Premiership of Narendra Modi explained

Premiership of Narendra Modi
Premier:Narendra Modi
Premier Link:Prime Minister of India
Term Start:26 May 2014
Party:Bharatiya Janata Party
Seal:File:Emblem_of_India.svg
Official Url:https://narendramodi.in/
Seat1:Varanasi
Seat2:Varanasi
Seat3:Varanasi
Term Start1:26 May 2014
Term End1:30 May 2019
Term Start2:30 May 2019
Term End2:9 June 2024
Term Start3:9 June 2024
Term End3:Present
Election1:2014
Election2:2019
Election3:2024
Appointer1:President Pranab Mukherjee
Appointer2:President Ram Nath Kovind
Appointer3:President Droupadi Murmu
Cabinet1:First
Cabinet2:Second
Cabinet3:Third

The premiership of Narendra Modi began 26 May 2014 with his swearing-in as the Prime Minister of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He became the 14th Prime Minister of India,[1] succeeding Manmohan Singh of the Indian National Congress. Modi's first cabinet consisted of 45 ministers, 25 fewer than the previous United Progressive Alliance government.[2] A total of 21 ministers were added to the council of ministers on 9 November 2014.

In 2019, he was elected as the prime minister of India for the second time and sworn in at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on 30 May 2019.[3] His second cabinet consisted of 54 ministers[4] and initially had 51 ministers, which was expanded to 77 ministers during a reshuffle on 7 July 2021.[5] His premiership has, to a considerable extent, practiced high command culture.[6]

Modi was sworn in for a third time as prime minister, heading a coalition government, on June 9, 2024.[7]

Some media sources cite India experiencing democratic backsliding under Modi's premiership,[8] however this claim is denied by other sources.[9]

Economic and other related policies

See main article: Economic policy of the Narendra Modi administration.

Overall

The economic policies of Modi's government focused on privatization and liberalization of the economy, based on a neoliberal framework.[10] Modi liberalized India's foreign direct investment policies, allowing more foreign investment in several industries, including in defense and the railways.[11] [12] [13]

Labour reform

Other reforms included removing many of the country's labor laws. Some scholars alleged said labour reforms were made to make it harder for workers to form unions and easier for employers to hire and fire them.

These reforms met with support from institutions such as the World Bank, but opposition from some scholars within the country. The labor laws also drew strong opposition from unions: on 2 September 2015, eleven of the country's largest unions went on strike, including one affiliated with the BJP. The strike was estimated to have cost the economy $3.7 billion.[14] [15]

The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, a constituent of the Sangh Parivar, stated that the reforms would hurt laborers by making it easier for corporations to exploit them.[16]

Economy

In his first budget, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley promised to gradually reduce the budgetary deficit from 4.1% to 3% over two years and to divest from shares in public banks.[17]

Over Modi's first year in office, the Indian GDP grew at a rate of 7.5%,[18] making India the fastest-growing economy in the world. For this the basis was a revised formula introduced a year after he took office, which surprised a lot of economists.[19]

However, this rate of growth had fallen significantly to 6.1%, by his third year in office.[20] This fall has been blamed on the exercise of demonetisation of currency.

In July 2014, Modi refused to sign a trade agreement that would permit the World Trade Organization to implement a deal agreed in Bali, citing that agreement will lead to "lack of protection to Indian farmers and the needs of food security" and "Lack of bargaining power".[21] The addition to Indian airports grew by 23 percent in 2016 while the airfares dropped by over 25 percent.[22]

Over the first four years of Modi's premiership, India's GDP grew at an average rate of 7.23%, higher than the rate of 6.39% under the previous government.[23]

The level of income inequality increased,[24] while an internal government report said that in 2017, unemployment had increased to its highest level in 45 years.[25]

The loss of jobs was attributed to the 2016 demonetisation, and to the effects of the Goods and Services Tax.[26] [27] The last year of Modi's first term didn't see much economic development and focused on the policies of Defence and on the basic formula of Hindutva.

His government focused on pension facilities for old-age group people and depressed sections of society.[28] The economic growth rate in 2018-19 was recorded to be 6.1%, which was lower than the average rate of the first four years of premiership.[29]

The fall in the growth rate was again attributed to the 2016 demonetisation and to the effects of the GST[30] on the economy.

Make in India

In September 2014, Modi introduced the Make in India initiative to encourage foreign companies to manufacture products in India, with the goal of turning India into a global manufacturing hub.[31] Supporters of economic liberalisation supported the initiative, while critics argued it would allow foreign corporations to capture a greater share of the Indian market. "Make in India" had three stated objectives:

Healthcare

The public health expenditure as a percentage of GDP of the country was 1.3% in 2013-14 was reduced by Modi Government to 1.2% and in the year 2016-17 was increased to 1.5%.

Oil prices

In October 2014, the Modi government deregulated diesel prices,[32] and later increased taxes on diesel and petrol by Rs 13 and Rs 11 between June 2014 and January 2016 on petrol and diesel respectively.

Later, taxes were decreased by four rupees(Rs 4) between February 2016 and October 2018 for petrol and diesel. Similarly, during January–April 2020, following a sharp decline of 69% in the global crude oil prices, the central government increased the excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre and Rs 13 per litre, respectively in May 2020.

Because of these subsequent changes in taxes the retail selling prices remained stable in India during the period of fall and increase in prices of global crude oil.[33]

Land reforms

In order to enable the construction of defence and industrial corridors, the Modi administration amend the 2013 Act of land-reform bill that allowed it to acquire private land and without the consent of the owners for "only" these five types of projects:

(i) defence, (ii) rural infrastructure, (iii) affordable housing, (iv) industrial corridors set up by the government/government undertakings, up to one km on either side of the road/railway of the corridor, and (v) infrastructure including PPP projects where the government owns the land.[34]

Under the previous bill (Land Acquisition Act, 2013), the government required 0% consent of landowners for Public Projects of any category, 70% consent of landowners for Public-Private projects and 80% consent for Private Projects.

According to the new bill, The government must conduct a survey of its wasteland and maintain a record of the same. The bill was passed via an executive order after it faced opposition in parliament but was eventually allowed to lapse.

Public transportation

The government signed large deals with General Electric and Alstom to supply India with 1,000 new diesel locomotives, as part of an effort to reform the Indian railway, which also included privatisation efforts.[35] [36]

In December 2015, Modi's government signed an agreement with Japan to jointly build a bullet train system linking Mumbai and Ahmedabad.[37]

Under his government, Railway budget was merged into the Union Budget of India. The date of presenting the budget was moved from 28 to 1 February and the financial cycle was changed from July to April. Further, the artificial distinction between planned and non-planned expenditure was removed. Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), considered as a hurdle in FDI, was scrapped by the Modi government.

COVID-19 pandemic

In the year 2020, due to the nationwide lockdown and shutdown of the industries, the Indian economy suffered a major economic loss.[38] [39] It experienced a historic quarterly fall of -23% rate of the GDP,[40] following which, Prime Minister Modi launched a movement called Atmanirbhar Bharat along with other movements and schemes to support the small scale and indigenous businesses to support the economy and to boycott Chinese products.[41] [42] Following this, Prime Minister Modi also announced a scheme of as a relief package for all damages to the economy.[43]

The Indian government put forward a plan on converting 101 rivers into national waterways for the transport of goods and passengers. The government also began an ambitious program to increase the number of highways in the country,[44] [45] allocating to the project.

Other major reforms, policies and governance

The Government has increased the Budget for National Mission for Green India from Rs. 290 Crore($38,511,333.00 in USD) to 361.69 Crore($48,034,782.98 in USD).[46] The public expenditure on education including technical education as a percentage of GDP for the year 2013-2014 was 4.44% which was later reduced to 4.35% in the year 2014-2015 and was later increased to 4.56% in the year 2015–2016 by Modi Government.[47]

The government substantially increased the percentage of central revenue directly granted to states, while decreasing the amount granted through various central government programs. Overall, states' share of revenue increased marginally. The criteria upon which individual states' allocation was determined were changed, such that the revenue to 19 states increased, and that of 10 states decreased. Only one of the ten states was ruled by the BJP when the policy was enacted.[48]

On 25 June 2015, Modi launched a program intended to develop 100 smart cities.[49] The "Smart Cities" program is expected to bring IT companies an extra benefit of . He also launched a "smart villages" initiative, under which villages would be given Internet access, clean water, sanitation, and low-carbon energy, with Members of Parliament overseeing the program's implementation. The program had a stated goal of at least 2,500 smart villages by 2019.[50]

Give up LPG subsidy is a campaign launched in March 2015 by the Indian government led by Narendra Modi. It is aimed at motivating LPG users who can afford to pay the market price for LPG to voluntarily surrender their LPG subsidy.[51] As at 23 April 2016 1 crore (10 million) people had voluntarily given up the subsidy.[52] The surrendered subsidy is being used by the government to provide cooking gas connections to poor families in rural households free of cost.[53] Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Delhi and Tamil Nadu are the top five states to give up the subsidy.[54]

In 2017, Modi government put in place the Goods and Services Tax, the biggest tax reform in the country since independence. It subsumed around 17 different taxes and became effective from 1 July 2017.

In March 2024 Modi participated in 'India's Teched: Chips for Developed India' through a video conferencing, and laid the foundation stone of three semiconductor projects worth about Rs 1.25 lakh crore. The PMO stated that the Prime Minister's vision is to establish India as a global center for semiconductor design, manufacturing, and technology development, thereby promoting employment opportunities for the country's youth.[55]

Financial inclusion

Modi launched Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) in August 2014. The initiative aimed to create bank accounts and debit cards for 150 million families, and to allow them an overdraft of and accident insurance. After the launch, 125.4 million accounts were opened by January 2015.

Modi government launched the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) in April 2015. Under this scheme, loans up to are given for non-agricultural activities under the three categories: Shishu (loans up to); Kishore (loans from to) and Tarun (loans from to). According to a report by the SKOCH Group, this scheme has generated 1.68 crore incremental jobs in the first two years until September 2017.

Anti-corruption initiatives

In his first cabinet decision, Modi set up a team to investigate black money.Over the first four years of Modi's premiership, India's GDP grew at an average rate of 7.23%, higher than the rate of 6.39% under the previous government. The level of income inequality increased, while an internal government report said that in 2017, unemployment had increased to its highest level in 45 years. The loss of jobs was attributed to the 2016 demonetisation, and to the effects of the Goods and Services Tax.

Shell companies

After demonetisation of ₹500 and ₹1000 rupee notes[56] [57] various authorities noticed a surge in shell companies depositing cash in banks, possibly in an attempt to hide the real owner of the wealth. In response, in July 2017, the authorities ordered nearly 200,000 shell companies to be shut down while Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) imposed trading restrictions on 162 listed entities as shell companies.[58] [59] In September 2017, the government froze bank accounts of nearly 200,000 shell companies.[60] A day after, the Corporate Affairs ministry decided to ban around 300,000 directors of shell companies from serving on the boards of other firms to track down the beneficial owners of suspected shell companies and take penal action against those who divert funds from these shell companies.[61]

Infrastructure

Modi government passed the National Waterways Act, 2016 to develop 111 National Waterways in India.

Housing

in June 2015 under his premiership MoHUA started PM Awas Yojana with an aim to provide affordable Houses by giving financial assistance. Under PMAY, it is proposed to build 2 crore houses for poor including Economically Weaker Sections and Low Income Groups by the year 2022 through a financial assistance of ₹2 lakh crore (US$25 billion) from the central government.[62] [63]

Privatization of government owned assets

Banks

On 27 March 2022 Bank employees called a nationwide strike for two days to protest against the Modi government's plan to privatize public sector banks.[64]

Secularism and social policies

Hindutva

During the 2014 election campaign, Modi expressed hopes for a tenure without communal violence. The BJP sought to identify itself with political leaders known to have opposed Hindu nationalism, including B. R. Ambedkar, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Ram Manohar Lohia. The campaign also saw the use of rhetoric based on Hindutva, however, by BJP leaders in certain states.[65] Communal tensions were played upon especially in Uttar Pradesh and the states of Northeast India. A proposal for the controversial Uniform Civil Code was a part of the BJP's election manifesto.

Several state governments headed by the BJP have enacted policies aligned with Hindutva after the election of Modi as prime minister. The government of Haryana made changes to its education policy that introduced Hindu religious elements into the curriculum. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj suggested after the election that the Bhagvad Gita be adopted as India's "national book". The Modi administration has generally avoided directly supporting policies related to a Hindutva agenda. There has been an increase in the activities of a number of other Hindu nationalist organisations, sometimes with the support of the government. The incidents included a campaign against "Love Jihad", a religious conversion programme, by members of the right wing Hindu Mahasabha. The attempts at religious conversion have been described by the VHP and other organisations involved with them as attempts at "reconversion" from Islam or Christianity. However, no evidence was found by police in many states to support the "love-jihad" narrative.[66] [67] [68] [69] There have been a number of reports of intimidation or coercion of the subjects during these attempts. Officials in the government, including the Home Minister, have defended the attempts. There were additional incidents of violence targeted at religious minorities by Hindu nationalists. Modi refused to remove a government minister from her position after a popular outcry resulted from her referring to religious minorities as "bastards".[70] Commentators have suggested, however, that the violence was perpetrated by radical Hindu nationalists to undercut the authority of Modi.

