economy of India Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/economy-of-India Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by Pulapre Balakrishnan Pulapre Balakrishnan is an applied economist specializing in macroeconomics and development. Educated in Moscow, Madras, and New Delhi, he trained as an economist at Oxford and Cambridge. He has held academic... Pulapre Balakrishnan, Ethan Teekah Ethan Teekah is an Assistant Editor for Encyclopædia Britannica. He covers topics primarily related to Asia and Asian Studies. Ethan Teekah•All Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Mar 27, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How has Indiau2019s economy evolved since independence? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Since gaining independence in 1947, Indiau2019s economy has transformed from a largely agrarian system to a high-tech powerhouse. Initially, it was shaped by state-led industrialization but embraced free market reforms in the 1990s." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What were the key stages in Indiau2019s economic evolution? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Indiau2019s economic evolution can be traced through four stages: independence in 1947, the mid-1960s agricultural crisis, economic liberalization in the 1990s, and rapid transformations in the early 21st century." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What challenges does Indiau2019s economy face despite its growth? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "India faces challenges such as inequality, inflation, industrial stagnation, underinvestment in education, sluggish job creation, and a struggling manufacturing sector, all of which hinder economic progress." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How significant is Indiau2019s agriculture sector to its economy? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Indiau2019s agriculture sector contributes about 15 percent of GDP and employs more than 40 percent of the workforce. The country remains a leading producer of food and agricultural products globally." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What role does the services sector play in Indiau2019s economy? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Indiau2019s services sector is the backbone of its economy, contributing about 55 percent of gross domestic product as of 2025. It has expanded beyond information technology and call centers into health care, education, real estate, and entertainment, playing a crucial role in employment and export revenue." } } ] } Top Questions How has India’s economy evolved since independence? Since gaining independence in 1947, India’s economy has transformed from a largely agrarian system to a high-tech powerhouse. Initially, it was shaped by state-led industrialization but embraced free market reforms in the 1990s.
What were the key stages in India’s economic evolution? India’s economic evolution can be traced through four stages: independence in 1947, the mid-1960s agricultural crisis, economic liberalization in the 1990s, and rapid transformations in the early 21st century.
What challenges does India’s economy face despite its growth? India faces challenges such as inequality, inflation, industrial stagnation, underinvestment in education, sluggish job creation, and a struggling manufacturing sector, all of which hinder economic progress.
How significant is India’s agriculture sector to its economy? India’s agriculture sector contributes about 15 percent of GDP and employs more than 40 percent of the workforce. The country remains a leading producer of food and agricultural products globally.
What role does the services sector play in India’s economy? India’s services sector is the backbone of its economy, contributing about 55 percent of gross domestic product as of 2025. It has expanded beyond information technology and call centers into health care, education, real estate, and entertainment, playing a crucial role in employment and export revenue.
India’s economy has undergone profound shifts since the country gained independence in 1947, evolving from a largely agrarian system to a high-tech economic powerhouse. Initially shaped by state-led industrialization, the country later embraced free market reforms that opened avenues for private enterprise and foreign investment. Agricultural advancements, technological innovation, and policy reforms have driven growth, yet persistent challenges—such as inequality, inflation, and industrial stagnation—continue to shape the country’s trajectory. This article traces India’s economic evolution through four key stages: independence in 1947, the mid-1960s agricultural crisis, economic liberalization in the 1990s, and the rapid transformations of the early 21st century. ...(100 of 4447 words)
Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!