Premiership of Narendra Modi#Governance and other initiatives

{{Main|Economic policy of the Narendra Modi government}}

The economic policies of Modi's government focused on privatization and liberalization of the economy, based on a neoliberal framework.{{cite journal|last1=Shah|first1=Alpa|last2=Lerche|first2=Jens|url=https://www.epw.in/journal/2015/41/book-reviews/indias-democracy-illusion-inclusion.html|title=India's Democracy: Illusion of Inclusion|journal=Economic & Political Weekly|date=10 October 2015|volume=50|issue=41|pages=33–36|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=28 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328113150/https://www.epw.in/journal/2015/41/book-reviews/indias-democracy-illusion-inclusion.html|url-status=live}} Modi liberalized India's foreign direct investment policies, allowing more foreign investment in several industries, including in defense and the railways.{{cite web|first1=Sanjeev|last1=Miglani|first2=Krishna N.|last2=Das|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/india-reforms-idINKCN0SZ18J20151110|title=India frees up foreign investment in 15 major sectors|agency=Reuters India|date=10 November 2015|access-date=10 October 2017|archive-date=11 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611005401/http://in.reuters.com/article/india-reforms-idINKCN0SZ18J20151110|url-status=dead}}{{cite news | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/cabinet-approves-raising-fdi-cap-in-defence-to-49-per-cent-opens-up-railways/articleshow/39767641.cms | work=The Economic Times | title=Cabinet approves raising FDI cap in defence to 49 per cent, opens up railways | date=7 August 2014 | access-date=17 October 2021 | archive-date=17 October 2021 | archive-url=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 | url-status=live}}{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/modi-presses-reform-for-india-but-is-it-enough-1416466742 | work=The Wall Street Journal | first=Raymond | last=Zhong | title=Modi Presses Reform for India—But Is it Enough? | date=20 November 2014 | access-date=17 October 2021 | archive-date=29 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329123224/http://www.wsj.com/articles/modi-presses-reform-for-india-but-is-it-enough-1416466742 | url-status=live}}

The first eight years of Modi's premiership, India's GDP grew at an average rate of 5.5% compared to the rate of 7.03% under the previous government.{{Cite web |last=Tiwari |first=Amitabh |date=30 May 2022 |title=PM Narendra Modi’s 8 Years: How He Has Performed Compared to Manmohan Singh |url=https://www.thequint.com/opinion/pm-narendra-modis-8-years-how-he-has-performed-compared-to-manmohan-singh |website=The Quint}}

The level of income inequality increased significantly,{{cite news |last1=V. |first1=Harini |date=14 November 2018 |title=India's economy is booming. Now comes the hard part |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/15/india-economy-modi-faces-inequality-black-money-and-taxes.html |access-date=6 February 2019 |archive-date=21 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065518/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/15/india-economy-modi-faces-inequality-black-money-and-taxes.html |url-status=live}} while an internal government report said that in 2017, unemployment had increased to its highest level in 45 years.{{Cite news |date=31 May 2019 |title=Unemployment rate at 45-year high, confirms Labour Ministry data|work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/unemployment-rate-at-45-year-high-confirms-labour-ministry-data/article62001095.ece |access-date=28 February 2022 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=23 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223030328/https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/unemployment-rate-at-45-year-high-confirms-labour-ministry-data/article62001095.ece |url-status=live}} This was attributed to the 2016 demonetisation, which was an issuance of new banknotes in an effort to curtail the black market, as well as the effects of the Goods and Services Tax, the biggest tax reform in the country since independence.{{cite news |last1=Gettleman |first1=Jeffrey |last2=Kumar |first2=Hari |date=31 January 2019 |title=India's Leader Is Accused of Hiding Unemployment Data Before Vote |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/31/world/asia/india-unemployment-rate.html |access-date=7 February 2019 |archive-date=31 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131203108/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/31/world/asia/india-unemployment-rate.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Manoj |last2=Ghoshal |first2=Devjyot |date=31 January 2019 |title=Indian jobless rate at multi-decade high, report says, in blow to Modi |work=Reuters |url=https://in.reuters.com/article/us-india-economy-jobs/indian-jobless-rate-at-multi-decade-high-report-says-in-blow-to-modi-idINKCN1PP0FX |access-date=7 February 2019 |archive-date=9 February 2019 |archive-url=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 |url-status=dead}}

Modi's labour reforms received support from institutions such as the World Bank, but opposition from socialist and communist parties, scholars, and worker rights groups within the country. The labour 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.{{Cite web |date=3 September 2015 |title=Millions strike in India to protest against Modi's labor reforms |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/09/03/millions-strike-in-india-to-protest-against-modis-planned-labor-reforms.html |access-date=3 November 2023 |website=CNBC}}{{Cite web |title=Millions strike in India over government labour reforms |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/9/2/millions-strike-in-india-over-government-labour-reforms |access-date=3 November 2023 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}

{{Excerpt|Economic policy of the Narendra Modi government#Healthcare|paragraphs=1}}

{{Excerpt|Economic policy of the Narendra Modi government#Public transportation}}

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).{{Cite web |author=Vijay Pinjarkar |date=3 February 2022 |title=Allocation to forest and wildlife sector not satisfactory: Experts |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/allocation-to-forest-and-wildlife-sector-not-satisfactory-experts/articleshow/89305612.cms |access-date=28 February 2022 |website=The Times of India|archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228112244/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/allocation-to-forest-and-wildlife-sector-not-satisfactory-experts/articleshow/89305612.cms |url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web |date=3 December 2018 |title=Fact Checking Congress party's claims about Public expenditure on Education & Health |url=https://factly.in/fact-checking-congress-partys-claims-about-public-expenditure-on-education-health/ |access-date=28 February 2022 |website=FACTLY|archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228112246/https://factly.in/fact-checking-congress-partys-claims-about-public-expenditure-on-education-health/ |url-status=live}}

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.{{cite journal |last1=Manor |first1=James |date=2015 |title=A Precarious Enterprise? Multiple Antagonisms during Year One of the Modi Government |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1083644?journalCode=csas20 |journal=South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies |volume=38 |issue=4 |pages=736–754 |doi=10.1080/00856401.2015.1083644 |s2cid=155472230 |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023134125/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1083644?journalCode=csas20 |url-status=live|url-access=subscription }}

On 25 June 2015, Modi launched a program intended to develop 100 smart cities.{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prime-minister-narendra-modi-launches-smart-cities-mission/article7353823.ece | title=Cities should get chance to plan their growth, says Modi | date=25 June 2015 | work=The Hindu | access-date=27 June 2015 | location=New Delhi | archive-date=6 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106133029/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prime-minister-narendra-modi-launches-smart-cities-mission/article7353823.ece | url-status=live}} The "Smart Cities" program is expected to bring IT companies an extra benefit of {{INRConvert|20|b}}. 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.{{cite web |first=Preetam |last=Kaushik |url=http://www.businessinsider.in/Smart-Villages-Lending-A-Rural-Flavour-To-Modis-Growth-Agenda/articleshow/45271399.cms |title=Smart Villages: Lending A Rural Flavour To Modi's Growth Agenda |publisher=Businessinsider.in |date=25 November 2014 |access-date=3 October 2015 |archive-date=4 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004164239/http://www.businessinsider.in/Smart-Villages-Lending-A-Rural-Flavour-To-Modis-Growth-Agenda/articleshow/45271399.cms |url-status=live}}

Give up LPG subsidy was a campaign launched by Modi in March 2015. It was aimed at motivating LPG users who can afford to pay the market price for LPG to voluntarily surrender their LPG subsidy.{{cite web|url=http://www.givitup.in/about.html|title=About the GiveItUp Campaign|publisher=Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas|access-date=19 October 2021|archive-date=28 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228221626/https://www.givitup.in/about.html|url-status=live}} As at 23 April 2016 1 crore ( 10 million) people had voluntarily given up the subsidy.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/pm-thanks-1-crore-people-giving-lpg-subsidy-help-poor/|title=PM thanks 1 crore people for giving up LPG subsidy to help poor|date=23 April 2016|access-date=19 October 2021|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108104313/https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/pm-thanks-1-crore-people-giving-lpg-subsidy-help-poor/|url-status=live}}

The surrendered subsidy is being used by the government to provide cooking gas connections to poor families in rural households free of cost.{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/oil-gas/give-it-up-over-1-crore-lpg-users-gave-up-their-subsidies/articleshow/51929960.cms|title=Give-it-Up: Over 1 crore LPG users gave up their subsidies|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=12 April 2016|access-date=19 October 2021|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Delhi and Tamil Nadu are the top five states to give up the subsidy.{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-leads-in-surrendering-lpg-subsidy-2766427/|title=Maharashtra leads in surrendering LPG subsidy|work=The Indian Express|date=23 April 2016|access-date=19 October 2021|archive-date=18 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418144200/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-leads-in-surrendering-lpg-subsidy-2766427/|url-status=live}}