The Modi administration appointed Yellapragada Sudershan Rao, who had previously been associated with the RSS, chairperson of the Indian Council of Historical Research. In reaction to his appointment, other historians and former members of the ICHR, including those sympathetic to the ruling party, questioned his credentials as a historian. Several stated that the appointment was part of an agenda of cultural nationalism.[71] [72]

On 8 January 2019, India's lower house of parliament approves a bill that would grant residency and citizenship rights to non-Muslim immigrants who entered the country before 2014 – including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from three Muslim-majority countries (Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan) – and make them eligible for Indian citizenship. The Bill excludes Muslims.[73] [74] On 6 August 2019, the Supreme Court of India passed resolution on creation of Ram Mandir on the disputed land of Ayodhya.[75] The verdict also stated to provide 5acres for creation of a mosque on another part of the land. The land was given to the Sunni Waqf Board.[76] On 5 August 2020, Narendra Modi attended the Bhoomipujan at Ayodhya. He became the first prime minister to visit Ram Janmabhoomi and Hanuman Garhi.[77]

On 8 March 2019, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project was launched by Narendra Modi to ease access between the temple and the Ganges River, creating a wider space to prevent overcrowding.[78] On 13 December 2021, Modi inaugurated the corridor with a sacred ceremony.[79]

According to Sumantra Bose, a London School of Economics professor, since being reelected in May 2019, Modi's government has "moved on to larger-scale, if still localized, state-sanctioned mob violence".[80]

Under Modi's tenure, bulldozers have been used in many Muslim neighborhoods for demolitions of homes, shops and other property owned by Muslims accused in crimes or riots. BJP officials have defended the use of demolitions as they say properties are illegal. In Delhi, the demolition drive even violated the Supreme Court order which asked the authorities to immediately stop the demolitions.[81]

Social welfare

In June 2015, Modi launched the "Housing for All By 2022" project, which intends to eliminate slums in India by building about 20 million affordable homes for India's urban poor. A total of 4,718 camps were held from 2014 to 2017, benefiting 6.40 lakh beneficiaries under Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP) scheme, as compared to 37 camps from 2012 to 2014.

In 2019, a law was passed to provide 10% reservation to Economically weaker sections.

Modi also launched Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) on 1 May 2016 to distribute 50 million LPG connections to women of BPL families.[82] A budgetary allocation of was made for the scheme. In the first year of its launch, the connections distributed were 22 million against the target of 15 million. As of 23 October 2017, 30 million connections were distributed, 44% of which were given to families belonging to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. The number crossed 58 million by December 2018. In 2018 Union Budget of India, its scope was widened to include 80 million poor households. 21,000 awareness camps were conducted by oil marketing companies (OMC). The scheme led to an increase in LPG consumption by 56% in 2019 as compared to 2014.

The Muslim Women Bill, 2017

See main article: article, Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 and Triple talaq in India. The BJP Government formulated the bill after 100 cases of instant triple talaq in the country since the Supreme Court judgement in August 2017.[83] On 28 December 2017, Lok Sabha passed The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017.[84] The bill make instant triple talaq (talaq-e-biddah) in any form – spoken, in writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp illegal and void, with up to three years in jail for the husband. MPs from RJD, AIMIM, BJD, AIADMK and AIML opposed the bill, calling it arbitrary in nature and a faulty proposal, while Congress supported the Bill tabled in Lok Sabha by law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.[85] [86] 19 amendments were moved in Lok Sabha but all were rejected. The central government re-introduced the bill in the Lok Sabha on 21 June 2019.[87] [88] The bill was subsequently passed by the Lok Sabha on 25 July 2019[89] and then by Rajya Sabha on 30 July 2019[90] and received assent from President Kovind on 31 July 2019.[91] After its enactment, the Act became retrospectively effective from 19 September 2018.

However, even after five years since Supreme Court's invalidation of triple talaq, some of the women petitioners who were abandoned by their husbands, continue to live the life of half-divorcees.[92]

Health and sanitation policies

See also: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. In his first year as prime minister Modi reduced the amount of money spent by the government on healthcare.[93] The Modi government launched a "New Health Policy" in January 2015. The policy did not increase the government's spending on healthcare, but placed emphasis on the role of private healthcare organisations.[94] In its budget for the second year after it took office, the Modi government reduced healthcare spending by 15%.[94] This represented a shift away from the policy of the previous Congress government, which had supported programs to support public health goals including reducing child and maternal mortality rates.[94] The National Health Mission, which included public health programs targeted at these indices received nearly 25% less funds in 2015 than in the previous year.[94] 15 national health programs, including those aimed at controlling tobacco use and supporting healthcare for the elderly, were merged with the National Health Mission, and received less funds than in previous years.[94] Modi initially appointed Harsh Vardhan, a doctor and an advocate of tobacco control, minister of health. However, Vardhan was removed in November 2015.[94] The government also proposed introducing stricter packaging laws for tobacco, but this effort was postponed because of the efforts of the tobacco lobby.[94]

On 2 October 2014, Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan ("Clean India") campaign. The stated goals of the campaign included eliminating open defecation, eliminating manual scavenging, and improving waste management practices.[95] [96] The campaign was announced on the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, and was planned to achieve these aims in five years, or in time for the 150th anniversary of his birth.[96] As part of the programme, the Indian government began the construction of millions toilets in rural areas, as well as efforts to encourage people to use them.[97] [98] [99] The government also announced plans to build new sewage treatment plants.[100] The administration plans to construct 60 million toilets by 2019. The construction projects have faced allegations of corruption, and have faced severe difficulty in getting people to use the toilets constructed for them.[96] [97] [98] Modi has generally emphasized his government's efforts at sanitation as a means of ensuring good health.[94] He has also advocated yoga and traditional forms of medicine.[94] An article in the medical journal Lancet stated that the country "might have taken a few steps back in public health" under the first year of the Modi government.[94]

Modi's government developed a draft policy to introduce a universal health care system, known as the National Health Assurance Mission. Under this plan, the government was to provide free drugs, diagnostic treatment, and insurance coverage for serious ailments, although budgetary concerns have delayed its implementation.[101] [102] [103] The government announced "Ayushman Bharat" (National Health Protection Mission) in the 2018 Union Budget of India. It is World's largest health protection scheme, also being called ModiCare.[104] [105] [106] The scheme will help 10 crore families in their medical need.[107] Under the Ayushman Bharat programme, there is a new scheme has been announced by Arun Jaitley, the finance minister of India, called National Health Protection Scheme, providing a health insurance cover of ₹5 lac a family per annum.[108] More than a lakh people have taken benefit of the scheme till October 2018.

Education and skill development

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), a skill development initiative scheme of the Government of India for recognition and standardisation of skills.[109] Cabinet approved an outlay of for the project. The scheme has a target to train 1 crore Indian youth from 2016 to 2020. As of 18 July 2016, 17.93 lakh candidates were trained out of 18 lakh who enrolled for the scheme. The aim of the PMKVY scheme is to encourage aptitude towards employable skills and to increase working efficiency of probable and existing daily wage earners, by giving monetary awards and rewards and by providing quality training to them. Average award amount per person has been kept as . Those wage earners already possessing a standard level of skill will be given recognition as per scheme and average award amount for them is ₹2000 to ₹2500. In the initial year, a target to distribute has been laid down for the scheme. Training programmes have been worked out on the basis of National Occupational Standards (NOS) and qualification packs specifically developed in various sectors of skills. For this qualification plans and quality plans have been developed by various Sector Skill Councils (SSC) created with participation of Industries. National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has been made coordinating and driving agency for the same.

An outlay of has been approved by the cabinet for this project. The scheme has a target to train 1 crore Indian youth from 2016 to 2020. As of 18 July 2016, 17.93 lakh candidates were trained out of 18 lakh who enrolled for the scheme.

The government began formulating a New Education Policy, or NEP, soon after its election. This was the third education policy introduced by the Indian government, following those of 1968 and 1986. The policy was described as having overtones of Hindutva.[110] The RSS had a role in its creation, and it did not explicitly mention the goals of "socialism, secularism and democracy" that had been mentioned in the first two policies. The policy emphasised the education of minority students, as well as those of economically backward groups, in particular on improving enrolment in schools among those groups. The policy proposed bringing religious educational institutions under the Right to Education Act. There was also a debate about removing caste-based reservation in favour of reservation based on income, a move supported by the RSS, but which was criticised as being discriminatory on the basis of caste.[111] As of October 2018, the new policy had not been implemented.[112] [113]

In July 2020, the government unveiled the National Education Policy 2020, "envisioning an India-centric education system that contributes directly to transforming our nation sustainably into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society by providing high-quality education to all"[114] and making "India a global knowledge superpower".[115]

Foreign policy

Foreign policy played a relatively small role in Modi's election campaign, and did not feature prominently in the BJP's election manifesto.[116] Modi invited all the other leaders of SAARC countries to the ceremony where he was sworn in as prime minister.[117] [118] He was the first Indian prime minister to do so.[119] Observers have stated that due to Modi portraying himself as a strong and nationalist leader during his election campaign, he would be politically unable to follow a policy of restraint that India had previously followed after terrorist attacks, and is more likely to have a military response.[117]

Modi's foreign policy focused on improving economic ties, improving security, and increased regional relations, which is very similar to the policy of the preceding INC government.[116] Modi continued his predecessor Manmohan Singh's policy of "multialignment."[120] This involved the use of regional multilateral institutions and strategic partnerships to further the interests of the Indian government.[120] The Modi administration tried to attract foreign investment in the Indian economy from several sources, especially in East Asia.[116] The Modi government also upgraded several of India's military alliances, although it was unable to conclude negotiations for a trilateral defense agreement with Japan and Australia.[116] As a part of this policy, the Modi government completed India's application to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, which is led by China and Russia. (SCO). It also joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank founded by China.[120] Together with the US government, it created a "Joint Strategic Vision" for the Indian and Pacific oceans.[120] The government also tried to improve relations with Islamic republics in the Middle East, such as Bahrain, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as with Israel, with the intent to also "link west."[120] Modi added five bilateral strategic partnerships to the 25 that had been agreed by his predecessors Singh and Vajpayee.[120]

During the first few months after the election, Modi made trips to a number of different countries to further the goals of his policy, and attended the BRICS, ASEAN, and G20 summits.[116] During these visits, Modi attempted to draw further foreign investment in the Indian economy,[116] with the use of slogans such as "Make in India" and "Digital India," put forward during a visit to Silicon Valley.[120] One of Modi's first visits as prime minister was to Nepal, during which he promised a billion USD in aid.[121] Another early visit was to Bhutan.[121] Modi also made several overtures to the United States, including multiple visits to that country.[118] While this was described as an unexpected development, due to the US having previously denied Modi a travel visa over his alleged failure to control the 2002 Gujarat riots, it was also expected to strengthen diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries.[118] As of July 2016, Modi had made 51 trips to 42 countries with the intent of strengthening diplomatic relations.

In 2015, the Indian parliament ratified a land exchange deal with Bangladesh about the India–Bangladesh enclaves, which had been initiated by the government of Manmohan Singh. Modi's administration gave renewed attention to India's "Look East Policy", instituted in 1991. The policy was renamed the "Act East policy", and involved directing Indian foreign policy towards East Asia and Southeast Asia.[120] [122] The government signed agreements to improve land connectivity with Myanmar, through the state of Manipur. This represented a break with India's historic engagement with Myanmar, which prioritized border security over trade.[122] In June 2018, PM Modi articulated India's vision towards the "Indo-Pacific region" for the first time.[123] A central feature of Indian PM Modi's foreign policy has been to advance the need to create a "free, open, and inclusive" Indo-Pacific.[124]

He coined the concept of "three Ds" – democracy, demography and demand – to reflect the strength of the country.

Defence policy

During the 2014 election campaign, Modi and the BJP pledged to revisit India's nuclear weapons doctrine, and in particular India's historical policy of no-first-use.[125] The pressure to revise the doctrine came from a desire for assertiveness among Indian government and defence officials. Soon after being sworn in as prime minister, Modi said that no revision would take place in the immediate future.[125] The election manifesto of the BJP had also promised to deal with illegal immigration into India in the Northeast, as well as to be more firm in its handling of insurgent groups. During the election campaign, Modi said that he would be willing to accommodate Hindu migrants who were being persecuted in Bangladesh, but those that came with "political objectives" would have to be sent back to Bangladesh. The Modi government issued a notification allowing Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist illegal immigrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh to legalize their residency in India. The government described the measure as being taken for humanitarian reasons. However, it drew criticism from several Assamese organizations.

