75 Years of Growth, Development and Productivity in India

Book excerpt: This edited volume documents through its 75 years post-independence, the developmental complexities, economic achievements and challenges unique to India, given its vast population and regional, cultural, and climatic diversities, with simple illustrations, making them accessible to readers with varying levels of expertise. Since gaining independence, the Indian economy has embarked on a distinctive journey, navigating through a series of economic policy experiments in diverse economic landscapes. This distinct trajectory has not only accelerated its pace of economic growth but also addressed a myriad of developmental issues, from poverty to well-being, with varied degrees of success over the years. The detailed analysis and anecdotal evidence are at the core to show how the country's experience and challenges are different from the linear model of development transition, and must be understood in their own context. The academic papers, both theoretical and empirical, highlight the pace and patterns of sectoral dynamics since independence, unfold the issues and factors affecting development, with a particular focus on the productivity growth of the Indian economy, and showcase debates that may help planning policy for Vision@2047, the year when India would celebrate its centenary year of independence. The book contains 23 chapters divided into ten sections, covering issues related to growth strategies, productivity growth, agricultural transition, growth heterogeneity, labour, rural non-farm sector and migration, social sectors including education and environment, and debates on industrialisation and servicification – the principle features of Indian growth and development story. Given such diverse collection of chapters and discussions in them, the book will find readers across the developmental economics sphere ranging from academics to policy makers as well as industry experts.