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 {{INRConvert|5|k}} and accident insurance. After the launch, 125.4 million accounts were opened by January 2015. The scheme has failed to improve the economic prosperity across states. "Poor usage of financial services" and "a rise in the number of dormant accounts" have been cited as the limitations of the scheme, with 30% of accounts remaining dormant.{{cite web | last=Mahajan | first=Shrikrishna | title=Financial Inclusion in India: Achieving Quantity, but Waiting for Quality | website=Economic and Political Weekly | date=2023-01-17 | url=https://www.epw.in/engage/article/financial-inclusion-india-achieving-quantity | access-date=2024-12-11}}

Modi government launched the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) in April 2015. Under this scheme, loans up to {{INRConvert|1|m}} are given for non-agricultural activities under the three categories: Shishu (loans up to {{INRConvert|50|k}}); Kishore (loans from {{INRConvert|50|k}} to {{INRConvert|500|k}}) and Tarun (loans from {{INRConvert|500|k}} to {{INRConvert|1|m}}). 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.{{citation |first=K. R. |last=Srivats |title=Report: PM scheme generates 1.68 crore jobs in 2 years |url=http://m.thehindubusinessline.com/news/education/168-cr-incremental-jobs-created-under-mudra-scheme-in-2-years-since-launch/article9851526.ece |work=Business Line|location=Chennai |date=8 September 2017 |access-date=20 October 2021}}

{{Further information|Hindutva}}

During the 2014 election campaign, Modi publicly 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 featured BJP leaders in some states using rhetoric rooted in Hindutva, a far-right Hindu nationalist ideology.{{cite journal|last1=Palshikar|first1=Suhas|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1089460?journalCode=csas20|title=The BJP and Hindu Nationalism: Centrist Politics and Majoritarian Impulses|journal=Journal of South Asian Studies|date=2015|volume=38|issue=4|pages=719–735|doi=10.1080/00856401.2015.1089460|s2cid=147143160|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023134735/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1089460?journalCode=csas20|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} 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. The BJP increasingly employed rhetoric rooted in Hindutva during the 2019{{Cite web |date=24 May 2019 |title=Election result 2019: Nationalism, Hindutva, welfare power BJP to an even bigger victory |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nationalism-hindutva-welfare-power-bjp-to-an-even-bigger-victory/articleshow/69472784.cms |website=The Times of India}}{{Cite web |date=1 February 2019 |title=The BJP has fallen back on the Ram temple in its bid for electoral victory |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/the-bjp-has-fallen-back-on-the-ram-temple-in-its-bid-for-electoral-victory/cid/1683306 |website=The Telegraph (India)}} and 2024 elections.{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Smriti Kak |date=17 May 2024 |title=Modi, Hindutva, development and welfare pillars of BJP campaign in Lok Sabha polls |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/modi-hindutva-development-and-welfare-pillars-of-bjp-campaign-101710613804867.html |website=Hindustan Times}}{{Cite web |last=Naqvi |first=Saba |date=11 November 2024 |title=BJP is back to its favourite bogey: ‘The Other’ |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/columns/bjp-modi-aggresive-hindutva-language-jharkhand-assembly-election-2024-hemant-soren/article68841509.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113013251/https://frontline.thehindu.com/columns/bjp-modi-aggresive-hindutva-language-jharkhand-assembly-election-2024-hemant-soren/article68841509.ece |archive-date=13 November 2024 |website=Frontline}}

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 Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Hindu scripture, be adopted as India's "national book". 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 Hindu religious conversion programme conducted by members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a far-right Hindutva paramilitary organisation, alongside other organisations such as the Hindu Mahasabha, a right-wing to far-right Hindu nationalist political party. The attempts at religious conversion have been described by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (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.{{cite news |last1=Ara |first1=Ismat |title=Exclusive: UP Police Report Contradicts Adityanath Claim of 'Rise in Love Jihad' |url=https://thewire.in/women/up-police-report-adityanath-love-jihad-cases |access-date=10 September 2022 |work=The Wire |date=23 November 2020 |archive-date=9 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909202017/https://thewire.in/women/up-police-report-adityanath-love-jihad-cases |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=NIA Finds No Evidence of 'Love Jihad' After Kerala Probe |url=https://thewire.in/politics/nia-love-jihad-kerala-hadiya |access-date=10 September 2022 |work=The Wire |date=18 October 2018 |archive-date=9 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909202017/https://thewire.in/politics/nia-love-jihad-kerala-hadiya |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title='Love Jihad' Not Defined by Laws, No Case Reported, Says Govt |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/love-jihad-cases-govt |access-date=10 September 2022 |work=The Wire |agency=PTI |date=4 February 2020 |archive-date=9 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909202021/https://thewire.in/communalism/love-jihad-cases-govt |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=MS |first1=Sreeja |last2=Kumar |first2=Akhil |title=Karnataka Officer Transferred After His Survey Showed No Forced Conversion |url=https://www.ndtv.com/karnataka-news/karnataka-officer-transferred-after-his-survey-showed-no-forced-conversion-2655110 |access-date=10 September 2022 |work=NDTV |date=16 December 2021 |archive-date=9 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909202022/https://www.ndtv.com/karnataka-news/karnataka-officer-transferred-after-his-survey-showed-no-forced-conversion-2655110 |url-status=live}} There have been a number of reports of intimidation or coercion of the subjects during these 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".{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1148772|title=Indian PM Modi refuses to fire minister for attack on non-Hindus|work=Dawn|location=Pakistan |date=4 December 2014|access-date=28 February 2022|archive-date=28 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228135944/https://www.dawn.com/news/1148772|url-status=live}} Commentators{{who|date=June 2024}} have suggested, however, that the violence was perpetrated by radical Hindu nationalists to undercut the authority of Modi.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

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.{{cite news |first=Anita |last=Joshua |title=Choice of ICHR chief reignites saffronisation debate |newspaper=The Hindu |date=16 July 2014 |access-date=20 August 2014 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/choice-of-ichr-chief-reignites-saffronisation-debate/article6214483.ece |archive-date=2 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202181112/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/choice-of-ichr-chief-reignites-saffronisation-debate/article6214483.ece |url-status=live}}{{cite news |first=Akshaya |last=Mukul |title=Right-wingers question ICHR chief selection |newspaper=The Times of India |date=18 July 2014 |access-date=20 August 2014 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Right-wingers-question-ICHR-chief-selection/articleshow/38581467.cms |archive-date=21 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721002055/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Right-wingers-question-ICHR-chief-selection/articleshow/38581467.cms |url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/india-house-passes-citizenship-bill-excludes-muslims-190108145755215.html|title=India's lower house passes citizenship bill that excludes Muslims|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=8 January 2019|access-date=21 October 2021|archive-date=17 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917072618/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/india-house-passes-citizenship-bill-excludes-muslims-190108145755215.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=Apoorvanand|author-link=Apoorvanand|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/citizenship-bill-hinduisation-india-190110141421871.html|title=The new citizenship bill and the Hinduisation of India|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=12 January 2019|access-date=21 October 2021|archive-date=14 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214221812/https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/citizenship-bill-hinduisation-india-190110141421871.html|url-status=live}}

File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at the Centenary Year Convocation of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), in Varanasi.jpg in Varanasi.]]

On 6 August 2019, the Supreme Court of India passed resolution on creation of Ram Mandir on the disputed land of Ayodhya.{{Cite web|title=Supreme Court hearing ends in Ayodhya dispute; orders reserved|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/supreme-court-hearing-ends-in-ayodhya-dispute-orders-reserved/article29710840.ece|date=16 October 2019|access-date=23 April 2021|work=Business Line|location=Chennai|agency=Press Trust of India|archive-date=23 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023101322/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/supreme-court-hearing-ends-in-ayodhya-dispute-orders-reserved/article29710840.ece|url-status=live}} The verdict also stated to provide {{Convert|5|acre|m2}} for creation of a mosque on another part of the land. The land was given to the Sunni Waqf Board.{{Cite web|title=Ram Mandir verdict: Supreme Court verdict on Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case: Highlights|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ayodhya-babri-masjid-ram-mandir-case-verdict-highlights-supreme-court-declared-verdict-on-ram-janmabhoomi-case/articleshow/71978918.cms|date=9 November 2019|access-date=23 April 2021|website=The Times of India|archive-date=9 November 2019|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} On 5 August 2020, Narendra Modi attended the Bhoomipujan at Ayodhya. He became the first prime minister to visit Ram Janmabhoomi and Hanuman Garhi.{{Cite web|date=5 August 2020|title=Modi becomes first PM to visit Ram Janmabhoomi, Hanumangarhi temple in Ayodhya|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/modi-becomes-first-pm-to-visit-ram-janmabhoomi-hanumangarhi-temple-in-ayodhya/2046074/|access-date=23 April 2021|website=The Financial Express|archive-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=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/|url-status=live}}

File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressing at the inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath Dham, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on December 13, 2021 (105966).jpg