Modi continued the previous INC administration's policy of increasing military spending every year, announcing an increase of 11% in the military budget in 2015.[126] [127] This increase was larger than the average growth under the Congress.[126]

The Modi administration negotiated a peace agreement with the largest faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCM), which was announced in August 2015. The Naga insurgency in northwest India had begun in the 1950s.[128] [129] The NSCM and the government had agreed to a ceasefire in 1997, but a peace accord had not previously been signed.[129] In 2015 the government abrogated a 15-year ceasefire with the Khaplang faction of the NSCM (NSCM-K). The NSCM-K responded with a series of attacks, which killed 18 people.[128] The Modi government carried out a raid across the border with Myanmar as a result, and labelled the NSCM-K a terrorist organization.[128]

Modi has repeatedly stated that Pakistan was an exporter of terrorism.[130] Modi increased the monetary compensation for victims of terrorist attacks, and stated that citizens of Azad Kashmir could also apply for this compensation. In September 2016, he urged the BRICS to target and destroy funding channels of terrorist groups. On 29 September 2016, the Indian Army stated that it had conducted a surgical strike on terror launchpads in PoK, Pakistan denied the claims, while details of the confrontation were later released by the Indian Army. Video footages were released of the confrontations.[131]

Modi also played a crucial role and known for involving in 2017 China–India border standoff at the Doklam making the Defence policy strict against China and also strengthening relations with Bhutan.[132] [133]

The Modi administration has been active in the Defence policy,[134] he has a major concern and soon on 14 February 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora in the Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, India.[135] The attack resulted in the deaths of 46 Central Reserve Police Force personnel and the attacker. The perpetrator of the attack was from Indian-administered Kashmir.[136] The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based Islamistterrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed.[137] On 26 February, twelve Mirage 2000 jets of the Indian Air Force crossed the Line of Control and dropped bombs into Balakot, Pakistan. India claimed that it attacked a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp and killed a large number of terrorists, reported to be between 300 and 350. Pakistan claimed that they quickly scrambled jets to intercept the IAF jets, who dropped their payloads to quickly return over the Line of Control.[138] [139] [140]

After the 2019 Lok Sabha election win, he made serious and strict defence policy against China and Pakistan.[141]

Following Galwan valley skirmishes, there were made serious policies against China.[142] On 17 June 2020, Modi addressed the nation regarding the Galwan skirmish, giving a firm message directed at China over the deaths of Indian soldiers.[143] The first communication since the start of the border dispute between the foreign ministers of China, Wang Yi and of India, S Jaishankar also happened after the Galwan skirmish. S Jaishankar accused the Chinese actions in Galwan to be "pre-meditated and planned".[144]

Environmental policies

In naming his cabinet, Modi renamed the "Ministry of Environment and Forests" the "Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change."[145] In the first budget of the government, the money allotted to this ministry was reduced by more than 50%.[145] The new ministry also removed or diluted a number of laws related to environmental protection. These included no longer requiring clearance from the National Board for Wildlife for projects close to protected areas, and allowing certain projects to proceed before environmental clearance was received.[145] The government also tried to reconstitute the Wildlife board such that it no longer had representatives from non-governmental organisations: however, this move was prevented by the Supreme court.[145]

Modi also relaxed or abolished a number of other environmental regulations, particularly those related to industrial activity. A government committee stated that the existing system only served to create corruption and that the government should instead rely on the owners of industries to voluntarily inform the government about the pollution they were creating.[146] The changes were made with the aim of accelerating approval for industrial projects. Other changes included reducing ministry oversight on small mining projects, and no longer requiring approval from tribal councils for projects inside forested areas.[146] In addition, Modi lifted a moratorium on new industrial activity in the most polluted areas in the countries.[145] The changes were welcomed by business people but were criticized by environmentalists.[146]

Under the UPA government that preceded Modi's administration, field trials of Genetically Modified crops had essentially put on hold, after protests from farmers fearing for their livelihoods.[147] Under the Modi government these restrictions were gradually lifted.[147] The government received some criticism for freezing the bank accounts of environmental group Greenpeace, citing financial irregularities, although a leaked government report said that the freeze had to do with Greenpeace's opposition to GM crops.[147]

At the CoP21 Climate Conference on 30 November 2015 Modi announced the founding of an International Solar Alliance (ISA). The headquarters of the ISA would be located in Gurgaon, and would receive support from the Indian government for a few years. All tropical countries were invited to join the alliance. He was also awarded the United Nations Champions of the Earth award in 2018 for his environmental policies.[148]

In 2022, India was placed at the bottom of the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) getting the lowest rank among 180 countries.[149]

Governance and other initiatives

Modi's first year as prime minister saw significant centralisation of power relative to previous administrations.[48] [150] Modi personally selected the civil servants who served under his ministers, frequently giving them instructions without involving the ministers themselves.[48] Modi's efforts at centralisation have been linked to an increase in the number of senior administration officials resigning their positions.[48] Although the government has a majority of seats in the Lok Sabha, it does not have one in the Rajya Sabha, which led to its policies frequently being stymied there. Thus, Modi resorted to passing a number of ordinances, or executive orders, to enact his policies, leading to further centralisation of power.[151] In 2014, the Prime Minister's Office prevented Gopal Subramaniam from being appointed to the Supreme Court. The stated reason was that his conduct in the 2G spectrum allocation case had been suspect: commentators stated it was because he had been the amicus curiae in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh case, which had implicated BJP leaders including Modi's aide Amit Shah. The government also passed a bill increasing the control that it had over the appointment of judges, and reducing that of the judiciary.[152]

On 31 December 2014, Modi announced that the Planning Commission had been scrapped. It was replaced with a body called the National Institution for Transforming India, or NITI Aayog.[153] [154] The Planning Commission was a legacy of the Indian independence movement, although critics said that it was slowing economic growth.[155] The new body includes the leaders of all 29 Indian states, but its full-time staff report directly to the prime minister.[153] The move had the effect of greatly centralising the power previously with the planning commission in the person of the prime minister.[156] [151] [153] [154] [155] It also reduced the extent of control individual states had over their financial allocation from the union government,[154] [155] and unlike the planning commission, it does not have the power to allocate funds.[154] The planning commission had received heavy criticism in previous years for creating inefficiency in the government, and of not filling its role of improving social welfare: however, since the economic liberalisation of the 1990s, it had been the major government body responsible for measures related to social justice.[154]

As Prime Minister, Modi announced the abolition of a number of regulations previously placed on Indian businesses, such as a complex permit and inspection system. The move was aimed at reducing red tape and making it easier to do business. Modi also ordered reform among the bureaucrats of the Indian Administrative Service to ensure a more efficient government bureaucracy.[157]

The Modi government launched a crackdown against a number of civil society organisations. Several tens of thousands of organisations were investigated by the Intelligence Bureau in the first year of the administration, on the grounds that they were slowing economic growth.[48] International humanitarian aid organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres was among the groups that were put under pressure.[48] Other organisations affected included the Sierra Club and Avaaz.[156] Cases of sedition were filed against individuals criticising the government.[48] This led to discontent with Modi's style of functioning within the BJP, and drew comparisons to the governing style of Indira Gandhi.[48] [151]

Modi government has exploited the terrorism prevention law UAPA to intimidate and imprison critics and activists.[158]

He started a monthly radio program titled "Mann ki Baat" on 3 October 2014.

Repealing obsolete laws

Modi repealed 1,200 obsolete laws dating back to British rule in first three years as prime minister, against a total of 1,301 such laws repealed by previous governments over a span of 64 years. The legislations passed in the parliament for the purpose include Repealing and Amending Act, 2015, Repealing and Amending (Second) Act, 2015, Repealing and Amending Act, 2016, Repealing and Amending Act, 2017 and Repealing and Amending (Second) Act, 2017.[159]

Among the major British era laws repealed by the Modi government are the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure & Indian Evidence Act. The new laws replacing them have made the definition of sedition & terrorism ambiguous; thereby increasing the government's power to stifle dissent & curtail free speech,[160] made the chances of obtaining bail more difficult, decreased the scope of plea bargaining, empowered the police to violate the digital privacy of individuals, confiscate the properties of the accused even before commencement of trial & to launch investigation without registering any FIR at will,[161] made it more difficult for the defendants to defend themselves at court and encourages prosecutors to produce potentially dubious evidence.[162]

IT policy

Modi launched the Digital India programme, which has the goal of ensuring that government services are available electronically, building infrastructure so rural areas get high-speed Internet access, boosting manufacturing of electronic goods in the country, and promoting digital literacy. Under the programme, 400 railway Stations across the country are being equipped with Wi-Fi technology. In the 2017 Union Budget of India, POS machines, scanners, fingerprint readers, iris scanners and micro ATMs were exempted from all kinds of custom duties. The internet penetration in India rose from 20 percent in 2014 to 28.7 percent in 2016.

Partnerships

"Unnat Bharat Abhiyan" involve engaging with neighbouring communities and using technologies for their upliftment.[163] [164]

Democratic backsliding

Democratic backsliding constitutes the process of political change in which a democracy can slowly turn into an autocracy, making the exercise of political power more restrained against the government. Since Modi came into power in 2014, various studies conducted by non-governmental organisations have confirmed the persistent decline in democracy indexes in that now India is widely considered to be gradually moving towards an "electoral autocracy".[165] This is credibly supported by the Swedish organization International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance categorising India as an "electoral autocracy" in March 2021.[166] It is thought though, that the democratic backsliding has been driven primarily by PM Modi and the Hindu nationalist BJP.[167]

Statistics

In the past decade, India has seen a decline in many global freedom indices. In 2020, India reported drop in the rankings in the Human Freedom Index, Global Economic Freedom Index, Internet Freedom Index, Human Development Report. Indian also saw decline in press freedom, falling from 133 out of 180 countries in 2016 to 161 in 2023, in the Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders.[168] [169] [170] India ranked 46th out of 165 independent countries and two territories in the Democracy Index published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for 2021.[171]

Factors contributing to democratic backsliding

According to international think-tank Chatham house amongst many factors, such as its control of the media, corruption, and abuse of power, the BJP seems to be on the path to becoming an illiberal pseudo-democracy similar to Turkey or Russia. Their attempt at developing the country, has now been increasingly polarised, eroding the citizens' trust in the states' institutions and basic democratic foundations like the rule of law.[172]

Defiance, defamation and counterterrorism to silence critics

If a public source was to criticise the rule of Modi or the BJP, they would be punished through harassment, prosecution, raided by tax income officers, or put under surveillance. This was to restrict the denunciation of the leader, however this would then deny the public of the free flow of information that essentially enables them to assess the work of the government and make political choices.[173] Therefore, the public would not be able to hold the government accountable for their actions. Cases of sedition (conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state) had risen by 28% between 2010 and 2021; Of these cases filed against citizens for criticising the government, 96% were filed after Modi came to power in 2014.[174] Not only were opposing press silenced, but media coverage on the television was highly influenced by Modi, with a study of RepublicTV from 2017 to 2020 finding that coverage would be "consistently biased in favour of the Modi government and its policies.". Moreover, Mukesh Ambani, a businessman with close ties to Modi, directly controls media outlets followed by at least 800 million Indians.[175] This heavily dictates the media shown to the population, often being able to convey propaganda benefitting the BJP.

As well as subduing the media, Modi has been able to manipulate the Supreme Court, despite a tradition of an independent judiciary which would maintain effective checks and balances. The government has been able to abuse their executive power which is supposedly overtly embedded into the constitutional order and institutional structure. The Constitution establishes a political system designed to advancing executive power and supports coercive legislation at their disposal, if there are cases of absent fundamental plumbing, it can be created through amendments.[165] However, it is important to note that the same concentration of power would be available if a leader is able to muster a legislative majority.

This overall, leads to a democratic backslide due to the lack of criticising information available to the public to view, therefore their opinions are likely to be manipulated in favour of Modi and the BJP.

Evaluation against democratic backsliding

Despite much evidence for the prominent democratic backslide in India, sources claim that this is perhaps not likely to be happening through a number of constitutional reasons.

From 1998 to 2004, the coalition National Democratic Alliance, was formed to contest the general elections after splits in the Indian National Congress. From this, coalitions then allowed for a more extensive distribution of executive authority and prevented the concentration of power. As a result, there was less room for the government to impose its will and authority on various institutions. These included the courts, but also organisations like the Election Commission and the Comptroller and Auditor General, leading to greater liberalism and a broader scope of civic engagement as inevitable outcomes.[165]

Moreover, the Indian constitution still holds up, despite attempts at subverting its emancipatory provisions. In Articles 14 to 18, there is still the promise of equality, justice and opportunity for all citizens, an article which has still been upheld despite the previous authoritarian lead of Indira Gandhi.

