Syllabus: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Reform Express 2025: Core Idea
- Governance focus shifted to continuous bottleneck clearance, described as Reform Express 2025.
- Emphasis placed on quiet, cumulative reforms rather than headline-driven announcements.
Macroeconomic Milestones
- India crossed $4.1 trillion nominal GDP, overtaking Japan as fourth-largest economy.
- S&P upgraded India’s sovereign rating to BBB after 18 years, signalling macro durability.
- Stable political leadership enhanced credibility of reforms, encouraging private investment.
Trade Expansion and Digital Enablement
- Total exports reached $825.25 billion in 2024–25, growing over 6% annually.
- Government launched Trade Connect ePlatform as a single digital window for exporters.
- Trade Intelligence and Analytics portal provides real-time market and trade data.
Trade Agreements and Market Access
- India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (July 2025) enabled duty-free access.
- India–Oman CEPA (December 2025) strengthened strategic goods, services, investment corridor.
- FTA negotiations with New Zealand concluded, expanding access to high-value markets.
Startup Ecosystem and Digital Commerce
- Over two lakh government-recognised startups, generating more than 21 lakh jobs.
- ONDC processed 326 million orders, averaging 5.9 lakh daily transactions.
- GeM transactions crossed ₹16.41 lakh crore, benefitting 11 lakh MSMEs.
Ease of Doing Business and Innovation
- India rose to 38th rank in Global Innovation Index among 139 economies.
- 47,000 compliances reduced and 4,458 legal provisions decriminalised.
- National Single Window System processed 8.29 lakh approvals by November 2025.
Legislative and Labour Reforms
- Repealing and Amending Bill 2025 removed 71 obsolete Acts.
- District Business Reform Action Plan 2025 strengthened local administrative responsiveness.
- Four labour codes implemented, consolidating 29 central labour laws.
Market Regulation and Logistics
- Securities Markets Code Bill strengthened SEBI enforcement and grievance redress.
- Maritime reforms addressed 95% trade volume and 70% trade value via ports.
- Indian Ports Act, Merchant Shipping Act, Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (2025) modernised shipping laws.
Industrial, Energy, and Strategic Reforms
- ₹69,725 crore shipbuilding package, including ₹25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund.
- Energy reforms reduced investor risk through stable leases and single petroleum licensing.
- OALP Round X offered 25 offshore blocks, including deep and ultra-deepwater areas.
- Nuclear Energy Mission (₹20,000 crore) targets 100 GW capacity by 2047.
- SHANTI Bill modernised civil nuclear framework, enabling regulated private participation.
Overall Reform Trajectory
- Reforms focused on statute cleanup, digitisation, logistics efficiency, and energy security.
- Strategy aimed at lowering entrepreneurial burden, enabling productivity-led growth.