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.{{Cite web |author=Kumar Shakti Shekhar |date=13 December 2021 |title=Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project: How BJP is casting PM Modi in Hindu queen Ahilyabai Holkar's mould |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kashi-vishwanath-corridor-project-how-bjp-is-casting-pm-modi-in-hindu-queen-ahilyabai-holkars-mould/articleshow/88247567.cms |access-date=28 August 2022 |website=The Times of India|archive-date=28 August 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live}} On 13 December 2021, Modi inaugurated the corridor with a sacred ceremony.{{Cite web |title=PM Modi inaugurates Kashi Vishwanath Corridor |url=https://indianexpress.com/photos/india-news/pm-modi-inaugurates-kashi-vishwanath-corridor-7670093/ |access-date=28 August 2022 |website=The Indian Express |date=14 February 2022|archive-date=28 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828085224/https://indianexpress.com/photos/india-news/pm-modi-inaugurates-kashi-vishwanath-corridor-7670093/ |url-status=live}}

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".{{cite magazine |title=What's Next for India's Muslims After Delhi Riots? |url=https://time.com/5794354/delhi-riots-muslims-india/ |magazine=Time |date=3 March 2020}}

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.{{cite news |last1=Shih |first1=Gerry |last2=Gupta |first2=Anant |title=How bulldozers in India became a symbol of Hindu nationalism |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/27/india-hindus-muslims-bulldozers-demolitions/ |access-date=10 September 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=27 April 2022 |archive-date=28 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428063243/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/27/india-hindus-muslims-bulldozers-demolitions/ |url-status=live}}

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.{{citation | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-26/smelly-dumps-drive-away-affordable-homes-in-land-starved-mumbai | publisher=Bloomberg L.P. | first1=Bhuma | last1=Shrivastava | first2=Anto | last2=Antony | title=Mumbai Is Overflowing with Garbage | date=26 July 2015 | access-date=21 October 2021 | archive-date=23 September 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923153428/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-26/smelly-dumps-drive-away-affordable-homes-in-land-starved-mumbai | url-status=live}}{{citation |url=http://www.youthconnect.in/2015/06/19/cabinet-passes-pm-modis-ambitious-housing-for-all-by-2022-scheme-for-the-urban-poor |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621010335/http://www.youthconnect.in/2015/06/19/cabinet-passes-pm-modis-ambitious-housing-for-all-by-2022-scheme-for-the-urban-poor/ |title=Cabinet Passes PM Modi's Ambitious "Housing For All By 2022″ Scheme For The Urban Poor. No More Slums? |work=Youthconnect.in |date=19 June 2015 |archive-date=21 June 2015 |access-date=21 October 2021 |url-status=dead}} 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.{{citation |first=Nidhi |last=Sharma |title=3 years of Modi government: A look at whether big-ticket schemes have brought 'achhe din' for common man |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/three-years-of-modi-government-a-look-at-whether-big-ticket-schemes-have-brought-achhe-din-for-common-man/articleshow/59150657.cms |work=The Economic Times |date=15 June 2017 |access-date=21 October 2021 |archive-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422104641/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/three-years-of-modi-government-a-look-at-whether-big-ticket-schemes-have-brought-achhe-din-for-common-man/articleshow/59150657.cms |url-status=live}}

In 2019, a law was passed to provide 10% reservation to Economically weaker sections.{{citation |title=Bill on 10% reservation for upper caste poor passes Parliament test: 10 things to know |url=https://businesstoday.in/story/bill-on-10pc-reservation-for-upper-caste-poor-passes-parliament-test-10-things-to-know/1/308641.html |work=Business Today |date=10 January 2019 |access-date=21 October 2021 |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518131513/https://m.businesstoday.in/story/bill-on-10pc-reservation-for-upper-caste-poor-passes-parliament-test-10-things-to-know/1/308641.html |url-status=live}}

Modi also launched Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) on 1 May 2016 to distribute 50 million LPG connections to women of BPL families.{{citation |first=Hemanta |last=Pradhan |title=Scheme for LPG to BPL families to be launched in Odisha |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Scheme-for-LPG-to-BPL-families-to-be-launched-in-Odisha/articleshow/52625599.cms |work=The Times of India |date=6 June 2016 |access-date=21 October 2021}}{{cite news |last=Raja |first=Aditi |title=Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: 'UPA govt left coffers empty, making it difficult for us' |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/upa-left-empty-coffers-amit-shah-in-dahod-2802047/ |work=The Indian Express |date=16 May 2016 |access-date=21 October 2021 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623100232/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/upa-left-empty-coffers-amit-shah-in-dahod-2802047/ |url-status=live}}{{citation |title=Modi's pet projects PMUY, Urja Ganga to cross Himalayan borders to Nepal |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/modi-s-pet-projects-pmuy-urja-ganga-to-cross-himalayan-borders-to-nepal-117032800477_1.html |work=Business Standard |date=28 March 2017 |access-date=21 October 2021 |last1=Jacob |first1=Shine |archive-date=9 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009162626/https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/modi-s-pet-projects-pmuy-urja-ganga-to-cross-himalayan-borders-to-nepal-117032800477_1.html |url-status=live}} A budgetary allocation of {{INRConvert|800|b}} 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.{{citation |first=Saurabh |last=Kumar |title=Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: 3 cr LPG connections already issued, Oil Min seeks to serve another 3 cr beneficiaries |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/pradhan-mantri-ujjwala-yojana-3-cr-lpg-connections-already-issued-oil-min-seeks-to-serve-another-3-cr-beneficiaries/914691/lite/ |work=The Financial Express |date=1 November 2017 |access-date=21 October 2021 |archive-date=18 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918083707/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/pradhan-mantri-ujjwala-yojana-3-cr-lpg-connections-already-issued-oil-min-seeks-to-serve-another-3-cr-beneficiaries/914691/lite/ |url-status=live}} The number crossed 58 million by December 2018.{{citation |last=Sharma |first=Anshu |title=Government expands eligibility criteria to meet Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana target |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/energy/government-expands-eligibility-criteria-to-meet-pradhan-mantri-ujjwala-yojana-target-1728431.htm |work=CNBC TV18 |date=19 December 2018 |access-date=21 October 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413134621/https://www.cnbctv18.com/energy/government-expands-eligibility-criteria-to-meet-pradhan-mantri-ujjwala-yojana-target-1728431.htm |url-status=live}} In 2018 Union Budget of India, its scope was widened to include 80 million poor households.{{citation |first=Kalpana |last=Pathak |title=Budget 2018: Ujjwala scheme to cover 80 million families, says Arun Jaitley |url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/zrbl91l8aL1bIgpyEY4nDN/Budget-2018-Ujjwala-scheme-to-cover-80-million-families-sa.html |work=Live Mint |date=1 February 2018 |access-date=21 October 2021 |archive-date=21 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921154352/https://www.livemint.com/Politics/zrbl91l8aL1bIgpyEY4nDN/Budget-2018-Ujjwala-scheme-to-cover-80-million-families-sa.html |url-status=live}} 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.{{citation |title=Ujjwala scheme boosts India's LPG consumption to a record high in FY19 |url=https://wap.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/ujjwala-scheme-boosts-india-s-lpg-consumption-to-a-record-high-in-fy19-119050300261_1.html |work=Business Standard |date=3 May 2019 |access-date=21 October 2021}}