Therefore, it can be argued that the "cultural and social trends [in India today] are not necessarily evidence of democratic backsliding, but are rather evidence of social norms in India that are illiberal toward speech, individual expression, and criticism." as reporter Akhilesh Pillalamarri suggests.[176]

Use of investigative agencies

Against political opponents

Central investigative agencies like the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation have been instrumentalised for political gains by the Modi government and used against their political opposition.[177] [178] The investigative agencies provide inputs about the opposition's vulnerabilities with the Modi government, and intimidate them with raids. On one occasion, IT officers came from a car with BJP sticker.[179] The government has put opposition politicians under house arrest and jailed them in order to prevent them from canvassing or participating in protest movements such as in the cases of TDP politician Nara Lokesh and former finance minister P. Chidambaram. Jaffrelot finds similarities between the way the Modi administration has used investigative agencies, and the use of income-tax raids as a tool of intimidation by the government of Indira Gandhi during the Emergency.[177] A pattern of closing cases against political opponents who defect to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has also emerged.[180] The charges of Saradha scam[181] were dropped[182] against Himanta Biswa Sarma when he joined the BJP.[183] Similar cases of corruption against Ajit Pawar,[184] Mukul Roy,[185] Y.S. Chowdary and Harshvardhan Patil[186] were also dropped when they defected to the BJP.

The timing of raids on the opposition leaders is often made to coincide with elections or other political consequences.[187] [188]

According to the data shared by the Union government in the parliament in July 2022, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered 5,422 cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, but only 23 persons have been convicted – less than 0.5% out of which 5,310 cases were under the premiership of Narendra Modi – a 27 times rise .[189] [190] [191] The government data on convictions by the Income Tax Department is also abysmal.[192] In 6 months between 2018 and 2019, the Income Tax Department had raided the offices of 16 politicians of which 15 belonged to opposition parties.[193] Among the politicians booked, arrested, raided or questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation under the first eight years years of Modi's government, 95% were from the opposition.[194] BJP leaders have boasted about the impunity they get from the investigative agencies and threatening rebels in their party with raids, adds further to the allegations of misuse of investigative agencies under the premiership of Modi.[195] [196]

Crackdown on media

The investigative agencies have also targeted independent journalists and media houses with raids. Offices of Dainik Bhaskar were raided by IT department months after the media house exposed the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic by the government. BBC India offices were raided by income tax officers a month after they released a documentary on Modi's role in the 2002 Gujarat riots. Other media houses that were targeted include Bennett Coleman and Company Limited, India Today Group, Kashmir Times, The Quint, The News Minute, Theo Connect (parent of HW News Network), Newslaundry, Bharat Samachar, NewsClick, Greater Kashmir, Kashmir Walla.[197]

Journalist Sidheeq Kappan was put in jail for 850 days under the stringent UAPA by UP police and money laundering case by the ED on his way to Hathras gang rape and murder case. Journalist Manash Baruah from Guwahati was summoned by the NIA asking him to discontinue phone calls with activist Akhil Gogoi. At the time of farmers' protests, NIA summoned Gurpatwant Singh Pannun because of his reporting on farmer protests was different from mainstream media.

Extension of term of chief of investigative agencies

Modi' government extended the tenure of ED director Sanjay Kumar Mishra, who was set to leave the post in November 2020, to one more year so that he remains the director till November 2021. In September 2021, the Supreme Court directed the centre to not give any further extension to Mishra after his tenure ends in November 2021. The government followed by passing two ordinances giving itself power to extend the tenure of chiefs of ED and CBI for three years after their two-year tenure is completed, and Mishra's tenure was extended till November 2022.[198] [199] The move to allow extension of tenures to up to five years by the government was seen by the critics as an attack on independence of agencies.[200]

On 8 May 2023, The Supreme Court's amicus curiae K.V. Viswanathan told the court that the extensions granted to Mishra were "invalid" and the changes brought by the government in the law "should be scrapped in the interest of democracy", when the court was hearing petitions challenging the third extension of Mishra.[201] [202]

Suppression of data

Modi's government delayed the release of data on unemployment in 2019. Two members of National Statistical Commission resigned in protest as the release was approved in December 2018 by the commission. The government released the data in May 2019 after the general elections. The government delayed farmer suicide data from 2016 by three years. Before the 2019 general elections, the government did not release data on consumer expenditure, GDP growth, deaths due to lynching, and caste census from 2011.[203] [204]

The government withheld National Crime Records Bureau data for 2017.,[205] discontinued Labour Bureau's quarterly enterprises survey and the Employment-Unemployment Survey, and instead plan to rely on provident fund data for calculation of unemployment, which is widely criticized.[206]

COVID-19 pandemic

See main article: COVID-19 pandemic in India. During the second wave of the pandemic in April 2021, Modi's government launched a new policy for vaccines which allowed Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech to earn huge profit margins making vaccine doses distributed by the private hospitals unaffordable for working-class families in India. The requirement to book the vaccination slots online excluded many Indians who did not have smartphones or internet access.[207]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many estimates, including by The Lancet and World Health Organization, say India undercounted number of deaths, ranging from a factor of 5 to 10 times.[208] [209]

On 30 January 2022, India announced that it administered about 1.7 billion doses of vaccines and more than 720 million people were fully vaccinated.[210]

According to a 2022 study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, over 4.2 million lives were saved in India in 2021 due to vaccination against COVID-19.[211]

