Narendra Modi@75: 11 big policies that define 11 years as PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 75 on Wednesday, September 17. His 11 years as India’s prime minister have been defined by stellar policies that took the country’s trajectory to a new high.

India’s blueprint for development is clearer than ever. The various schemes introduced in the country since 2014, under PM Modi’s leadership, have reached the grassroots of India and turned a new leaf in the country’s growth chapter.

On the occasion of his 75th birthday, we look at some of the policies and schemes envisaged by PM Modi:

How PM Modi streamlined governance?

Soon after, he came to power in 2014 after the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) phenomenal victory, one of the first steps PM Modi took was to drop a gazetted officer or a magistrate to attest documents sought by government departments.

In an effort to streamline governance and make the bureaucracy less daunting, the prime minister asked departments to adopt the system of self-attestation of certificates, photographs and marksheets, instead of asking for attested documents or filing of affidavits.

Obtaining either an attested copy or an affidavit not only cost money but also resulted in a waste of time for both government officials and citizens, including students, job seekers, and beneficiaries of various government schemes. Attestation by gazetted officers was required in many situations, such as applying for a ‘tatkal’ passport, securing admission to a central or state university, or applying for a government job.

When Modi gave JAM Trinity a big push

In 2015, a revolution came in the form of JAM (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) Trinity, taking India on the path of digital transformation. It is an integrated framework designed to deliver government benefits directly to citizens in a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive way.

Jan Dhan ensures financial inclusion via bank accounts for those previously outside the formal banking system. Aadhaar provides a unique digital identity based on biometric data, enabling precise verification of beneficiaries. The Mobile component ensures connectivity and communication, allowing for notifications, implementation of services, and digital outreach.

The JAM Trinity has been a game‑changer in reducing leakages of subsidies and welfare benefits, improving the targeting of services, and lowering corruption by eliminating intermediaries.

Government e-Marketplace: PM Modi’s transparency push

Government e Marketplace (GeM), created in a record time of five months, facilitates online procurement of common-use Goods & Services required by various Government Departments / Organisations / PSUs. GeM aims to enhance transparency, efficiency and speed in public procurement. It provides the tools of e-bidding, reverse e-auction and demand aggregation to facilitate the government users, achieve the best value for their money.

Since its implementation, GeM has had several significant impacts. It has streamlined vendor registration, introduced transparent bidding and reverse auctions, reduced human intervention, and helped open up opportunities for MSMEs, women‑led businesses, and small suppliers from less urban areas.

Since its inception, GeM has facilitated over Rs 13.41 lakh crore worth of orders across more than 2.83 crore transactions. In the fiscal year 2024‑25 alone, GeM recorded a record procurement value of Rs 5.42‑5.43 lakh crore.

The demonetisation decision

Another landmark decision taken by the central government came in the form of demonetisation in 2016, when PM Modi announced that all Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes would no longer be legal tender.

The bold move was aimed at combating black money, counterfeit currency, and corruption, while also aiming to encourage a shift towards digital transactions.

Demonetisation brought a massive amount of money back into the formal banking system, expanding the tax base and increasing transparency. It also gave a strong push to digital payments, with platforms like UPI, Paytm, and PhonePe witnessing unprecedented adoption across urban and rural India.

How PM Modi reformed tax structure: GST 1.0 and 2.0

As 2017 came, the government under PM Modi’s visionary leadership introduced a one-of-a-kind taxation system, called the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Its inception changed the way India paid taxes by replacing the complex and fragmented tax structure with a unified system.

The rollout of the GST marked a major turning point in the financial dynamics between the Centre and the states. Introduced as a unified tax system, GST replaced a complex web of indirect taxes previously imposed separately by central and state governments.

More recently, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has announced next-generation tax reforms as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the ramparts of Red Fort on Independence Day. The Council has approved the centre’s proposal to streamline the indirect tax structure into a dual slab of 5 per cent and 18 per cent.

When PM Modi launched Clean India Mission: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, India’s largest cleanliness campaign, was launched with PMModi leading from the front. At India Gate, he administered a pledge joined by nearly three million government employees nationwide and later flagged off a walkathon at Rajpath, where he marched alongside participants to underscore his commitment.

Framing the initiative as a mass movement, PM Modi urged citizens to realise Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of a clean India. He personally picked up a broom at Mandir Marg Police Station to set an example and coined the mantra “Na gandagi karenge, Na karne denge.” To spread the message, he nominated nine people to take up the challenge, encouraging each to inspire nine more, creating a ripple effect of citizen participation across the country.

A new policy centre: Niti Aayog

The Government of India set up Niti Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) to replace the erstwhile Planning Commission, with the aim of better serving the nation’s evolving needs and aspirations.

Its formation came after wide-ranging consultations with Chief Ministers, economists, experts, and the general public through the MyGov platform, ensuring that the new institution reflected collective voices and expectations.

This change reflects the spirit of a new India, where governance and policy institutions must adapt to fresh challenges while drawing strength from the Constitution, civilizational heritage, and contemporary socio-economic realities.

From Look East to PM Modi’s Act East

Under PM Modi, India has strengthened its position in the Asia-Pacific region with the Act East policy. Launched in 2014, Act East is an upgraded version of the earlier “Look East Policy”.

It aims to deepen India’s engagement with Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries through stronger trade, connectivity, cultural ties, and strategic cooperation.

Beyond economics, the Act East Policy also has a strategic dimension, as it seeks to strengthen security cooperation and ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific. By enhancing ties with Asean, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and other regional powers, India aims to counterbalance China’s growing influence, secure maritime routes, and contribute to a free, open, and inclusive regional order.

How PM Modi made ‘India First’ his policy focus

India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, launched in May 2020, was designed to strengthen domestic production and make India more resilient in the face of global disruptions.

The government announced a comprehensive economic stimulus package valued at around Rs 20 lakh crore (roughly 10 per cent of GDP) to support sectors like industry, infrastructure, agriculture, health, and small businesses.

Key elements of the initiative include platforms such as “Vocal for Local,” “Local for Global,” and “Make in India,” aimed at encouraging Indian manufacturers to become globally competitive and reducing reliance on imports.

When PM Modi aligned India First with Neighbourhood First

India’s Neighbourhood First Policy is a cornerstone of its foreign policy, aimed at giving top priority to relations with its immediate neighbours. The policy emphasises building stronger ties with countries in South Asia, such as Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Afghanistan, through greater connectivity, trade, energy cooperation, and cultural exchanges. It reflects India’s intent to foster regional integration and ensure that development in the neighbourhood is mutually beneficial.

PM Modi’s new anti-terror policy: No to nuclear blackmail

PM Modi has taken a revolutionary stance on dealing with terrorism ever since he came to power in 2014. His directives have led to some of the most successful military operations carried out by India to thwart terrorism originating from Pakistan.

Speaking from the Red Fort on the occasion of the 79th Independence Day in August, he warned that India would not accept nuclear blackmail, sending a direct message to Pakistan.

“India will no longer tolerate nuclear blackmail. If the enemy dares to commit any more misadventure, the Indian Armed Forces will give them a befitting reply,” PM Modi said.

With inputs from agencies

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