{{main article|Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019|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.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/66-cases-of-triple-talaq-in-the-country-since-the-sc-judgement-law-minister/articleshow/62279519.cms|title=100 cases of instant triple talaq in the country since the SC judgement|date=28 December 2017|access-date=21 October 2021|work=The Times of India|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} On 28 December 2017, Lok Sabha passed The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lok-sabha-passes-the-triple-talaq-bill/article22319663.ece|title=Lok Sabha passes triple talaq bill|newspaper=The Hindu|date=28 December 2017|access-date=21 October 2021|last1=Phukan|first1=Sandeep|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226061624/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lok-sabha-passes-the-triple-talaq-bill/article22319663.ece|url-status=live}} 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{{clarify|what do these abbreviations mean?|date=January 2018}} 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.{{cite web|first=Sandipan|last=Sharma|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/congress-backing-of-triple-talaq-bill-indicates-its-gradually-withdrawing-from-muslim-appeasement-politics-4279223.html|title=Congress' backing of triple talaq bill indicates it's gradually withdrawing from Muslim appeasement politics|date=28 December 2017|access-date=21 October 2021|work=Firstpost|archive-date=30 July 2019|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/congress-backs-triple-talaq-bill-khurshid-strikes-discordant-note/articleshow/62283011.cms|title=Congress backs triple talaq bill, Khurshid strikes discordant note|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=28 December 2017|access-date=21 October 2021|archive-date=30 July 2019|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/fresh-triple-talaq-bill-introduced-in-lok-sabha-oppositon-members-protest/articleshow/69891244.cms|title=Fresh triple talaq Bill introduced in Lok Sabha, Opposition members protest|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=21 June 2019|access-date=31 July 2019|archive-date=23 August 2019|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://164.100.47.4/BillsTexts/LSBillTexts/PassedLoksabha/82_Eng_Muslim_2019.pdf|title=The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019|website=Lok Sabha India Website|access-date=30 July 2019|archive-date=30 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730141051/http://164.100.47.4/BillsTexts/LSBillTexts/PassedLoksabha/82_Eng_Muslim_2019.pdf|url-status=live}} The bill was subsequently passed by the Lok Sabha on 25 July 2019{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/lok-sabha-passes-triple-talaq-bill-over-to-rajya-sabha-now/articleshow/70381627.cms|title=Lok Sabha passes instant talaq bill; JDU walks out|website=The Economic Times|date=26 July 2019|access-date=26 July 2019|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} and then by Rajya Sabha on 30 July 2019{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/triple-talaq-bill-passed-in-rajya-sabha-1575309-2019-07-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730134908/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/triple-talaq-bill-passed-in-rajya-sabha-1575309-2019-07-30|title=Triple talaq bill passed in Rajya Sabha|website=India Today|date=30 July 2019|archive-date=30 July 2019|access-date=30 July 2019}} and received assent from President Kovind on 31 July 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/president-ram-nath-kovind-gives-assent-to-triple-talaq-Bill/article28780061.ece|title=President Ram Nath Kovind gives assent to triple talaq Bill|newspaper=The Hindu|date=1 August 2019|access-date=27 February 2020|archive-date=27 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227203132/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/president-ram-nath-kovind-gives-assent-to-triple-talaq-bill/article28780061.ece|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news |last=Salam |first=Ziya Us |date=13 August 2022 |title=Five years after Supreme Court's triple talaq verdict, petitioners living life as 'half-divorcees' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/five-years-after-supreme-courts-triple-talaq-verdict-petitioners-living-life-as-half-divorcees/article65765026.ece |work=The Hindu |access-date=18 August 2022 |archive-date=18 August 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live}}

{{See also|Swachh Bharat Abhiyan}}

In his first year as prime minister Modi reduced the amount of money spent by the government on healthcare.{{cite news|title=Sparing Mr Modi's blushes|url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21656239-missing-data-should-embarrass-prime-minister-sparing-mr-modis-blushes|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=9 November 2016|date=27 June 2015|archive-date=30 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130055250/http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21656239-missing-data-should-embarrass-prime-minister-sparing-mr-modis-blushes|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite journal|last1=Sharma|first1=Dinesh C.|title=India's BJP Government and health: 1 year on|journal=The Lancet|date=23 May 2015|volume=385|issue=9982|pages=2031–2|doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60977-1|pmid=26009217|s2cid=10544022|doi-access=free}} In its budget for the second year after it took office, the Modi government reduced healthcare spending by 15%. 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. 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. 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. Modi initially appointed Harsh Vardhan, a doctor and an advocate of tobacco control, minister of health. However, Vardhan was removed in November 2015. The government also proposed introducing stricter packaging laws for tobacco, but this effort was postponed because of the efforts of the tobacco lobby.

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.{{cite journal|last1=Schmidt|first1=Charles W.|title=Beyond Malnutrition: The Role of Sanitation in Stunted Growth|journal=Environmental Health Perspectives|date=November 2014|volume=122|issue=11|pages=A298-303|doi=10.1289/ehp.122-A298|pmid=25360801|pmc=4216152}}{{cite journal|last1=Jeffrey|first1=Robin|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1088504|title=Clean India! Symbols, Policies and Tensions|journal=South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies|date=2015|volume=38|issue=4|pages=807–819|doi=10.1080/00856401.2015.1088504|s2cid=147169571|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023135343/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1088504|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} 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. 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.{{cite news |last=Lakshmi |first=Rama |url=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 |title=India is building millions of toilets, but that's the easy part |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=4 June 2015 |access-date=3 October 2015 |archive-date=4 October 2015 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live}}{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/04/03/globalpost-india-toilet/25236383/ | work=USA Today | first1=Mandakini | last1=Gahlot | title=India steps up efforts to encourage use of toilets | date=3 April 2015 | access-date=21 October 2021 | archive-date=16 August 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816194615/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/04/03/globalpost-india-toilet/25236383/ | url-status=live}}{{cite news | url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21607837-fixing-dreadful-sanitation-india-requires-not-just-building-lavatories-also-changing | newspaper=The Economist | title=The Final Frontier | date=19 July 2014 | access-date=21 October 2021 | archive-date=6 February 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206112403/http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21607837-fixing-dreadful-sanitation-india-requires-not-just-building-lavatories-also-changing | url-status=live}} The government also announced plans to build new sewage treatment plants.{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-18/india-plans-1-3-billion-sewage-plants-in-towns-along-the-ganges | publisher=Bloomberg L.P. | first=Archana | last=Chaudhary | title=India Plans $1.3-Billion Sewage Plants in Towns Along the Ganges | date=18 May 2015 | access-date=21 October 2021 | archive-date=29 July 2016 | archive-url=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 | url-status=live}} 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. Modi has generally emphasized his government's efforts at sanitation as a means of ensuring good health. He has also advocated yoga and traditional forms of medicine. 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.

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.{{cite web |first=Vanessa |last=Jones |url=http://www.medindia.net/news/ambitious-health-care-plan-by-pm-narendra-modi-faces-delays-147823-1.htm |title=Severe Cut-Backs Expected in PM's Ambitious Health Care Plan for India |publisher=Medindia |date=31 March 2015 |access-date=3 October 2015 |archive-date=4 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004084222/http://www.medindia.net/news/ambitious-health-care-plan-by-pm-narendra-modi-faces-delays-147823-1.htm |url-status=live}}{{cite news | first=Aditya | last=Kalra | url=http://in.reuters.com/article/india-health-idINKBN0MM2UT20150327 | publisher=Reuters | title=Exclusive: Modi govt puts brakes on India's universal health plan | date=27 March 2015 | access-date=21 October 2021 | archive-date=24 October 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024132505/http://in.reuters.com/article/india-health-idINKBN0MM2UT20150327 | url-status=dead}}{{cite web |first=Neetu Chandra |last=Sharma |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/narendra-modi-government-healthcare-goals-one-year/1/433670.html |title=Modi government's healthcare schemes have brought smiles on some faces and disappointed a few: One year of Modi |work=India Today |date=5 May 2015 |access-date=3 October 2015 |archive-date=4 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004122141/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/narendra-modi-government-healthcare-goals-one-year/1/433670.html |url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news|last1=Taneja|first1=Richa|title=Modicare, World's Largest National Health Protection Scheme: All You Need To Know|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/modicare-worlds-largest-national-health-protection-scheme-all-you-need-to-know-1807875|publisher=NDTV|date=2 February 2018|access-date=21 October 2021|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title='Modicare' to be launched on Aug 15 or Oct 2: Sources|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/national-health-protection-scheme-to-be-implemented-from-oct-2/articleshow/62757339.cms|work=The Times of India|date=2 February 2018|access-date=21 October 2021|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109035122/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/national-health-protection-scheme-to-be-implemented-from-oct-2/articleshow/62757339.cms|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Union Budget 2018: Ayushman Bharat to be the world's biggest healthcare scheme, says PM Modi|url=http://www.businesstoday.in/union-budget-2018-19/news/union-budget-2018-19-live-updates-arun-jaitley-speech-parliament/story/269260.html|work=Business Today|date=1 February 2018|access-date=21 October 2021|archive-date=14 March 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} The scheme will help 10 crore families in their medical need.{{cite news|last1=Pilla|first1=Viswanath|last2=Saraswathy|first2=M|title=National Health Protection Scheme: Modi government has its task cut out|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/economy/policy/budget-2018-national-health-protection-scheme-will-the-costs-match-up-2498531.html|publisher=Moneycontrol|date=2 February 2018|access-date=21 October 2021|archive-date=18 April 2023|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news|title=Budget 2018: Jaitley announces 'world's largest healthcare programme'|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/budget/budget-2018-jaitley-announces-worlds-largest-healthcare-programme/article22618631.ece|work=The Hindu|date=1 February 2018|access-date=21 October 2021|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421041501/https://www.thehindu.com/business/budget/budget-2018-jaitley-announces-worlds-largest-healthcare-programme/article22618631.ece|url-status=live}} More than a lakh people have taken benefit of the scheme till October 2018.{{citation |title=Ayushman Bharat off to flying start; 1 lakh beneficiaries join Modi's insurance scheme in just 1 month |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/ayushman-bharat-off-to-flying-start-1-lakh-subscribers-join-modis-insurance-scheme-in-just-1-month/1356710/ |work=The Financial Express |date=22 October 2018 |access-date=21 October 2021 |archive-date=30 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930155432/https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/ayushman-bharat-off-to-flying-start-1-lakh-subscribers-join-modis-insurance-scheme-in-just-1-month/1356710/ |url-status=live}}