See also

References

Sources

Notes and References

  1. News: 20 May 2014 . Narendra Modi appointed Prime Minister, swearing in on May 26 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190402033545/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Home/Lok-Sabha-Elections-2014/News/Narendra-Modi-appointed-Prime-Minister-swearing-in-on-May-26/articleshow/35388297.cms . 2 April 2019 . 21 May 2014 . . PTI.
  2. Web site: Hakeem. Irfan. Narendra Modi saves Rs 125 crore by keeping Cabinet small. 28 May 2014. 17 October 2021. Dnaindia.com. 9 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160809002144/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-narendra-modi-saves-rs-125-crore-by-keeping-cabinet-small-1991782. live.
  3. Web site: 30 May 2019. Modi Swearing-in Highlights: New team blend of youthful energy, experience: PM. 10 January 2021. Live Mint. 11 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210111224126/https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/pm-narendra-modi-swearing-in-oath-ceremony-live-updates-1559197877056.html. live.
  4. Web site: Varma . Shylaja . Who Gets What: Cabinet Portfolios Announced. Full List Here . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190531202350/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cabinet-portfolios-pm-narendra-modis-new-cabinet-ministers-and-their-portfolios-see-full-list-here-2045883 . 31 May 2019 . 10 January 2021 . NDTV.
  5. Web site: 23 September 2020. Narendra Singh Tomar Takes Additional Charge of Food Processing Ministry After Harshimrat Badal Resigns. 10 January 2021. News18. 25 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201025025552/https://www.news18.com/news/politics/narendra-singh-tomar-takes-additional-charge-of-food-processing-ministry-after-harshimrat-badal-resigns-2902557.html. live.
  6. Web site: Frequent change of CMs in BJP-ruled states signs of growing high command culture. 5 November 2021. The New Indian Express. 11 September 2021 . 5 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211105051353/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/sep/11/frequent-change-of-cms-in-bjp-ruled-states-signs-of-growing-high-command-culture-2357361.html. live.
  7. News: Mashal . Mujib . Kumar . Hari . 2024-06-09 . Modi, Striking a Modest Tone, Is Sworn In for a Third Term . 2024-07-02 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  8. News: Sirnate . Vasundhara . The democratic backsliding of India . 30 August 2022 . The Hindu . 27 November 2021 . 30 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220830070248/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-democratic-backsliding-of-india/article37696763.ece . live .
  9. Web site: Akhilesh . Pillalamarri . Why India's Democracy is Not Dying . 22 May 2023 . The Diplomat. 22 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230522073351/https://thediplomat.com/2021/06/why-indias-democracy-is-not-dying/ . live .
  10. Shah. Alpa. Lerche. Jens. India's Democracy: Illusion of Inclusion. Economic & Political Weekly. 10 October 2015. 50. 41. 33–36. 23 October 2021. 28 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230328113150/https://www.epw.in/journal/2015/41/book-reviews/indias-democracy-illusion-inclusion.html. live.
  11. Web site: Sanjeev. Miglani. Krishna N.. Das. India frees up foreign investment in 15 major sectors. Reuters India. 10 November 2015. 10 October 2017. 11 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160611005401/http://in.reuters.com/article/india-reforms-idINKCN0SZ18J20151110. live.
  12. News: Cabinet approves raising FDI cap in defence to 49 per cent, opens up railways . . 7 August 2014 . 17 October 2021 . 17 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211017184753/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/cabinet-approves-raising-fdi-cap-in-defence-to-49-per-cent-opens-up-railways/articleshow/39767641.cms . live .
  13. News: Modi Presses Reform for India—But Is it Enough? . . Raymond . Zhong . 20 November 2014 . 17 October 2021 . 29 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160329123224/http://www.wsj.com/articles/modi-presses-reform-for-india-but-is-it-enough-1416466742 . live .
  14. Web site: 3 September 2015 . Millions strike in India to protest against Modi's labor reforms . 3 November 2023 . CNBC.
  15. Web site: Millions strike in India over government labour reforms . 3 November 2023 . Al Jazeera.
  16. News: Mohan . Archis . 12 May 2020 . Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh asks state units to oppose changes in labour laws . Business Standard India . 28 February 2022 . 28 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220228104519/https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/rss-affiliated-union-asks-state-units-to-oppose-changes-in-labour-laws-120051200035_1.html . live .
  17. News: Budget 2016: Full text of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's speech . The Economic Times . 28 February 2022 . 28 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220228104518/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/budget-2016-full-text-of-finance-minister-arun-jaitleys-speech/articleshow/51194097.cms . live .
  18. Web site: Overview . 28 February 2022 . World Bank. 18 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211118154214/https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/india/overview . live .
  19. Web site: Raymond. Zhong. Anant Vijay. Kala. India Changes GDP Calculation Method. The Wall Street Journal. 30 January 2015. 17 October 2021. 23 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170623084728/https://www.wsj.com/articles/india-changes-gdp-calculation-method-1422622762. live.
  20. Web site: GDP growth slows to 6.1% in Jan-March: Indian economy finally bares its demonetisation scars. Hindustan Times. 1 June 2017. 17 October 2021. 6 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170606060348/http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/gdp-growth-slows-to-6-1-in-jan-march-indian-economy-finally-bares-its-demonetisation-scars/story-FrSaWcT17v3FdysjtuPdWO.html. live.
  21. News: WTO deal failure: Valid reasons why PM Narendra Modi's government refused to yield . The Economic Times . 28 February 2022 . 28 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220228112924/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/wto-deal-failure-valid-reasons-why-pm-narendra-modis-government-refused-to-yield/articleshow/39471767.cms . live .
  22. News: Jha . Somesh . 17 January 2017 . Domestic air passenger traffic grew 23% in 2016. The Hindu . 28 February 2022 . 0971-751X . 28 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230328113306/https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/Domestic-air-passenger-traffic-grew-23-in-2016/article17050073.ece . live .
  23. News: 1 February 2019 . Budget 2019: Who gave India a higher GDP – Modi or Manmohan? . . 6 February 2019 . 9 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190209180042/https://www.businesstoday.in/budget-2019/news/budget-2019-indian-economy-gdp-growth-rate-under-narendra-modi-manmohan-singh/story/315848.html . live .
  24. News: V. . Harini . 14 November 2018 . India's economy is booming. Now comes the hard part . . 6 February 2019 . 21 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065518/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/15/india-economy-modi-faces-inequality-black-money-and-taxes.html . live .
  25. News: 31 May 2019 . Unemployment rate at 45-year high, confirms Labour Ministry data. The Hindu . 28 February 2022 . 0971-751X . 23 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220223030328/https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/unemployment-rate-at-45-year-high-confirms-labour-ministry-data/article62001095.ece . live .
  26. News: Gettleman . Jeffrey . Kumar . Hari . 31 January 2019 . India's Leader Is Accused of Hiding Unemployment Data Before Vote . . 7 February 2019 . 31 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190131203108/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/31/world/asia/india-unemployment-rate.html . live .
  27. News: Kumar . Manoj . Ghoshal . Devjyot . 31 January 2019 . Indian jobless rate at multi-decade high, report says, in blow to Modi . . 7 February 2019 . 9 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190209003057/https://in.reuters.com/article/us-india-economy-jobs/indian-jobless-rate-at-multi-decade-high-report-says-in-blow-to-modi-idINKCN1PP0FX . live .
  28. News: Sengupta . Hindol . October 2019 . The economic mind of Narendra Modi. . 14 January 2021 . 15 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210115100049/https://www.orfonline.org/research/economic-mind-narendra-modi-56004/ . live .
  29. News: 1 February 2020 . GDP growth rate for 2018-19 revised downwards to 6.1 pc . . 14 January 2021 . 26 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230126002208/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/gdp-growth-rate-for-2018-19-revised-downwards-to-6-1-pc/articleshow/73808214.cms . live .
  30. Web site: Mishra . Asit Ranjan . 10 January 2019 . What India GDP growth rate forecast for 2018-19 means . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210116102219/https://www.livemint.com/Politics/zxNzYKQfLHUCB2yR3vKE8J/What-India-GDP-growth-rate-forecast-for-2018-19-means.html . 16 January 2021 . 14 January 2021 . Live Mint.
  31. Web site: Choudhury . Gaurav . Look East, Link West, says PM Modi at Make in India launch . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150927051617/https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/look-east-link-west-says-pm-modi-at-make-in-india-launch/story-mGj6f6mlUmos0BAi27Rl1O.html . 27 September 2015 . Hindustan Times. 25 September 2014 .
  32. Web site: Shrivastava . Rahul . 18 October 2014 . Narendra Modi Government Deregulates Diesel Prices . 17 October 2021 . . 29 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161129152524/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/narendra-modi-government-deregulates-diesel-prices-681104 . live .
  33. Web site: Petrol and Diesel Prices . 28 February 2022 . PRS Legislative Research. 28 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220228140905/https://prsindia.org/theprsblog/petrol-and-diesel-prices . live .
  34. Web site: The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 . 28 February 2022 . PRS Legislative Research. 28 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220228140648/https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-right-to-fair-compensation-and-transparency-in-land-acquisition-rehabilitation-and-resettlement-second-amendment-bill-2015 . live .
  35. Web site: Riley . Charles . 10 November 2015 . GE to build 1,000 trains for India in massive deal . 17 October 2021 . . 27 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220627063414/https://money.cnn.com/2015/11/10/news/india-railways-ge/ . live .
  36. Web site: Narayan . Adi . 9 November 2015 . India's $5.6 Billion GE, Alstom Deals Step Up Rail Overhaul . 17 October 2021 . . 24 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210824043640/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-09/ge-wins-2-6-billion-contract-to-make-1-000-locomotives-in-india . live .
  37. Web site: 13 December 2015 . Japan and India sign bullet train deal amid closer ties . 17 October 2021 . . 17 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151217074732/http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35086944 . live .
  38. Web site: 1 April 2020 . Young Indian startups hit as investors get cautious . 15 January 2021 . . 22 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200522124414/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/young-indian-startups-hit-as-investors-get-cautious/1787866 . live .
  39. News: June 2020 . The Indian Economic Journal. 68 . . 2 . dead . 15 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210121065451/https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/iej/current . 21 January 2021.
  40. Web site: Pragati: Journal of Indian Economy . 15 January 2021 . journalpressindia.com. 21 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210121023506/https://www.journalpressindia.com/pragati-journal-of-indian-economy . live .
  41. Web site: Yunus . Muhammad . Muhammad Yunus . 5 May 2020 . Muhammad Yunus: Don't plan for economic 'recovery' post-Covid. Redesign it from scratch . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201121180607/https://theprint.in/opinion/muhammad-yunus-dont-plan-for-economic-recovery-post-covid-redesign-it-from-scratch/414357/ . 21 November 2020 . 15 January 2021 . ThePrint.
  42. Chaudhary . Monika . Sodani . P. R. . Das . Shankar . 1 June 2020 . Effect of COVID-19 on Economy in India: Some Reflections for Policy and Programme . Journal of Health Management. 22 . 2 . 169–180 . 10.1177/0972063420935541 . 0972-0634 . free.
  43. Web site: 13 May 2020 . PM Modi Speech Highlights: To battle Covid-19, Rs 20,00,000 crore economic package . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210109130908/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/coronavirus-india-lockdown-live-news-updates-pm-modi-address-to-nation-speech-today-lockdown-extension-6406297/ . 9 January 2021 . 15 January 2021 . The Indian Express.
  44. News: Chitravanshi . Ruchika . Sikarwar . Deepshikha . 25 May 2015 . Infrastructure push: Modi government steps up to improve roads, increase connectivity . . 17 October 2021 . 17 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211017161143/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/infrastructure-push-modi-government-steps-up-to-improve-roads-increase-connectivity/articleshow/47409210.cms . live .
  45. Web site: 29 May 2015 . PM Modi speeds up capital spending on roads, rural infrastructure, railways in April to boost growth . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150530064724/http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/pm-modi-speeds-up-spending-on-roads-railways-and-rural-infra-in-april-to-boost-economic-growth/article1-1352764.aspx . 30 May 2015 . 3 October 2015 . Hindustan Times.
  46. Web site: Vijay Pinjarkar . 3 February 2022 . Allocation to forest and wildlife sector not satisfactory: Experts . 28 February 2022 . The Times of India. 28 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220228112244/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/allocation-to-forest-and-wildlife-sector-not-satisfactory-experts/articleshow/89305612.cms . live .
  47. Web site: 3 December 2018 . Fact Checking Congress party's claims about Public expenditure on Education & Health . 28 February 2022 . FACTLY. 28 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220228112246/https://factly.in/fact-checking-congress-partys-claims-about-public-expenditure-on-education-health/ . live .
  48. Manor . James . 2015 . A Precarious Enterprise? Multiple Antagonisms during Year One of the Modi Government . South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies . 38 . 4 . 736–754 . 10.1080/00856401.2015.1083644 . 155472230 . 23 October 2021 . 23 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211023134125/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1083644?journalCode=csas20 . live .
