoral elections in New York City in theUnited States, one statement by a candidate who later became mayor was striking and caught my attention. He said that if the Prime Minister of Israel came to the city, he would have him arrested. This implies that even the city police in New York are under the control of the elected mayor, and he alone appoints the city police chief. This is not only the case in the US — all democratically governed developed economies follow a similar system. Beyond law and order, local governments in developed countries are responsible for planning and implementing all social welfare programs.
This decentralisation contributes to higher efficiency and responsiveness and is one of the factors behind high per capita incomes exceeding 82,000 dollars in the United States. No comparable system exists in India.
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Decentralisation: The Key to India's 2047 Developed Nation Goal
This model is not unique to the United States; most developed nations operate with strong, autonomous local governments. Such decentralisation works because local elected representatives better understand regional conditions, challenges, and community needs. They would know most families personally. Their proximity fosters accountability and ensures that development efforts are real and tangible.
Source: The Probe: Investigative Journalism & In-Depth News Analysis