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), a skill development initiative scheme of the Government of India for recognition and standardisation of skills.{{cite news|last1=Krishna|first1=Prabodh|title=Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana: Boon Or Bane|url=http://businessworld.in/article/-Pradhan-Mantri-Kaushal-Vikas-Yojana-Boon-Or-Bane/07-07-2017-121649/|publisher=Businessworld|date=7 July 2017|access-date=21 October 2021|archive-date=23 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123132155/http://www.businessworld.in/article/-Pradhan-Mantri-Kaushal-Vikas-Yojana-Boon-Or-Bane/07-07-2017-121649/|url-status=live}} Cabinet approved an outlay of {{INRConvert|120|b}} for the project. The scheme has a target to train 1 crore Indian youth from 2016 to 2020.{{citation |title=PM Modi-led Cabinet approves key decisions – from skilling 1 crore youth to NBCC disinvestment |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/economy/pm-modi-led-cabinet-approves-key-decisions-skilling-1-crore-youth-disinvestment/315487 |work=The Financial Express |date=13 July 2016 |access-date=21 October 2021 |archive-date=23 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423201941/https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/pm-modi-led-cabinet-approves-key-decisions-skilling-1-crore-youth-disinvestment/315487/ |url-status=live}} 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 {{INRConvert|8|k}}. 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 {{INRConvert|15|b}} 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.{{citation |title=17.93 lakh candidates trained under PMKVY as on 18 July |url=http://wap.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/17-93-lakh-candidates-trained-under-pmkvy-as-on-july-18-116072100579_1.html |work=Press Trust of India via Business Standard |date=21 July 2016 |access-date=21 October 2021 |agency=Press Trust of India |archive-date=16 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816174801/http://wap.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/17-93-lakh-candidates-trained-under-pmkvy-as-on-july-18-116072100579_1.html |url-status=live}}

An outlay of {{INRConvert|120|b}} 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.{{Cite journal|last=Puri|first=Natasha|date=30 August 2019|title=A Review of the National Education Policy of the Government of India – The Need for Data and Dynamism in the 21st Century|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=3472247|location=Rochester, NY|ssrn=3472247|website=Social Science Research Network (SSRN)}} 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.{{cite journal |last1=Sharma |first1=Madhulika |date=31 March 2016 |title=Narendra Modi and the new education policy: retrospection, reform and reality |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17516234.2016.1165330?journalCode=rapp20 |journal=Journal of Asian Public Policy |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=140–153 |doi=10.1080/17516234.2016.1165330 |s2cid=155156332 |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023135023/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17516234.2016.1165330?journalCode=rapp20 |url-status=live|url-access=subscription }} As of October 2018, the new policy had not been implemented.{{cite news |last1=Nanda |first1=Prashant K. |title=Education in 4 years of Modi government: Implementation remains a key hurdle |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/zOwRwPTKYp1SKPflDAY2QI/Education-in-4-years-of-Modi-government-Implementation-rema.html |access-date=27 March 2019 |work=Live Mint |date=26 May 2018 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327180540/https://www.livemint.com/Politics/zOwRwPTKYp1SKPflDAY2QI/Education-in-4-years-of-Modi-government-Implementation-rema.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=New national education policy may remain an unfinished agenda of Modi government before 2019 elections |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/new-national-education-policy-may-remain-an-unfinished-agenda-of-modi-government-before-2019-elections/1354902/ |access-date=27 March 2019 |work=The Financial Express |date=20 October 2018 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=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/ |url-status=live}}

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"{{Cite web|first=Akila|last=Radhakrishnan|url=https://www.thehinducentre.com/the-arena/current-issues/article29349517.ece|title=Draft New Education Policy and Schools for the Skilling Age|date=16 September 2019|access-date=21 October 2021|work=The Hindu Centre|archive-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925184205/https://www.thehinducentre.com/the-arena/current-issues/article29349517.ece|url-status=live}} and making "India a global knowledge superpower".{{Cite web|date=29 July 2020|title=New Education Policy 2020 Highlights: School and higher education to see major changes|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/new-education-policy-2020-live-updates-important-takeaways/story-yYm1QaeNyFW4uTTU3g9bJO.html|access-date=10 January 2021|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=30 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730001724/https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/new-education-policy-2020-live-updates-important-takeaways/story-yYm1QaeNyFW4uTTU3g9bJO.html|url-status=live}}

{{see also|Deportation of Indian nationals under Donald Trump|Operation Ganga}}

{{Further|Foreign policy of the Narendra Modi government|List of prime ministerial trips made by Narendra Modi}}

File:BRICS leaders meet on the sidelines of 2016 G20 Summit in China.jpg, Modi, Xi, Putin and Zuma.]]

File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at the QUAD Leaders’ Family Photo, in Tokyo, Japan on May 24, 2022.jpg meeting with Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, US president Joe Biden and Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida]]

Foreign policy played a relatively small role in Modi's election campaign, and did not feature prominently in the BJP's election manifesto.{{cite journal|last1=Hall|first1=Ian|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10357718.2014.1000263|title=Is a 'Modi doctrine' emerging in Indian foreign policy?|journal=Australian Journal of International Affairs|volume=69|issue=3|pages=247–252|date=2015|doi=10.1080/10357718.2014.1000263|s2cid=154260676|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023135456/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10357718.2014.1000263|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} Modi invited all the other leaders of SAARC countries to the ceremony where he was sworn in as prime minister.{{cite journal|last1=Grare|first1=Frederic|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0163660X.2014.1002158|title=India–Pakistan Relations: Does Modi Matter?|journal=The Washington Quarterly|date=Winter 2015|volume=37|issue=4|pages=101–114|doi=10.1080/0163660X.2014.1002158|s2cid=153923833|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023135601/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0163660X.2014.1002158|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}{{cite journal|last1=Pant|first1=Harsh V.|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0163660X.2014.978438|title=Modi's Unexpected Boost to India-U.S. Relations|journal=The Washington Quarterly|date=Fall 2014|volume=37|issue=3|pages=97–112|doi=10.1080/0163660X.2014.978438|s2cid=154940836|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023135713/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0163660X.2014.978438|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} He was the first Indian prime minister to do so.{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/in-a-first-modi-invites-saarc-leaders-for-his-swearingin/article6033710.ece | title=In a first, Modi invites SAARC leaders for his swearing-in | work=The Hindu | date=21 May 2014 | access-date=24 May 2014 | author=Swami, Praveen | location=Chennai, India | archive-date=25 May 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525000959/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/in-a-first-modi-invites-saarc-leaders-for-his-swearingin/article6033710.ece | url-status=live}} 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.{{Sfn|Def|2016|p=9-16}}

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. Modi continued his predecessor Manmohan Singh's policy of "multialignment."{{cite journal|last1=Hall|first1=Ian|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00358533.2016.1180760?journalCode=ctrt20|title=Multialignment and Indian Foreign Policy under Narendra Modi|journal=The Round Table|volume=105|issue=3|pages=271–286|date=2016|doi=10.1080/00358533.2016.1180760|s2cid=156737878|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023140500/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00358533.2016.1180760?journalCode=ctrt20|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} This involved the use of regional multilateral institutions and strategic partnerships to further the interests of the Indian government. The Modi administration tried to attract foreign investment in the Indian economy from several sources, especially in East Asia. 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. 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. Together with the US government, it created a "Joint Strategic Vision" for the Indian and Pacific oceans. 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." Modi added five bilateral strategic partnerships to the 25 that had been agreed by his predecessors Singh and Vajpayee.

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. During these visits, Modi attempted to draw further foreign investment in the Indian economy, with the use of slogans such as "Make in India" and "Digital India," put forward during a visit to Silicon Valley. One of Modi's first visits as prime minister was to Nepal, during which he promised a billion USD in aid.{{cite journal|last1=Mocko|first1=Anne|last2=Penjore|first2=Dorji|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276663606|title=Nepal and Bhutan in 2014|journal=Asian Survey|date=2015|volume=55|issue=1|pages=75–81|doi=10.1525/AS.2015.55.1.75|hdl=1885/13357|hdl-access=free}} Another early visit was to Bhutan. Modi also made several overtures to the United States, including multiple visits to that country. 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. As of July 2016, Modi had made 51 trips to 42 countries with the intent of strengthening diplomatic relations.{{citation |title=Will PM Narendra Modi be India's most travelled PM ever? |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/will-pm-narendra-modi-be-indias-most-travelled-pm-ever/articleshow/53389258.cms |work=The Economic Times |date=26 July 2016 |last1=Chaudhury |first1=Dipanjan Roy |access-date=22 October 2021 |archive-date=16 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216220949/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/will-pm-narendra-modi-be-indias-most-travelled-pm-ever/articleshow/53389258.cms |url-status=live}}{{citation |first=Nalin |last=Mehta |title=Modi's whirlwind diplomacy and why his 41st foreign trip matters |url=http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/academic-interest/modis-whirlwind-diplomacy-and-why-his-41st-foreign-trip-matters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522104046/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/academic-interest/modis-whirlwind-diplomacy-and-why-his-41st-foreign-trip-matters/ |work=The Times of India |date=4 June 2016 |access-date=22 October 2021 |archive-date=22 May 2019}}