  49. News: Cities should get chance to plan their growth, says Modi . 25 June 2015 . . 27 June 2015 . New Delhi . 6 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160106133029/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prime-minister-narendra-modi-launches-smart-cities-mission/article7353823.ece . live .
  50. Web site: Preetam . Kaushik . Smart Villages: Lending A Rural Flavour To Modi's Growth Agenda . . 25 November 2014 . 3 October 2015 . 4 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151004164239/http://www.businessinsider.in/Smart-Villages-Lending-A-Rural-Flavour-To-Modis-Growth-Agenda/articleshow/45271399.cms . live .
  51. Web site: About the GiveItUp Campaign. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. 19 October 2021. 28 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211228221626/https://www.givitup.in/about.html. live.
  52. Web site: PM thanks 1 crore people for giving up LPG subsidy to help poor. 23 April 2016. 19 October 2021. 8 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108104313/https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/pm-thanks-1-crore-people-giving-lpg-subsidy-help-poor/. live.
  53. News: Give-it-Up: Over 1 crore LPG users gave up their subsidies. The Economic Times. 12 April 2016. 19 October 2021. 2 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210902044717/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/oil-gas/give-it-up-over-1-crore-lpg-users-gave-up-their-subsidies/articleshow/51929960.cms. live.
  54. Web site: Maharashtra leads in surrendering LPG subsidy. The Indian Express. 23 April 2016. 19 October 2021. 18 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230418144200/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-leads-in-surrendering-lpg-subsidy-2766427/. live.
  55. Web site: 13 March 2024 . PM Modi Inaugurated Semiconductor Projects, Aiming for India's Technological Empowerment . 3 April 2024 . Prabhat Khabar.
  56. Web site: India scraps 500 and 1,000 rupee bank notes overnight. 8 November 2016. 8 November 2016. BBC News. 8 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161108232326/http://www.bbc.com/news/business-37906742. live.
  57. News: In an attempt to curb black money, PM Narendra Modi declares Rs 500, 1000 notes to be invalid . 9 November 2016 . 9 November 2016 . . 14 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180614001409/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/in-an-attempt-to-curb-black-money-pm-narendra-modi-declares-rs-500-1000-notes-to-be-void-from-midnight/articleshow/55315932.cms . live .
  58. News: Cracking down on black money, scrutiny of shell firms stepped up. https://web.archive.org/web/20170817000336/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/cracking-down-on-black-money-scrutiny-of-shell-firms-stepped-up/articleshow/60086235.cms. 16 August 2017. 16 August 2017. 17 August 2017. The Times of India. dead.
  59. News: In crackdown on shell companies, ED raids 110 locations in 16 states. 2 April 2017. 7 September 2017. The Times of India. 19 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170919193102/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/in-crackdown-on-shell-companies-ed-raids-110-locations-in-16-states/articleshow/57968674.cms. live.
  60. News: Rahul. Shrivastava. Black money crackdown: Bank accounts of 2.1 lakh shell companies frozen. 5 September 2017. 7 September 2017. India Today. 7 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170907010320/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/black-money-bank-accounts-shell-companies-under-radar/1/1041661.html. live.
  61. News: Gireesh Chandra. Prasad. Govt blacklists 300,000 directors of shell companies. 7 September 2017. 7 September 2017. Live Mint. 7 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170907000345/http://www.livemint.com/Companies/OiGrM24CxcGUdT94Tk6nAJ/Govt-blacklists-300000-directors-of-shell-companies.html. live.
  62. Web site: 31 August 2015 . Over 300 cities identified for 'Housing for All' scheme . 20 October 2022 . Business Today. 20 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221020085016/https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/economy-politics/story/housing-for-all-scheme-over-300-cities-identified-52327-2015-08-31 . live .
  63. Web site: 18 June 2015 . Housing for All scheme gets govt nod: All you need to know . 20 October 2022 . Business Today. 20 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221020085017/https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/economy-politics/story/housing-for-all-scheme-gets-govt-nod-all-you-need-to-know-48129-2015-06-18 . live .
  64. News: Bharat Bandh Called on Monday, Tuesday: Your 10-Point Guide . 27 March 2022 . NDTV.com . 27 March 2022 . 27 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220327113804/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bharat-bandh-bank-strike-called-on-monday-tuesday-your-10-point-guide-to-march-28-march-29-workers-protest-2846165 . live .
  65. Palshikar. Suhas. The BJP and Hindu Nationalism: Centrist Politics and Majoritarian Impulses. Journal of South Asian Studies. 2015. 38. 4. 719–735. 10.1080/00856401.2015.1089460. 147143160. 23 October 2021. 23 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211023134735/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1089460?journalCode=csas20. live.
  66. News: Ara . Ismat . Exclusive: UP Police Report Contradicts Adityanath Claim of 'Rise in Love Jihad' . 10 September 2022 . . 23 November 2020 . 9 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220909202017/https://thewire.in/women/up-police-report-adityanath-love-jihad-cases . live .
  67. News: NIA Finds No Evidence of 'Love Jihad' After Kerala Probe . 10 September 2022 . . 18 October 2018 . 9 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220909202017/https://thewire.in/politics/nia-love-jihad-kerala-hadiya . live .
  68. News: 'Love Jihad' Not Defined by Laws, No Case Reported, Says Govt . 10 September 2022 . . PTI . 4 February 2020 . 9 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220909202021/https://thewire.in/communalism/love-jihad-cases-govt . live .
  69. News: MS . Sreeja . Kumar . Akhil . Karnataka Officer Transferred After His Survey Showed No Forced Conversion . 10 September 2022 . . 16 December 2021 . 9 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220909202022/https://www.ndtv.com/karnataka-news/karnataka-officer-transferred-after-his-survey-showed-no-forced-conversion-2655110 . live .
  70. Web site: Indian PM Modi refuses to fire minister for attack on non-Hindus. Dawn. Pakistan. 4 December 2014. 28 February 2022. 28 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220228135944/https://www.dawn.com/news/1148772. live.
  71. News: Anita . Joshua . Choice of ICHR chief reignites saffronisation debate . . 16 July 2014 . 20 August 2014 . 2 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141202181112/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/choice-of-ichr-chief-reignites-saffronisation-debate/article6214483.ece . live .
  72. News: Akshaya . Mukul . Right-wingers question ICHR chief selection . . 18 July 2014 . 20 August 2014 . 21 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140721002055/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Right-wingers-question-ICHR-chief-selection/articleshow/38581467.cms . live .
  73. Web site: India's lower house passes citizenship bill that excludes Muslims. Al Jazeera. 8 January 2019. 21 October 2021. 17 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200917072618/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/india-house-passes-citizenship-bill-excludes-muslims-190108145755215.html. live.
  74. Web site: Apoorvanand. Apoorvanand. The new citizenship bill and the Hinduisation of India. Al Jazeera. 12 January 2019. 21 October 2021. 14 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191214221812/https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/citizenship-bill-hinduisation-india-190110141421871.html. live.
  75. Web site: Supreme Court hearing ends in Ayodhya dispute; orders reserved. 16 October 2019. 23 April 2021. Business Line. Chennai. Press Trust of India. 23 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191023101322/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/supreme-court-hearing-ends-in-ayodhya-dispute-orders-reserved/article29710840.ece. live.
  76. Web site: Ram Mandir verdict: Supreme Court verdict on Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case: Highlights. 9 November 2019. 23 April 2021. The Times of India. 9 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191109143026/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ayodhya-babri-masjid-ram-mandir-case-verdict-highlights-supreme-court-declared-verdict-on-ram-janmabhoomi-case/articleshow/71978918.cms. live.
  77. Web site: 5 August 2020. Modi becomes first PM to visit Ram Janmabhoomi, Hanumangarhi temple in Ayodhya. 23 April 2021. The Financial Express. 29 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210129155011/https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/modi-becomes-first-pm-to-visit-ram-janmabhoomi-hanumangarhi-temple-in-ayodhya/2046074/. live.
  78. Web site: Kumar Shakti Shekhar . 13 December 2021 . Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project: How BJP is casting PM Modi in Hindu queen Ahilyabai Holkar's mould . 28 August 2022 . The Times of India. 28 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220828090335/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kashi-vishwanath-corridor-project-how-bjp-is-casting-pm-modi-in-hindu-queen-ahilyabai-holkars-mould/articleshow/88247567.cms . live .
  79. Web site: PM Modi inaugurates Kashi Vishwanath Corridor . 28 August 2022 . The Indian Express . 14 February 2022. 28 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220828085224/https://indianexpress.com/photos/india-news/pm-modi-inaugurates-kashi-vishwanath-corridor-7670093/ . live .
  80. What's Next for India's Muslims After Delhi Riots? . Time . 3 March 2020.
  81. News: Shih . Gerry . Gupta . Anant . How bulldozers in India became a symbol of Hindu nationalism . 10 September 2022 . . 27 April 2022 . 28 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220428063243/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/27/india-hindus-muslims-bulldozers-demolitions/ . live .
  82. News: Raja . Aditi . Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: 'UPA govt left coffers empty, making it difficult for us' . . 16 May 2016 . 21 October 2021 . 23 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210623100232/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/upa-left-empty-coffers-amit-shah-in-dahod-2802047/ . live .
  83. Web site: 100 cases of instant triple talaq in the country since the SC judgement. 28 December 2017. 21 October 2021. The Times of India. 26 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181226061622/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/66-cases-of-triple-talaq-in-the-country-since-the-sc-judgement-law-minister/articleshow/62279519.cms. live.
  84. News: Lok Sabha passes triple talaq bill. The Hindu. 28 December 2017. 21 October 2021. Phukan. Sandeep. 26 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181226061624/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lok-sabha-passes-the-triple-talaq-bill/article22319663.ece. live.
  85. Web site: Sandipan. Sharma. Congress' backing of triple talaq bill indicates it's gradually withdrawing from Muslim appeasement politics. 28 December 2017. 21 October 2021. Firstpost. 30 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190730145506/https://www.firstpost.com/politics/congress-backing-of-triple-talaq-bill-indicates-its-gradually-withdrawing-from-muslim-appeasement-politics-4279223.html. live.
  86. News: Congress backs triple talaq bill, Khurshid strikes discordant note. The Economic Times. 28 December 2017. 21 October 2021. 30 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190730213944/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/congress-backs-triple-talaq-bill-khurshid-strikes-discordant-note/articleshow/62283011.cms. live.
  87. News: Fresh triple talaq Bill introduced in Lok Sabha, Opposition members protest. The Economic Times. 21 June 2019. 31 July 2019. 23 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190823070952/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/fresh-triple-talaq-bill-introduced-in-lok-sabha-oppositon-members-protest/articleshow/69891244.cms. live.
  88. Web site: The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019. Lok Sabha India Website. 30 July 2019. 30 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190730141051/http://164.100.47.4/BillsTexts/LSBillTexts/PassedLoksabha/82_Eng_Muslim_2019.pdf. live.
  89. News: Lok Sabha passes instant talaq bill; JDU walks out. The Economic Times. 26 July 2019. 26 July 2019. 7 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201107230128/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/lok-sabha-passes-triple-talaq-bill-over-to-rajya-sabha-now/articleshow/70381627.cms. live.
  90. Web site: Triple talaq bill passed in Rajya Sabha. https://web.archive.org/web/20190730134908/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/triple-talaq-bill-passed-in-rajya-sabha-1575309-2019-07-30. India Today. 30 July 2019. 30 July 2019. 30 July 2019.
  91. News: President Ram Nath Kovind gives assent to triple talaq Bill. The Hindu. 1 August 2019. 27 February 2020. 27 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200227203132/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/president-ram-nath-kovind-gives-assent-to-triple-talaq-bill/article28780061.ece. live.
  92. News: Salam . Ziya Us . 13 August 2022 . Five years after Supreme Court's triple talaq verdict, petitioners living life as 'half-divorcees' . The Hindu . 18 August 2022 . 18 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220818123803/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/five-years-after-supreme-courts-triple-talaq-verdict-petitioners-living-life-as-half-divorcees/article65765026.ece . live .
  93. News: Sparing Mr Modi's blushes. The Economist. 9 November 2016. 27 June 2015. 30 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170130055250/http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21656239-missing-data-should-embarrass-prime-minister-sparing-mr-modis-blushes. live.
  94. Sharma. Dinesh C.. India's BJP Government and health: 1 year on. The Lancet. 23 May 2015. 385. 9982. 2031–2. 10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60977-1. 26009217. 10544022. free.
  95. Schmidt. Charles W.. Beyond Malnutrition: The Role of Sanitation in Stunted Growth. Environmental Health Perspectives. November 2014. 122. 11. A298-303. 10.1289/ehp.122-A298. 25360801. 4216152.
  96. Jeffrey. Robin. Clean India! Symbols, Policies and Tensions. South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies. 2015. 38. 4. 807–819. 10.1080/00856401.2015.1088504. 147169571. 23 October 2021. 23 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211023135343/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1088504. live.
