As I have long stated, no government’s performance can be judged without taking into account the key aspect of technical advancement. Ever-changing new tools and devices make the integration of technology and gadgets into governance a crucial development factor.
In fact, in the last 8 years of the Modi government, technological advancement has been one of the major points that have made Prime Minister Narendra Modi popular among the masses. India has seen a dramatic increase in the use of technology in the life of a common citizen. The government policies have further acted as catalysts for this change.
Scientists from India have made great strides in space research during the last eight years, and their achievements have been recognized worldwide. The sector of science and technology was given priority by the government and substantial budget amounts were also allocated each year.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has been providing NASA with pictures via its Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan missions, while countries like Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh use Indian technology for weather forecasts. India’s X-band weather radar is a great tool for tourists, students, and most importantly, farmers in Jammu who can plan their activities accordingly. By destroying one of its satellites with a missile launched from Earth during the Mission Shakti test in 2019, India demonstrated its ability to destroy satellites in orbit
Atmanirbhar’s digital infrastructure and technology stack are being boosted. Until recently, India’s telecom technology was imported, but 4G and 5G calls have been successfully tested here. India has developed 5G testbeds for testing new technologies and innovations. 5G spectrums are soon to be auctioned.
5G is expected to add USD 450 billion to the Indian economy, accelerating development and
creating jobs, according to projections. It will aid in the digitisation of the economy, the growth of the startup environment, better governance, and the ease of doing business in the country. According to the report of the India Brand Equity Foundation, the country is expected to have 350 million 5G subscriptions by 2026. Over 22 million jobs will be created in 5G centric technologies like the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and cloud computing.
In the last eight years, the country has seen the emergence of 100 unicorn start-ups. The government’s measures have made it simpler for young entrepreneurs to succeed. There have been several attempts to establish an economic climate that promotes innovation growth. Even the NEP, which I mentioned before, is meant to encourage creative thinking which is one of the most crucial elements for young enthusiasts to turn into entrepreneurs. This has also increased India’s credibility at a global level and has presented it as a profitable market for investments.
One cannot ignore the extensive promotion of a cashless economy done by the government. The prime minister himself has been vocal about the benefits of going cashless. UPI payments were launched in the nation on 11th April 2016 by Dr Raghuram G Rajan, then Governor of RBI. Since its launch, UPI transactions have seen a boom and today it’s hard to imagine a smartphone without a UPI app. UPI was
responsible for 56 per cent market share in terms of volume in 2021 Several government policies have been implemented to promote clean energy use.
However, as I have repeatedly stated in this article, it is not just announcements that result in real change, but the actions that follow them. In the past, governments have promoted green energy, but little groundwork has been done. The present government’s schemes such as the Solar Rooftop Scheme have proved that it has green energy as its priority. Under the Solar Rooftop Yojana of the government up to 40 per cent subsidy will be provided for the installation of solar panels To sum up, all of the technical innovations that have occurred in the previous eight years have had a direct impact on the daily lives of ordinary citizens in the country. Whether it’s the UPI, 5G, or forecasting satellites, the average man’s concerns have been at the forefront of these reforms.
According to me, this is the Modi administration’s most significant technological achievement.