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.{{cite journal|last1=Downie|first1=Edmund|url=https://thediplomat.com/2015/02/manipur-and-indias-act-east-policy/|title=Manipur and India's 'Act East' Policy|journal=The Diplomat|date=25 February 2015|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022142300/https://thediplomat.com/2015/02/manipur-and-indias-act-east-policy/|url-status=live}} 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. In June 2018, PM Modi articulated India's vision towards the "Indo-Pacific region" for the first time.{{cite web |author=Rahul Roy-Chaudhury |date=7 August 2018 |title=inclusive Indo-Pacific policy |url=https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/online-analysis//2018/08/modi-free-open-inclusive |website=The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) |access-date=11 May 2023 |archive-date=11 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511141644/https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/online-analysis//2018/08/modi-free-open-inclusive |url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web |date=19 February 2020 |author=Aman Thakker |title=A Free and Open Indo-Pacific Needs a Free and Open India |url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/02/a-free-and-open-indo-pacific-needs-a-free-and-open-india/ |website=The Diplomat |access-date=11 May 2023 |archive-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322152336/https://thediplomat.com/2020/02/a-free-and-open-indo-pacific-needs-a-free-and-open-india/ |url-status=live}}

He coined the concept of "three Ds" – democracy, demography and demand – to reflect the strength of the country.{{citation |first=Sreeram |last=Chaulia |title=How Modi Mobilizes the Indian Diaspora |url=http://www.theglobalist.com/narendra-modi-indian-diaspora-politics-india |work=The Globalist |date=4 December 2016 |access-date=22 October 2021 |archive-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024064505/https://www.theglobalist.com/narendra-modi-indian-diaspora-politics-india/ |url-status=live}}

{{wikinews|Indian Prime Minister accuses Pakistan of waging proxy war}}

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.{{cite journal|last1=Joshi|first1=Shashank|url=https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2015-05/features/india%E2%80%99s-nuclear-anxieties-debate-over-doctrine|title=India's Nuclear Anxieties: The Debate Over Doctrine|journal=Arms Control Today|date=May 2015|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924234335/https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2015-05/features/india%E2%80%99s-nuclear-anxieties-debate-over-doctrine|url-status=live}} 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. 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 administration's policy of increasing military spending every year, announcing an increase of 11% in the military budget in 2015.{{cite journal|last1=C. Ladwig|first1=Walter III|title=Indian Military Modernization and Conventional Deterrence in South Asia|journal=Journal of Strategic Studies|volume=38|issue=5|pages=729–772|date=May 2015|doi=10.1080/01402390.2015.1014473|s2cid=216088396|url=https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/indian-military-modernization-and-conventional-deterrence-in-south-asia(50860673-4327-4472-8c74-5e3536d0117b).html|access-date=10 December 2019|archive-date=28 March 2023|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/india-increases-military-budget-by-11-to-nearly-40-billion-1425124095 | work=The Wall Street Journal | first=Santanu | last=Choudhury | title=India Increases Military Budget By 11% to Nearly $40 Billion | date=28 February 2015 | access-date=22 October 2021 | archive-date=14 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114153222/http://www.wsj.com/articles/india-increases-military-budget-by-11-to-nearly-40-billion-1425124095 | url-status=live}} This increase was larger than the average growth under the Congress.

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.{{cite journal|last1=Singh|first1=M. Amarjeet|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17516234.2016.1165313?journalCode=rapp20|title=Narendra Modi and Northeast India: development, insurgency and illegal migration|journal=Journal of Asian Public Policy|date=2016|volume=9|issue=2|pages=112–127|doi=10.1080/17516234.2016.1165313|s2cid=155231943|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023140801/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17516234.2016.1165313?journalCode=rapp20|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |last1=Kashyap |first1=Samudra Gupta |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/simply-put-towards-accord-step-by-step/ |title=Towards the Govt-Naga peace accord: Everything you need to know |work=The Indian Express |date=4 August 2015 |access-date=30 November 2016 |archive-date=28 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128123558/http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/simply-put-towards-accord-step-by-step/ |url-status=live}} The NSCM and the government had agreed to a ceasefire in 1997, but a peace accord had not previously been signed. 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. The Modi government carried out a raid across the border with Myanmar as a result, and labelled the NSCM-K a terrorist organization.

Modi has repeatedly stated that Pakistan is an exporter of terrorism.{{cite news |title=PM slams Pakistan on terror: 10 quotes from Narendra Modi's speech in Kozhikode |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/pm-narendra-modi-kozhikode-kerala-speech-bjp-pakistan-uri-attack-3048273 |work=The Indian Express |date=24 September 2016 |access-date=22 October 2021 |archive-date=19 November 2016 |archive-url=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/ |url-status=live}}{{citation |first=Shyam |last=Balasubramanian |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pakistan-terrorism-PM-Narendra-Modi-G20-Summit-China/articleshow/54016423.cms |title=One nation in South Asia spreading terrorism: PM Modi at G20 Summit |work=The Times of India |date=5 September 2016 |access-date=22 October 2021 |archive-date=11 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311060910/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pakistan-terrorism-PM-Narendra-Modi-G20-Summit-China/articleshow/54016423.cms |url-status=live}} Modi increased the monetary compensation for victims of terrorist attacks, and stated that citizens of Azad Kashmir could also apply for this compensation.{{citation |first=Kamaljit Kaur |last=Sandhu |url=http://m.indiatoday.in/story/modi-pakistan-pok-enhanced-compensation-terror-victims/1/748273.html |title=Modi stumps Pak, announces enhanced compensation for terror victims, PoK residents can apply too |work=India Today |date=24 August 2016 |access-date=22 October 2021 |archive-date=25 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925230637/http://m.indiatoday.in/story/modi-pakistan-pok-enhanced-compensation-terror-victims/1/748273.html |url-status=live}} In September 2016, he urged the BRICS to target and destroy funding channels of terrorist groups.{{citation |title=BRICS Must Intensify Efforts Against Terror, Its Sponsors: PM Modi |url=http://m.ndtv.com/india-news/brics-must-intensify-efforts-against-terror-its-sponsors-pm-narendra-modi-1454357 |publisher=NDTV |date=4 September 2016 |access-date=22 October 2021 |archive-date=8 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208141459/http://m.ndtv.com/india-news/brics-must-intensify-efforts-against-terror-its-sponsors-pm-narendra-modi-1454357 |url-status=live}} On 29 September 2016, the Indian Army stated that it had conducted a surgical strike on terror launchpads in PoK,{{citation |first=Bhupendra |last=Chaubey |title=Surgical Strikes Have Upended Pak Doctrine: LoC, Stock and Barrel |url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/pakistan-doctrine-upended-loc-stock-and-barrel-1300426.html |work=News18 |date=10 October 2016 |access-date=22 October 2021 |archive-date=13 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313200016/http://www.news18.com/news/india/pakistan-doctrine-upended-loc-stock-and-barrel-1300426.html |url-status=live}} Pakistan denied the claims, while details of the confrontation were later released by the Indian Army. Video footages were released of the confrontations.{{citation |first1=Ellen |last1=Barry |first2=Salman |last2=Masood |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/30/world/asia/kashmir-india-pakistan.html?_r=0 |title=India Claims 'Surgical Strikes' Across Line of Control in Kashmir |newspaper=The New York Times |date=29 September 2016 |access-date=1 October 2016 |archive-date=2 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002083642/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/30/world/asia/kashmir-india-pakistan.html?_r=0 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Kashmir attack: India 'launches strikes against militants'|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37504308|publisher=BBC News|access-date=30 September 2016|date=29 September 2016|archive-date=30 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930034806/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37504308|url-status=live}}

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.{{Cite news|last1=Myers|first1=Steven Lee|last2=Barry|first2=Ellen|last3=Fisher|first3=Max|date=26 July 2017|title=How India and China Have Come to the Brink Over a Remote Mountain Pass|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/26/world/asia/dolam-plateau-china-india-bhutan.html|url-status=live|access-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827150313/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/26/world/asia/dolam-plateau-china-india-bhutan.html|archive-date=27 August 2017|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web|date=29 August 2017|title=Bhutan welcomes end of Doklam standoff |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bhutan-welcomes-end-of-dokalam-standoff/articleshow/60274631.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829202116/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bhutan-welcomes-end-of-dokalam-standoff/articleshow/60274631.cms|archive-date=29 August 2017|access-date=10 January 2021|website=The Times of India}}