  97. News: Lakshmi . Rama . India is building millions of toilets, but that's the easy part . . 4 June 2015 . 3 October 2015 . 4 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151004140239/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/india-is-building-millions-of-toilets-but-toilet-training-could-be-a-bigger-task/2015/06/03/09d1aa9e-095a-11e5-a7ad-b430fc1d3f5c_story.html . live .
  98. News: India steps up efforts to encourage use of toilets . . Mandakini . Gahlot . 3 April 2015 . 21 October 2021 . 16 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170816194615/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/04/03/globalpost-india-toilet/25236383/ . live .
  99. News: The Final Frontier . . 19 July 2014 . 21 October 2021 . 6 February 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170206112403/http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21607837-fixing-dreadful-sanitation-india-requires-not-just-building-lavatories-also-changing . live .
  100. News: India Plans $1.3-Billion Sewage Plants in Towns Along the Ganges . . Archana . Chaudhary . 18 May 2015 . 21 October 2021 . 29 July 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160729185058/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-18/india-plans-1-3-billion-sewage-plants-in-towns-along-the-ganges . live .
  101. Web site: Vanessa . Jones . Severe Cut-Backs Expected in PM's Ambitious Health Care Plan for India . . 31 March 2015 . 3 October 2015 . 4 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151004084222/http://www.medindia.net/news/ambitious-health-care-plan-by-pm-narendra-modi-faces-delays-147823-1.htm . live .
  102. News: Aditya . Kalra . Exclusive: Modi govt puts brakes on India's universal health plan . . 27 March 2015 . 21 October 2021 . 24 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161024132505/http://in.reuters.com/article/india-health-idINKBN0MM2UT20150327 . live .
  103. Web site: Neetu Chandra . Sharma . Modi government's healthcare schemes have brought smiles on some faces and disappointed a few: One year of Modi . . 5 May 2015 . 3 October 2015 . 4 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151004122141/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/narendra-modi-government-healthcare-goals-one-year/1/433670.html . live .
  104. News: Taneja. Richa. Modicare, World's Largest National Health Protection Scheme: All You Need To Know. NDTV. 2 February 2018. 21 October 2021. 9 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109043306/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/modicare-worlds-largest-national-health-protection-scheme-all-you-need-to-know-1807875. live.
  105. News: 'Modicare' to be launched on Aug 15 or Oct 2: Sources. The Times of India. 2 February 2018. 21 October 2021. 9 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109035122/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/national-health-protection-scheme-to-be-implemented-from-oct-2/articleshow/62757339.cms. live.
  106. News: Union Budget 2018: Ayushman Bharat to be the world's biggest healthcare scheme, says PM Modi. Business Today. 1 February 2018. 21 October 2021. 14 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210314181736/https://www.businesstoday.in/union-budget-2018-19/news/union-budget-2018-19-live-updates-arun-jaitley-speech-parliament/story/269260.html. live.
  107. News: Pilla. Viswanath. Saraswathy. M. National Health Protection Scheme: Modi government has its task cut out. Moneycontrol. 2 February 2018. 21 October 2021. 18 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230418203155/https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/economy/policy/budget-2018-national-health-protection-scheme-will-the-costs-match-up-2498531.html. live.
  108. News: Budget 2018: Jaitley announces 'world's largest healthcare programme'. The Hindu. 1 February 2018. 21 October 2021. 21 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210421041501/https://www.thehindu.com/business/budget/budget-2018-jaitley-announces-worlds-largest-healthcare-programme/article22618631.ece. live.
  109. News: Krishna. Prabodh. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana: Boon Or Bane. Businessworld. 7 July 2017. 21 October 2021. 23 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220123132155/http://www.businessworld.in/article/-Pradhan-Mantri-Kaushal-Vikas-Yojana-Boon-Or-Bane/07-07-2017-121649/. live.
  110. Puri. Natasha. 30 August 2019. A Review of the National Education Policy of the Government of India – The Need for Data and Dynamism in the 21st Century. Rochester, NY. 3472247. Social Science Research Network (SSRN).
  111. Sharma . Madhulika . 31 March 2016 . Narendra Modi and the new education policy: retrospection, reform and reality . Journal of Asian Public Policy . 9 . 2 . 140–153 . 10.1080/17516234.2016.1165330 . 155156332 . 23 October 2021 . 23 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211023135023/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17516234.2016.1165330?journalCode=rapp20 . live .
  112. News: Nanda . Prashant K. . Education in 4 years of Modi government: Implementation remains a key hurdle . 27 March 2019 . . 26 May 2018 . 27 March 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190327180540/https://www.livemint.com/Politics/zOwRwPTKYp1SKPflDAY2QI/Education-in-4-years-of-Modi-government-Implementation-rema.html . live .
  113. News: New national education policy may remain an unfinished agenda of Modi government before 2019 elections . 27 March 2019 . . 20 October 2018 . 27 March 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190327180538/https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/new-national-education-policy-may-remain-an-unfinished-agenda-of-modi-government-before-2019-elections/1354902/ . live .
  114. Web site: Akila. Radhakrishnan. Draft New Education Policy and Schools for the Skilling Age. 16 September 2019. 21 October 2021. The Hindu Centre. 25 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210925184205/https://www.thehinducentre.com/the-arena/current-issues/article29349517.ece. live.
  115. Web site: 29 July 2020. New Education Policy 2020 Highlights: School and higher education to see major changes. 10 January 2021. Hindustan Times. 30 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200730001724/https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/new-education-policy-2020-live-updates-important-takeaways/story-yYm1QaeNyFW4uTTU3g9bJO.html. live.
  116. Hall. Ian. Is a 'Modi doctrine' emerging in Indian foreign policy?. Australian Journal of International Affairs. 69. 3. 247–252. 2015. 10.1080/10357718.2014.1000263. 154260676. 23 October 2021. 23 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211023135456/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10357718.2014.1000263. live.
  117. Grare. Frederic. India–Pakistan Relations: Does Modi Matter?. The Washington Quarterly. Winter 2015. 37. 4. 101–114. 10.1080/0163660X.2014.1002158. 153923833. 23 October 2021. 23 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211023135601/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0163660X.2014.1002158. live.
  118. Pant. Harsh V.. Modi's Unexpected Boost to India-U.S. Relations. The Washington Quarterly. Fall 2014. 37. 3. 97–112. 10.1080/0163660X.2014.978438. 154940836. 23 October 2021. 23 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211023135713/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0163660X.2014.978438. live.
  119. News: In a first, Modi invites SAARC leaders for his swearing-in . . 21 May 2014 . 24 May 2014 . Swami, Praveen . Chennai, India . 25 May 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140525000959/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/in-a-first-modi-invites-saarc-leaders-for-his-swearingin/article6033710.ece . live .
  120. Hall. Ian. Multialignment and Indian Foreign Policy under Narendra Modi. The Round Table. 105. 3. 271–286. 2016. 10.1080/00358533.2016.1180760. 156737878. 23 October 2021. 23 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211023140500/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00358533.2016.1180760?journalCode=ctrt20. live.
  121. Mocko. Anne. Penjore. Dorji. Nepal and Bhutan in 2014. Asian Survey. 2015. 55. 1. 75–81. 10.1525/AS.2015.55.1.75. 1885/13357. free.
  122. Downie. Edmund. Manipur and India's 'Act East' Policy. The Diplomat. 25 February 2015. 22 October 2021. 22 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211022142300/https://thediplomat.com/2015/02/manipur-and-indias-act-east-policy/. live.
  123. Web site: Rahul Roy-Chaudhury . 7 August 2018 . inclusive Indo-Pacific policy . The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) . 11 May 2023 . 11 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230511141644/https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/online-analysis//2018/08/modi-free-open-inclusive . live .
  124. Web site: 19 February 2020 . Aman Thakker . A Free and Open Indo-Pacific Needs a Free and Open India . . 11 May 2023 . 22 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230322152336/https://thediplomat.com/2020/02/a-free-and-open-indo-pacific-needs-a-free-and-open-india/ . live .
  125. Joshi. Shashank. India's Nuclear Anxieties: The Debate Over Doctrine. Arms Control Today. May 2015. 22 October 2021. 24 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210924234335/https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2015-05/features/india%E2%80%99s-nuclear-anxieties-debate-over-doctrine. live.
  126. C. Ladwig. Walter III. Indian Military Modernization and Conventional Deterrence in South Asia. Journal of Strategic Studies. 38. 5. 729–772. May 2015. 10.1080/01402390.2015.1014473. 216088396. 10 December 2019. 28 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230328114813/https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/indian-military-modernization-and-conventional-deterrence-in-south-asia(50860673-4327-4472-8c74-5e3536d0117b).html. live.
  127. News: India Increases Military Budget By 11% to Nearly $40 Billion . . Santanu . Choudhury . 28 February 2015 . 22 October 2021 . 14 January 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170114153222/http://www.wsj.com/articles/india-increases-military-budget-by-11-to-nearly-40-billion-1425124095 . live .
  128. Singh. M. Amarjeet. Narendra Modi and Northeast India: development, insurgency and illegal migration. Journal of Asian Public Policy. 2016. 9. 2. 112–127. 10.1080/17516234.2016.1165313. 155231943. 23 October 2021. 23 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211023140801/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17516234.2016.1165313?journalCode=rapp20. live.
  129. Web site: Kashyap . Samudra Gupta . Towards the Govt-Naga peace accord: Everything you need to know . . 4 August 2015 . 30 November 2016 . 28 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161128123558/http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/simply-put-towards-accord-step-by-step/ . live .
  130. News: PM slams Pakistan on terror: 10 quotes from Narendra Modi's speech in Kozhikode . . 24 September 2016 . 22 October 2021 . 19 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161119141653/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/pm-narendra-modi-kozhikode-kerala-speech-bjp-pakistan-uri-attack-3048273/ . live .
  131. Web site: Kashmir attack: India 'launches strikes against militants'. BBC News. 30 September 2016. 29 September 2016. 30 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160930034806/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37504308. live.
  132. News: Myers. Steven Lee. Barry. Ellen. Fisher. Max. 26 July 2017. How India and China Have Come to the Brink Over a Remote Mountain Pass. The New York Times. live. 10 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20170827150313/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/26/world/asia/dolam-plateau-china-india-bhutan.html. 27 August 2017. 0362-4331.
  133. Web site: 29 August 2017. Bhutan welcomes end of Doklam standoff . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170829202116/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bhutan-welcomes-end-of-dokalam-standoff/articleshow/60274631.cms. 29 August 2017. 10 January 2021. The Times of India.
  134. Web site: Ministry of Defence. Ministry of Defence (India). July 2016. Key Accomplishments. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190810011806/https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/accomplishments.pdf. 10 August 2019. 10 January 2021. modigov.in. .
  135. Web site: Rajagopalan. Rajeswari Pillai. New Terror Attack Exposes India's Limited Options. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190216125212/https://thediplomat.com/2019/02/new-terror-attack-exposes-indias-limited-options/. 15 February 2019. 16 February 2019. 10 January 2021. The Diplomat.
  136. News: Abi-Habib. Maria. Yasir. Sameer. Kumar. Hari. 15 February 2019. India Blames Pakistan for Attack in Kashmir, Promising a Response. The New York Times. live. 10 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20190223135448/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/world/asia/kashmir-attack-pulwama.html. 23 February 2019. 0362-4331. The terrorist who claimed responsibility for the attack, Aadil Ahmad Dar, was from a village about six miles from where the Indian convoy was struck, in contrast to the fighters and weapons that once streamed in from Pakistani-occupied areas to sustain the insurgency. And the explosives he packed into his car appear to have been locally procured, security experts said..
  137. Web site: 18 February 2019. Raj. Shekhar. Pulwama attack mastermind Abdul Rasheed Ghazi killed by security forces in Kashmir . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190218075855/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pulwama-attack-mastermind-abdul-rasheed-ghazi-killed-by-security-forces-in-kashmir/articleshow/68044481.cms. 18 February 2019. 10 January 2021. The Times of India.
  138. Web site: Prabhu. Sunil. India Strikes After Pulwama Terror Attack, Hits Biggest Jaish-e-Mohammed Camp in Balakot. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190227053325/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-struck-biggest-training-camp-of-jaish-in-balakot-large-number-of-terrorists-eliminated-governm-1999390. 26 February 2019. 27 February 2019. 10 January 2021. NDTV.
  139. Web site: Indian Air Strike Destroys Terror Camp in Pakistan, Upto 350 Terrorists Killed. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190227181954/https://www.bloombergquint.com/politics/pre-dawn-indian-air-strike-destroys-jem-camp-in-pakistan-sources-say-up-to-350-terrorists-killed-3. 26 February 2019. 27 February 2019. 10 January 2021. BloombergQuint.
  140. News: 26 February 2019. Viewpoint: Balakot air strikes raise stakes in India-Pakistan stand-off. BBC News. live. 10 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20190227061938/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47370608. 27 February 2019.
  141. Web site: 1 May 2020. PM Modi pushes for reduction in imports in defence sector. 10 January 2021. Live Mint. 11 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210111211916/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/pm-modi-pushes-for-reduction-in-imports-in-defence-sector-11588270946658.html. live.
  142. Book: Subramaniam, Arjun. Full Spectrum: India's Wars, 1972-2020. India

