An Ordinary Citizens Perspective on the Vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047

As India progresses into the third decade of the 21st century, the year 2047 approaches, signifying the centenary of our independence. For our citizens, 2047 transcends its commemorative nature, embodying a challenge and a promise to forge a Bharat that is not only economically prosperous but also socially equitable, technologically advanced, and environmentally sustainable.

This aspiration often articulated as Viksit Bharat @ 2047 , rests on more than slogans. It demands a transformation in how we live, work, govern, innovate and engage as a community of nearly 1.4 billion people. India’s vision for Viksit Bharat by 2047 centres on certain key areas such as education & skill development, digital transformation, infrastructure growth, economic expansion, social equity, and environmental sustainability.

In this article we adopt the lens of an ordinary citizen ,someone who looks at his village, his college/school classroom, the workplace, and sees the nation’s future tied to those everyday spaces. we will use each letter of VIKSIT BHARAT as a thematic anchor. Here each phrase expresses what we must build, and how we must think. our aim is not to replicate policy documents, but to voice the aspirations of millions who want to be part of the journey, importantly not as passive beneficiaries, but as active contributors.

V-Villages and Vibrant Rural Transformation

Rural India remains the backbone of our country. By 2047 we must see villages not merely as agrarian enclaves, but as dynamic centres of livelihood, connectivity, education and entrepreneurship. Infrastructure (roads, power, digital connectivity, water, health) should be so robust that village life offers dignity and opportunity on par with urban centres. The rural-urban divide must narrow significantly.

I-Inclusive Education and Individual Empowerment

Education must be universal, high-quality and skill-oriented, preparing individuals to thrive in a modern economy. From implementing the National Education Policy 2020 to bolstering vocational training, the goal is to elevate every citizen’s capability, especially youth, women and marginalized groups. Literacy alone is no longer enough; critical thinking, digital fluency, lifelong learning are essential.

K-Kisan (Farmer) Driven Agri tech & Value Creation

India’s farmers deserve a future beyond subsistence agriculture. By 2047, farming must be resilient to climate change, integrated with agro-processing, supply chains and value-addition. Innovation in agritech, water-efficiency, diversification of crops and market access are critical. The livelihood of farmers must be elevated from vulnerability to competitiveness.

S-Sustainable Health & Social Well-being

True development embraces health and wellness as much as economic output. Universal access to preventive, primary and specialized healthcare is vital. Social determinants of health (nutrition, sanitation, clean air and water) must be addressed. An Indian in 2047 should feel confident about her health-future regardless of where she lives.

I-Innovation-led Industry and Infrastructure

“Made in India” must evolve into “Designed in India” and “Exported by India.” Manufacturing, services, R&D must merge into an ecosystem of innovation. Infrastructure, mainly physical (ports, roads, logistics) and digital (connectivity, data, platforms) must be world-class. A self-reliant yet globally integrated industrial economy is key. Reports suggest India may aim for a GDP of US$30-40 trillion by 2047.

T-Technology, Transparency & Trustworthy Governance

Digital governance, open data, citizen-centric services and accountability must be the norm. Trust in institutions and transparency in systems are foundational. Technology must be used to empower citizens, streamline public services, and reduce the distance between government and governed. The vision of “Sabka Prayas” (everyone’s effort) emphasised by the Prime Minister underscores this citizen-government co-creation.

B- Broad-based Employment & Bootstrapped Entrepreneurship

Growth must translate into jobs, opportunity and enterprise. Youth must have pathways into meaningful work, not just jobs but careers. Entrepreneurship, both in rural and urban India, must flourish. MSMEs must scale, new business models must emerge. Inclusive growth demands that the benefits of growth are broadly shared.

H-Human Capital and Holistic Development

Human capital is the engine of 21st-century development. Health, education, nutrition, skills and values form the core of human development. In addition, aspects like gender equality, social justice, cultural vibrancy amplify holistic growth. By 2047 we must measure success not just by GDP but by human development, social inclusion and quality of life.

A-Aatmanirbharta (Self-Reliance) with Global Engagement

Self-reliance isn’t isolation rather it is capability to design, produce and participate globally with dignity. India must emerge as a partner in global value chains, not a mere subcontractor. Technology, manufacturing, services under Indian leadership must expand. At the same time, engagement with the world through trade, diplomacy and cooperation strengthens national resilience.

R-Renewable Futures, Resilience & Responsible Environment

Environmental sustainability and resilience are not optional; they are imperative. India’s future must be green, climate-smart and resource-efficient. Transitioning to renewable energy, protecting ecosystems, promoting circular economy etc., all contribute to long-term prosperity. The aim is to leave a habitable planet for coming generations.

A-Active Citizenship & Accelerated Participation

A developed nation is built by active citizens, not by passive receivers. Participatory governance, civil society engagement, youth leadership and community action are essential. Platforms for ideas, suggestions and citizen voice (such as the “Voice of Youth” initiative) help align the national project with popular aspirations.

T-Time-bound Vision & Transformational Outlook

Finally, a vision without timelines and transformation is mere rhetoric. 2047 provides a temporal horizon but the journey must begin now, with medium-term milestones (2030, 2035) and annual reviews. Change must be systemic, scalable and measurable. The aspiration is transformational that is a leap, not incremental drift.

In summation, VIKSIT BHARAT 2047 is more than a tagline.It is a nation’s resolve to transform in scope, depth and character. It means that by the time our nation marks 100 years of independence, every young person should believe: “I have the skills; I have the opportunity; I have the voice.” Every farmer should believe: “My work yields dignity and return.” Every citizen should believe: “My village, town or city is connected; my children are educated; my health is not a gamble.” Every community should believe: “Our environment is protected; our governance is trusted; our future is secure.”

The journey demands coordinated policy levers, institutional strength, innovation, and above all the citizen engagement. The major barriers in this endeavour include skill-gaps, digital divide, infrastructure bottlenecks and climate risks. These must be addressed with urgency.

But policies alone will not suffice. The real measure will be how we, as citizens, change our mindset from mere spectators of development to architects of it. We must participate, innovate, question, hold systems accountable, and build at the local level. We must turn the rhetoric of “developed nation” into the reality of “lived aspiration.”

Thus, by 2047, India should not simply be counted among developed nations by GDP or HDI rankings; it should be experienced by its people as developed or equal, empowered, thriving and responsible. Let this be our collective voice from the village to the city, from the classroom to the boardroom, from the farm to the lab, we are the builders of Viksit Bharat 2047.

References

1-Viksit Bharat @2047: Towards a developed India by the centenary of independence. Retrieved from https://www.bimgkp.ac.in/journal/pdfs/p1.pdf

2-Standard Operating Procedure for Universities: Viksit Bharat 2047 – Voice of Youth. Retrieved from https://jit.ac.in/files/viksit/5210152_SOPforUnivs-Viksit-Bharat2047.pdf

3-Prime Minister’s Office, Government of India. (2024, December). PM launches Viksit Bharat 2047 – Voice of Youth initiative. Retrieved from https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pm-launches-viksit-bharat-2047-voice-of-youth/

4-Viksit Bharat Mission. (2024). Viksit Bharat 2047: Vision and roadmap for a developed India. Retrieved from https://www.viksit.in/viksit-bharat-2047/

Gaurav Upadhyay and Naman Joshi are both PhD research scholars in the Department of Political Science at Kumaun University, Nainital.