The Modi administration has been active in the Defence policy,{{Cite web|author=Ministry of Defence|author-link=Ministry of Defence (India)|date=July 2016|title=Key Accomplishments|url=https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/accomplishments.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810011806/https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/accomplishments.pdf|archive-date=10 August 2019|access-date=10 January 2021|website=modigov.in|ref={{SfnRef|Def|2016}}}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Rajagopalan|first=Rajeswari Pillai|title=New Terror Attack Exposes India's Limited Options|url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/02/new-terror-attack-exposes-indias-limited-options/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216125212/https://thediplomat.com/2019/02/new-terror-attack-exposes-indias-limited-options/|date=15 February 2019|archive-date=16 February 2019|access-date=10 January 2021|website=The Diplomat}} 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.{{Cite news|last1=Abi-Habib|first1=Maria|last2=Yasir|first2=Sameer|last3=Kumar|first3=Hari|date=15 February 2019|title=India Blames Pakistan for Attack in Kashmir, Promising a Response|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/world/asia/kashmir-attack-pulwama.html|url-status=live|access-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223135448/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/world/asia/kashmir-attack-pulwama.html|archive-date=23 February 2019|issn=0362-4331|quote=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.}} The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based Islamistterrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed.{{Cite web|date=18 February 2019|first=Raj|last=Shekhar|title=Pulwama attack mastermind Abdul Rasheed Ghazi killed by security forces in Kashmir |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pulwama-attack-mastermind-abdul-rasheed-ghazi-killed-by-security-forces-in-kashmir/articleshow/68044481.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=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|archive-date=18 February 2019|access-date=10 January 2021|website=The Times of India}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Prabhu|first=Sunil|title=India Strikes After Pulwama Terror Attack, Hits Biggest Jaish-e-Mohammed Camp in Balakot|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-struck-biggest-training-camp-of-jaish-in-balakot-large-number-of-terrorists-eliminated-governm-1999390|url-status=live|archive-url=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|date=26 February 2019|archive-date=27 February 2019|access-date=10 January 2021|publisher=NDTV}}{{Cite web|title=Indian Air Strike Destroys Terror Camp in Pakistan, Upto 350 Terrorists Killed|url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/politics/pre-dawn-indian-air-strike-destroys-jem-camp-in-pakistan-sources-say-up-to-350-terrorists-killed-3|url-status=live|archive-url=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|date=26 February 2019|archive-date=27 February 2019|access-date=10 January 2021|website=BloombergQuint}}{{Cite news|date=26 February 2019|title=Viewpoint: Balakot air strikes raise stakes in India-Pakistan stand-off|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47370608|url-status=live|access-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227061938/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47370608|archive-date=27 February 2019}}

Following Galwan valley skirmishes, there were made serious policies against China.{{Cite book|last=Subramaniam|first=Arjun|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i-f1DwAAQBAJ|title=Full Spectrum: India's Wars, 1972-2020|publisher=India: Harper Collins|date=2020|isbn=9789353578060|pages=451–471|access-date=15 June 2022|archive-date=28 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328115027/https://books.google.com/books?id=i-f1DwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web|first1=Rezaul H.|last1=Laskar|first2=Rahul|last2=Singh|first3=Sutirtho|last3=Patranobis|date=18 June 2020|title=India warns China of serious impact on ties, Modi talks of 'befitting' reply|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-warns-china-of-serious-impact-on-ties-modi-talks-of-befitting-reply/story-pWgAXVlQT7yeQnepFpzj3O.html|access-date=10 January 2021|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=17 June 2020|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} 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".{{Cite news|last=Sudarshan|first=V.|date=1 June 2020|title=A phantom called the Line of Actual Control|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-phantom-called-the-line-of-actual-control/article31717488.ece|access-date=10 January 2021|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603120445/https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-phantom-called-the-line-of-actual-control/article31717488.ece|url-status=live}}

Modi's premiership has been marked by several terrorist attacks and security lapses, particularly in the conflict-prone region of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as other parts of India.

2016 Pathankot Attack

{{main|2016 Pathankot attack}}

On 2 January 2016, an armed group of terrorists, allegedly linked to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), attacked an Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, Punjab. The attack resulted in the deaths of seven security personnel and one civilian, with all six attackers killed. Critics highlighted intelligence failures and delays in response as contributing factors.{{Cite web |date=2016-01-02 |title=Pathankot terror attack strikes at heart of PM Modi’s Pakistan peacemaking |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/pathankot-terror-attack-strikes-at-heart-of-pms-pakistan-peacemaking/ |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}

2016 Uri Attack

{{main|2016 Uri attack}}

On 18 September 2016, four heavily armed militants attacked an Indian Army brigade headquarters in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, killing nineteen soldiers and injuring over thirty. The attack, attributed to Jaish-e-Mohammed, prompted a strong response from the Modi government, which authorised a surgical strike on 29 September 2016 across the Line of Control (LoC) targeting terrorist launchpads in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. While the government hailed the strike as a success, Pakistan denied the claims, and the incident escalated tensions between the two nations.{{Cite web |title=PM Modi remembers Uri surgical strike: ‘When BJP govt responded to bullets… |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-remembers-uri-surgical-strike-when-bjp-govt-responded-to-bullets-101727509881982.html |access-date=26 April 2025 |website=Hindustan Times}}{{Cite web |date=2016-09-25 |title=India's Modi hits out at Pakistan after attack in Kashmir |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/25/modi-news-india-hits-out-at-pakistan-after-attack-in-uri-kashmir.html |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=CNBC |language=en}}

2019 Pulwama Attack

{{main|2019 Pulwama attack}}

On 14 February 2019, a suicide bombing targeting a convoy of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, killed forty soldiers and injured thirty five others. The attack, claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammed, was the deadliest terrorist attack on Indian security forces in decades. The Modi government responded with the Balakot airstrike on 26 February 2019, targeting a JeM training camp in Pakistan. Open source satellite imagery revealed that no targets of consequence were hit.{{Cite news |last=Lalwani |first=Sameer |last2=Tallo |first2=Emily |date=2019-04-17 |title=Analysis {{!}} Did India shoot down a Pakistani F-16 in February? This just became a big deal. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/04/17/did-india-shoot-down-pakistani-f-back-february-this-just-became-big-deal/ |access-date=2025-04-26 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} “But these latest details about the India-Pakistan air battles threaten to discredit the BJP narrative and undermine its electoral prospects. Open-source satellite imagery revealed India did not hit any targets of consequence in the airstrikes it conducted after the terrorist attack on the paramilitaries. Additionally, reporting indicates that during the Feb. 27 air battle, friendly fire from an air-defense missile brought down an Indian military helicopter, killing six military personnel.” The airstrike was followed by an aerial skirmish, leading to heightened India-Pakistan tensions. The incident was leveraged in Modi’s 2019 election campaign.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2023-04-15 |title=Opposition targets PM Modi over Satya Pal Malik’s claims on Pulwama attack |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/opposition-targets-pm-modi-over-satya-pal-maliks-claims-on-pulwama-attack/article66741763.ece |access-date=2025-04-26 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}

2023 Parliament breach

{{main|2023 Indian Parliament breach}}

On 13 December 2023, a major security breach occurred at the Indian Parliament in New Delhi, when two individuals jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery, releasing smoke canisters, while two others detonated smoke outside, protesting unemployment and perceived authoritarianism. Enabled by lax security checks and visitor passes linked to a BJP MP Pratap Simha, the incident exposed significant vulnerabilities. The Modi government faced criticism for intelligence and security failures, with opposition leaders framing them as systemic issues. The response included arrests under the UAPA, stricter security protocols, and a controversial suspension of one hundred and forty six opposition MPs.{{Cite news |last=Ellis-Petersen |first=Hannah |date=2023-12-19 |title=Indian government accused of attack on democracy as 141 MPs suspended |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/19/indian-government-accused-attack-democracy-mps-suspended-modi-bjp |access-date=2025-04-26 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |title=Parliament breach: Security head's post vacant for over 45 days, 40% staff shortage at other levels |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/parliament-breach-security-heads-post-vacant-for-over-45-days-40-staff-shortage-at-other-levels-2814588 |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}

2025 Pahalgam attack

{{main|2025 Pahalgam attack}}

On 22 April 2025, a terrorist attack in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir, killed at least twenty six tourists, including two foreign nationals, and injured over twenty others. The Resistance Front (TRF), largely believed to be an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility, citing resistance to demographic changes in the Kashmir Valley, though the claim was later retracted. The attack, the deadliest since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, targeted Hindu tourists, with reports of religious profiling by the attackers. Modi condemned the attack, cut short a visit to Saudi Arabia, and chaired a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting, announcing measures such as suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and closing the Attari-Wagah border post. The government acknowledged security lapses, drawing criticism from the opposition.{{Cite web |title=Why Were There No Soldiers At Pahalgam, Asks Opposition. Centre Answers |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pahalgam-terrorist-attack-why-were-there-no-soldiers-at-pahalgam-asks-opposition-centre-answers-8252520 |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=www.ndtv.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Pahalgam Attack Exposes Deep Fault Lines in India’s Security Apparatus |url=https://thewire.in/security/pahalgam-attack-exposes-deep-faultlines-indian-security-apparatus |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=The Wire |language=en}}

File:Prime Minister Narendra Modi at India Pavilion in Paris during COP21 (23193999974).jpg, in Paris, announcing the founding of an International Solar Alliance (ISA). November 2015.]]