    Harper Collins

    . 2020. 9789353578060. 451–471. 15 June 2022. 28 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230328115027/https://books.google.com/books?id=i-f1DwAAQBAJ. live.
  143. Web site: Rezaul H.. Laskar. Rahul. Singh. Sutirtho. Patranobis. 18 June 2020. India warns China of serious impact on ties, Modi talks of 'befitting' reply. 10 January 2021. Hindustan Times. 17 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200617224335/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-warns-china-of-serious-impact-on-ties-modi-talks-of-befitting-reply/story-pWgAXVlQT7yeQnepFpzj3O.html. live.
  144. News: Sudarshan. V.. 1 June 2020. A phantom called the Line of Actual Control. The Hindu. 10 January 2021. 0971-751X. 3 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200603120445/https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-phantom-called-the-line-of-actual-control/article31717488.ece. live.
  145. Kothari. Ashish. A Hundred Days Closer to Ecological and Social Suicide. Economic & Political Weekly. 27 September 2014. 23 October 2021. 49. 39. 23 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211023121755/https://www.epw.in/journal/2014/39/commentary/hundred-days-closer-ecological-and-social-suicide.html. live.
  146. News: Barry. Ellen. Bagri. Neha Thirani. Narendra Modi, Favoring Growth in India, Pares Back Environmental Rules. The New York Times. 4 December 2014. 23 October 2021. 5 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141205061053/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/05/world/indian-leader-favoring-growth-sweeps-away-environmental-rules.html. live.
  147. Kumar. Sanjay. India eases stance on GM crop trials. Nature. 12 May 2015. 521 . 7551. 138–9. 10.1038/521138a. 25971488. 2015Natur.521..138K. free.
  148. News: Chaudhury. Dipanjan Roy. United Nations 'Champion of Earth' award for PM Narendra Modi. The Economic Times. 27 September 2018. 24 November 2020. 28 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210128192813/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/un-champion-of-earth-award-for-pm-narendra-modi/articleshow/65973252.cms. live.
  149. News: Explained : Why is India ranked at the bottom of the 2022 Environmental Performance Index? . 21 August 2022 . The Hindu . 11 June 2022 . 20 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220820204900/https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/explained-why-is-india-ranked-at-the-bottom-of-the-2022-environmental-performance-index/article65511480.ece . live .
  150. Wyatt. Andrew. India in 2014. Asian Survey. 2015. 55. 1. 33–47. 10.1525/AS.2015.55.1.33. 1983/e5eeb791-2072-45b8-94b5-fc003dbb5a24. 4 November 2018. 5 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181105012256/https://research-information.bristol.ac.uk/files/34843877/FINAL_PDF_offprint_AS5501_04_Wyatt_India.pdf. live.
  151. Sen. Ronojoy. House Matters: The BJP, Modi and Parliament. Journal of South Asian Studies. 2015. 38. 4. 776–790. 10.1080/00856401.2015.1091200. 147683722. 23 October 2021. 23 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211023134505/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1091200?journalCode=csas20. live.
  152. Stepan. Alfred. India, Sri Lanka, and the Majoritarian Danger. Journal of Democracy. January 2015. 26. 1. 128–140. 10.1353/jod.2015.0006. 153861198. 23 October 2021. 7 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220107105026/https://muse.jhu.edu/article/565644. live.
  153. News: Modi replaces Planning Commission, aiming to boost growth . . 1 January 2015 . 23 October 2021 . 23 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151023124648/http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/01/01/india-planningcommission-modi-idINKBN0KA1NA20150101 . live .
  154. Sengupta. Mitu. Modi Planning: What the NITI Aayog Suggests about the Aspirations and Practices of the Modi Government. Journal of South Asian Studies. 2015. 38. 4. 791–806. 10.1080/00856401.2015.1088609. 156027018. 23 October 2021. 23 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211023141404/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1088609?journalCode=csas20. live.
  155. Patnaik. Prabhat. From the Planning Commission to the NITI Aayog. Economic & Political Weekly. 24 January 2015. 23 October 2021. 50. 4. 23 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211023123743/https://www.epw.in/journal/2015/4/commentary/planning-commission-niti-aayog.html. live.
  156. Ruparelia. Sanjay. 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance': The Restructuring of Power in Modi's India. Journal of South Asian Studies. 2015. 38. 4. 755–775. 10.1080/00856401.2015.1089974. 155182560. 23 October 2021. 23 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211023133827/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1089974?journalCode=csas20. live.
  157. Web site: It's all work, no holiday for babus in Modi govt . https://web.archive.org/web/20150510093308/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/it-s-all-work-no-holiday-for-babus-in-modi-govt/article1-1345644.aspx . dead . 10 May 2015 . 10 May 2015 . 23 October 2021 . .
  158. News: Ellis-Petersen . Hannah . Hassan . Aakash . How a terrorism law in India is being used to silence Modi's critics . 12 December 2022 . . 10 December 2021 . 7 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221207234817/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/10/how-terrorism-law-india-used-to-silence-modis-critics . live .
  159. Web site: Lok Sabha passes 2 bills to repeal 245 archaic laws. 19 December 2017. 11 January 2021. The Economic Times. 13 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210213053120/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/lok-sabha-passes-2-bills-to-repeal-245-archaic-laws/articleshow/62135666.cms. live.
  160. Web site: 2024-06-14 . With new criminal laws, rights won in Supreme Court can be overturned by government . 2024-06-30 . The Indian Express . en.
  161. Web site: Bhalla . Vineet . 2024-01-07 . How Modi government's new criminal laws drastically increase police powers . 2024-06-30 . Scroll.in . en.
  162. Web site: From Legislation to Litigation: Hurdles and Prospects in the Freshly Minted Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 . 2024-06-30 . legalserviceindia.com.
  163. Web site: 12 September 2014. IITs, others to develop technologies for rural development. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201124095956/https://zeenews.india.com/news/sci-tech/iits-others-to-develop-technologies-for-rural-development_1468600.html. 24 November 2020. 11 January 2021. Zee News.
  164. Web site: 30 October 2014. IITs to adopt ten villagesIITs to adopt ten villages. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201124103139/https://zeenews.india.com/news/india/iits-to-adopt-ten-villagesiits-to-adopt-ten-villages_1491828.html. 24 November 2020. 11 January 2021. Zee News.
  165. Web site: The Authoritarian Roots of India's Democracy . 6 February 2024 . Journal of Democracy.
  166. News: 3 February 2021 . EIU Democracy Index 2020: India's rank slips 2 places, 'democratic backsliding' blamed for fall . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210206153046/https://www.cnbctv18.com/politics/eiu-democracy-index-2020-indias-rank-slips-2-places-democratic-backsliding-blamed-for-fall-8195181.htm . 6 February 2021 . 30 August 2022 . CNBC-TV18.
  167. Christophe Jaffrelot (2023). Modi's India: Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Ethnic Democracy . Princeton University Press.
  168. News: Gupta . Shekhar . Modi is popular, BJP keeps winning, but India's indicators & global rankings are alarming . 29 April 2023 . . 19 December 2020 . 29 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230429073519/https://theprint.in/national-interest/modi-is-popular-bjp-keeps-winning-but-indias-indicators-global-rankings-are-alarming/569789/ . live .
  169. News: Sharp Downslide: India Slips 11 Ranks in Press Freedom Index, Now 161 of 180 Countries . 3 May 2023 . . 3 May 2023 . 3 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503064702/https://thewire.in/media/rsf-press-freedom-index-india . live .
  170. News: Bureau . The Hindu . India slips in World Press Freedom Index, ranks 161 out of 180 countries . 3 May 2023 . . 3 May 2023 . 3 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503063559/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-slips-in-world-press-freedom-index-ranks-161-out-of-180-countries/article66806608.ece . live .
  171. Web site: India's score declined significantly in recent years in EIU Democracy Index . Deccan Herald . 10 February 2022 . 30 August 2022 . 21 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221021205109/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/indias-score-declined-significantly-in-recent-years-in-eiu-democracy-index-1080071.html . live .
  172. Price, G. (2022). Democracy in India. [online] Chatham House – International Affairs Think Tank. Available at: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2022/04/democracy-india .
  173. Web site: 6 September 2023 . The Modi decade and how it changed India: India's endangered Democracy and declining press freedom SOAS . 6 February 2024 . soas.ac.uk.
  174. Web site: Our New Database Reveals Rise in Sedition Cases in the Modi Era . 6 February 2024 . article-14.com.
  175. Web site: 5 February 2024 . India RSF . 6 February 2024 . rsf.org.
  176. Web site: Why India's Democracy is Not Dying . 7 February 2024 . thediplomat.com.
  177. Book: Jaffrelot . C. . Modi's India: Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Ethnic Democracy . Schoch . C. . Princeton University Press . 2021 . 978-0-691-20680-6 . 354 . 30 August 2022 . 30 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220830153929/https://books.google.com/books?id=NbUSEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA354 . live .
  178. Jaffrelot . Christophe . Verniers . Gilles . 2 April 2020 . A new party system or a new political system? . Contemporary South Asia . Informa UK Limited . 28 . 2 . 141–154 . 10.1080/09584935.2020.1765990 . 221058484 . 0958-4935. free .
  179. News: Raman . P. . Deep Pockets, Weaponised Agencies the Muck BJP's Operation Lotus Grows In . 5 May 2023 . . 21 December 2022 . 5 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230505160624/https://thewire.in/politics/operation-lotus-bjp-deep-pockets-captive-agencies . live .
  180. News: Raman . P. . 25 March 2022 . Modi's Raid Raj: 'Janampatri' Has Emerged as Key Instrument of Power Against the Opposition . The Wire . 26 August 2022 . 26 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826163824/https://thewire.in/politics/modis-raid-raj-janampatri-has-emerged-as-key-instrument-of-power-against-the-opposition . live .
  181. News: Sen . Suhit K . 25 November 2019 . ACB's timing in shutting Maharashtra irrigation scam cases is questionable, brings back memories of Mukul Roy, Himanta Biswa Sarma . Firstpost . 26 August 2022 . 26 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826163823/https://www.firstpost.com/politics/acbs-timing-in-shutting-maharashtra-irrigation-scam-cases-is-questionable-brings-back-memories-of-mukul-roy-himanta-biswa-sarma-7698811.html . live .
  182. News: 23 July 2019 . CBI did not examine Himanta Biswa Sarma in Saradha scam: Ex-Kolkata top cop to HC . The Times of India . 26 August 2022 . 26 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826163823/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cbi-did-not-examine-himanta-biswa-sarma-in-saradha-scam-ex-kolkata-top-cop-to-hc/articleshow/70349359.cms . live .
  183. News: Kashyap . Samudra Gupta . 29 August 2015 . Tarun Gogoi's ex-confidante Himanta Biswa Sarma joins BJP in style . The Indian Express . 26 August 2022 . 26 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826163824/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/tarun-gogois-ex-confidante-himanta-biswa-sarma-joins-bjp-in-style/ . live .
  184. News: 25 November 2019 . 9 cases off, 'timing says it all' . The Telegraph Online . 26 August 2022 . 26 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826163824/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/9-cases-off-kingpin-ajit-pawar-timing-says-it-all/cid/1722069 . live .
  185. News: 3 November 2017 . Mukul Roy joins BJP, says law will take own course in Saradha chit fund scam . The Economic Times . 30 August 2022 . 30 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220830121337/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/former-trinamool-leader-mukul-roy-joins-bjp/articleshow/61491706.cms . live .
  186. News: 13 August 2021 . Getting sound sleep in BJP as there are no inquiries, says ex-MLA Harshvardhan Patil . The Indian Express . 30 August 2022 . 30 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220830132358/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/harshvardhan-patil-bjp-sharad-pawar-7570630/ . live .
  187. News: Bhardwaj . Ananya . CBI, ED, IT probes against opposition politicians – on at election time, off after that . 5 May 2023 . . 16 April 2021 . 5 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230505162600/https://theprint.in/india/cbi-ed-it-probes-against-opposition-politicians-on-at-election-time-off-after-that/640596/ . live .
  188. News: Tiwari . Deeptiman . Kin of Channi, Stalin, Mamata: In poll season, how central agencies get active . 5 May 2023 . . 11 February 2022 . 5 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230505162600/https://indianexpress.com/elections/kin-of-channi-stalin-mamata-poll-how-central-agencies-get-active-7766992/ . live .
  189. News: Venu . M.K. . 28 July 2022 . With Low Conviction Rate, ED Is Nothing More Than a Caged Parrot That Can't Get Anyone to Sing . The Wire . 26 August 2022 . 26 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826084959/https://thewire.in/law/ed-low-conviction-rate-caged-parrot-that-cant-get-anyone-to-sing . live .
  190. News: 26 July 2022 . ED Action Has Increased Dramatically Under Modi Govt, Parliament Reply Reveals . The Wire . 26 August 2022 . 17 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220817225027/https://thewire.in/government/ed-action-has-increased-dramatically-under-modi-govt-parliament-reply-reveals . live .
  191. News: ED raids up 27x in 2014-2022 compared to 2004-14: Govt . 27 July 2022 . . PTI . 5 May 2023 . 7 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230507035155/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ed-raids-up-27x-in-2014-2022-compared-to-2004-14-govt/articleshow/93148727.cms . live .
  192. News: Srivas . Anuj . 3 March 2020 . IT Dept and ED Raids Are at an All-Time High, but Convictions Remain Elusive . The Wire . 30 August 2022 . 30 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220830123131/https://thewire.in/political-economy/it-dept-and-ed-raids-are-at-an-all-time-high-but-convictions-remain-elusive . live .
  193. News: 10 April 2019 . How 'Neutral' Are the IT Raids Conducted Over the Past Six Months? . The Wire . 30 August 2022 . 26 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826165038/https://thewire.in/politics/it-raids-opposition-leaders-elections-2019-bjp . live .
  194. News: Tiwary . Deeptiman . From 60% in UPA to 95% in NDA: A surge in share of Opposition leaders in CBI net . 21 September 2022 . . 21 September 2022 . 21 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220921211807/https://indianexpress.com/article/express-exclusive/from-60-per-cent-in-upa-to-95-per-cent-in-nda-a-surge-in-share-of-opposition-leaders-in-cbi-net-express-investigation-8160912/ . live .
  195. News: ED will not chase me, I am a BJP MP: Sangli's sitting MP Sanjaykaka Patil . 30 August 2022 . The Times of India . 25 October 2021 . 30 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220830134250/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/ed-will-not-chase-me-i-am-a-bjp-mp-sanjaykaka-patil/articleshow/87243137.cms . live .
  196. News: West Bengal: Speaker accepts privilege motion against Suvendu after his I-T raid 'threat' in House . 30 August 2022 . The Indian Express . 18 March 2022 . 30 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220830134251/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/speaker-accepts-privilege-motion-against-suvendu-after-his-i-t-raid-threat-in-house-7825292/ . live .
  197. News: Sodhi . Tanishka . At least 44 times over 5 years: The NIA, ED and I-T 'crackdown' on the media . 6 May 2023 . . 5 May 2023 . 5 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230505181157/https://www.newslaundry.com/2023/05/05/at-least-44-times-over-5-years-the-nia-ed-and-i-t-crackdown-on-the-media . live .
  198. News: ED Director Tenure Extension Case: Union Govt Calls Petitions 'Politically Motivated' . 10 May 2023 . . 6 September 2022 . 27 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230527072901/https://thewire.in/government/ed-director-tenure-extension-politically-motivated . live .
  199. News: 'No Further Extensions,' SC Upholds Union Govt Move to Increase ED Director's Tenure . 10 May 2023 . . 8 September 2021 . 27 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230527072858/https://thewire.in/law/sk-mishra-enforcement-directorate-supreme-court-extension . live .
  200. News: Move to Allow Extension of CBI, ED Tenures Seen as Attack on Independence of Probe Agencies . 10 May 2023 . . 15 November 2021 . 27 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230527072858/https://thewire.in/government/centre-ordinances-extension-tenure-cbi-ed-chiefs-5-years . live .
  201. News: SC Amicus Says Amendment to Extend ED Chief's Tenure Should Be Scrapped . 10 May 2023 . . 9 May 2023 . 10 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230510072804/https://thewire.in/law/sc-amicus-says-amendment-to-extend-ed-chiefs-tenure-should-be-scrapped . live .
  202. News: Sanjay Kumar Mishra will not continue as ED Director beyond November 2023: Centre informs Supreme Court . 10 May 2023 . . 8 May 2023 . 8 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230508091132/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sanjay-kumar-mishra-will-not-continue-as-ed-director-beyond-november-2023-centre-informs-supreme-court/article66826167.ece . live .
  203. News: Sen . Jahnavi . Six Numbers the Modi Government Did Not Want You to Know in 2019 . 16 September 2022 . . 30 December 2019 . 15 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220915222513/https://thewire.in/politics/narendra-modi-data-npr-nrc-economy . live .
  204. News: Raghavan . T.C.A. Sharad . Two remaining National Statistical Commission members resign . 16 September 2022 . . 29 January 2019 . 15 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220915222510/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/2-remaining-nsc-members-resign/article26122815.ece . live .
  205. News: Mehta . Bharat . NCRB fails to publish 'Crime in India' report even after year . 16 September 2022 . . 9 January 2019 . 15 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220915224840/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/ncrb-fails-to-publish-crime-in-india-report-even-after-year/articleshow/67445165.cms . live .
  206. News: Daniyal . Shoaib . The Daily Fix: Modi government bid to hide unemployment rate, other key data hurts Indian democracy . 16 September 2022 . . 31 January 2019 . 15 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220915224839/https://scroll.in/article/911442/the-daily-fix-modi-governments-moves-to-hide-official-statistics-greatly-damages-indian-democracy . live .
  207. News: Mander . Harsh . How the Centre's disastrous decisions on vaccines cost the lives of lakhs of Indians . 17 September 2022 . . 17 September 2022 . 17 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220917070407/https://scroll.in/article/1030719/how-the-centres-disastrous-decisions-on-vaccines-cost-the-lives-of-lakhs-of-indians . live .
  208. News: Kaur . Banjot . Lancet Study Says India Had the Highest Mortality of Any Country During Pandemic . 16 September 2022 . . 11 March 2022 . 15 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220915222512/https://thewire.in/health/lancet-study-india-highest-mortality-covid-19-pandemic . live .
  209. News: No Rest for the Weary: WHO Report Says India Undercounted COVID Deaths by 10x . 16 September 2022 . . 6 May 2022 . 15 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220915222513/https://science.thewire.in/health/who-report-india-undercounted-covid-deaths-10x/ . live .
  210. Web site: United with India: Supporting India's COVID-19 vaccination drive . UNSDG . 2 May 2022 . 8 May 2022 . On January 30, 2022, India announced that 75 percent of its adult population had received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with some 1.7 billion doses of vaccines administered and over 720 million people fully vaccinated in just over a year. . 13 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221013134248/https://unsdg.un.org/latest/stories/united-india-supporting-indias-covid-19-vaccination-drive . live .
  211. Web site: Covid-19 vaccines prevented over 42 lakh deaths in India in 2021: Lancet study . mint . 24 June 2022 . 26 August 2022 . 13 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221013134247/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/covid19-vaccines-prevented-over-42-lakh-covid-19-deaths-in-india-in-2021-says-lancet-study-details-here-11656028876276.html . live .