In naming his cabinet, Modi renamed the "Ministry of Environment and Forests" the "Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change."{{cite journal|last1=Kothari|first1=Ashish|url=https://www.epw.in/journal/2014/39/commentary/hundred-days-closer-ecological-and-social-suicide.html|title=A Hundred Days Closer to Ecological and Social Suicide|journal=Economic & Political Weekly|date=27 September 2014|access-date=23 October 2021|volume=49|issue=39|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023121755/https://www.epw.in/journal/2014/39/commentary/hundred-days-closer-ecological-and-social-suicide.html|url-status=live}} In the first budget of the government, the money allotted to this ministry was reduced by more than 50%. 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. 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.

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.{{cite news|last1=Barry|first1=Ellen|last2=Bagri|first2=Neha Thirani|title=Narendra Modi, Favoring Growth in India, Pares Back Environmental Rules|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/05/world/indian-leader-favoring-growth-sweeps-away-environmental-rules.html|work=The New York Times|date=4 December 2014|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=5 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205061053/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/05/world/indian-leader-favoring-growth-sweeps-away-environmental-rules.html|url-status=live}} 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. In addition, Modi lifted a moratorium on new industrial activity in the most polluted areas in the countries. The changes were welcomed by business people but were criticized by environmentalists.

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.{{cite journal|last1=Kumar|first1=Sanjay|title=India eases stance on GM crop trials|journal=Nature|date=12 May 2015|volume=521 |issue=7551|pages=138–9|doi=10.1038/521138a|pmid=25971488|bibcode=2015Natur.521..138K|doi-access=free}} Under the Modi government these restrictions were gradually lifted. 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.

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.{{citation |title=Modi launches International Solar Alliance |url=http://thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/modi-launches-international-solar-alliance/article7934560.ece |work=The Hindu |date=1 December 2015 |last1=Ananthakrishnan |first1=G. |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-date=14 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814135036/https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/modi-launches-international-solar-alliance/article7934560.ece |url-status=live}} He was also awarded the United Nations Champions of the Earth award in 2018 for his environmental policies.{{Cite news|last=Chaudhury|first=Dipanjan Roy|title=United Nations 'Champion of Earth' award for PM Narendra Modi|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/un-champion-of-earth-award-for-pm-narendra-modi/articleshow/65973252.cms|date=27 September 2018|access-date=24 November 2020|archive-date=28 January 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}

In 2022, India was placed at the bottom of the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) getting the lowest rank among 180 countries.{{cite news |title=Explained : Why is India ranked at the bottom of the 2022 Environmental Performance Index? |url=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 |access-date=21 August 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=11 June 2022 |archive-date=20 August 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live}}

Modi's first year as prime minister saw significant centralisation of power relative to previous administrations.{{cite journal|last1=Wyatt|first1=Andrew|title=India in 2014|journal=Asian Survey|date=2015|volume=55|issue=1|pages=33–47|doi=10.1525/AS.2015.55.1.33|hdl=1983/e5eeb791-2072-45b8-94b5-fc003dbb5a24|url=http://research-information.bristol.ac.uk/files/34843877/FINAL_PDF_offprint_AS5501_04_Wyatt_India.pdf|access-date=4 November 2018|archive-date=5 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105012256/https://research-information.bristol.ac.uk/files/34843877/FINAL_PDF_offprint_AS5501_04_Wyatt_India.pdf|url-status=live}} Modi personally selected the civil servants who served under his ministers, frequently giving them instructions without involving the ministers themselves. Modi's efforts at centralisation have been linked to an increase in the number of senior administration officials resigning their positions. 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.{{cite journal|last1=Sen|first1=Ronojoy|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1091200?journalCode=csas20|title=House Matters: The BJP, Modi and Parliament|journal=Journal of South Asian Studies|date=2015|volume=38|issue=4|pages=776–790|doi=10.1080/00856401.2015.1091200|s2cid=147683722|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023134505/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1091200?journalCode=csas20|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} 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.{{cite journal|last1=Stepan|first1=Alfred|url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/565644|title=India, Sri Lanka, and the Majoritarian Danger|journal=Journal of Democracy|date=January 2015|volume=26|issue=1|pages=128–140|doi=10.1353/jod.2015.0006|s2cid=153861198|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=7 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107105026/https://muse.jhu.edu/article/565644|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}

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.{{cite news | url=http://in.reuters.com/article/india-planningcommission-modi-idINKBN0KA1NA20150101 | work=Reuters | title=Modi replaces Planning Commission, aiming to boost growth | date=1 January 2015 | access-date=23 October 2021 | archive-date=23 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023124648/http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/01/01/india-planningcommission-modi-idINKBN0KA1NA20150101 | url-status=dead}}{{cite journal|last1=Sengupta|first1=Mitu|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1088609?journalCode=csas20|title=Modi Planning: What the NITI Aayog Suggests about the Aspirations and Practices of the Modi Government|journal=Journal of South Asian Studies|date=2015|volume=38|issue=4|pages=791–806|doi=10.1080/00856401.2015.1088609|s2cid=156027018|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023141404/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1088609?journalCode=csas20|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} The Planning Commission was a legacy of the Indian independence movement, although critics said that it was slowing economic growth.{{cite journal|last1=Patnaik|first1=Prabhat|title=From the Planning Commission to the NITI Aayog|url=https://www.epw.in/journal/2015/4/commentary/planning-commission-niti-aayog.html|journal=Economic & Political Weekly|date=24 January 2015|access-date=23 October 2021|volume=50|issue=4|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023123743/https://www.epw.in/journal/2015/4/commentary/planning-commission-niti-aayog.html|url-status=live}} The new body includes the leaders of all 29 Indian states, but its full-time staff report directly to the prime minister. The move had the effect of greatly centralising the power previously with the planning commission in the person of the prime minister.{{cite journal|last1=Ruparelia|first1=Sanjay|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1089974?journalCode=csas20|title='Minimum Government, Maximum Governance': The Restructuring of Power in Modi's India|journal=Journal of South Asian Studies|date=2015|volume=38|issue=4|pages=755–775|doi=10.1080/00856401.2015.1089974|s2cid=155182560|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023133827/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2015.1089974?journalCode=csas20|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} It also reduced the extent of control individual states had over their financial allocation from the union government, and unlike the planning commission, it does not have the power to allocate funds. 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.

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.{{citation |first=Amy|last=Kazmin|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/5badad82-3ff6-11e4-a381-00144feabdc0.html|title=Modi tackles India's 'Licence Raj' with a thousand cuts|work=Financial Times|location=London|date=21 September 2014|access-date=23 October 2021}}{{citation|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/india-takes-on-bureaucratic-red-tape-with-series-of-changes-1413476879|title=India Takes on Bureaucratic Red Tape With Series of Changes|first=Niharika|last=Mandhana|date=16 October 2014|access-date=23 October 2021|work=The Wall Street Journal|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112031718/https://www.wsj.com/articles/india-takes-on-bureaucratic-red-tape-with-series-of-changes-1413476879|url-status=live}} Modi also ordered reform among the bureaucrats of the Indian Administrative Service to ensure a more efficient government bureaucracy.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/it-s-all-work-no-holiday-for-babus-in-modi-govt/article1-1345644.aspx |archive-url=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 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 May 2015 |date=10 May 2015 |access-date=23 October 2021 |title=It's all work, no holiday for babus in Modi govt |work=Hindustan Times}}{{citation |last=Gowen |first=Annie |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/no-golf-long-days-are-new-norm-for-indias-bureaucrats/2014/07/10/661b4f82-06d9-11e4-8a6a-19355c7e870a_story.html |title=No golf, long days are new norm for India's bureaucrats |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=11 July 2014 |access-date=3 October 2015 |archive-date=4 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004134404/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/no-golf-long-days-are-new-norm-for-indias-bureaucrats/2014/07/10/661b4f82-06d9-11e4-8a6a-19355c7e870a_story.html |url-status=live}}

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. International humanitarian aid organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres was among the groups that were put under pressure. Other organisations affected included the Sierra Club and Avaaz. Cases of sedition were filed against individuals criticising the government. This led to discontent with Modi's style of functioning within the BJP, and drew comparisons to the governing style of Indira Gandhi.

Modi government has exploited the terrorism prevention law UAPA to intimidate and imprison critics and activists.{{cite news |last1=Ellis-Petersen |first1=Hannah |last2=Hassan |first2=Aakash |title=How a terrorism law in India is being used to silence Modi's critics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/10/how-terrorism-law-india-used-to-silence-modis-critics |access-date=12 December 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=10 December 2021 |archive-date=7 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207234817/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/10/how-terrorism-law-india-used-to-silence-modis-critics |url-status=live}}

He started a monthly radio program titled "Mann ki Baat" on 3 October 2014.{{citation |title=PM Modi thanks nation on 'Mann Ki Baat' anniversary, AIR plans survey |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/pm-modi-thanks-nation-on-mann-ki-baat-anniversary-air-plans-survey |work=The Indian Express |date=3 October 2015 |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-date=8 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208201835/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/pm-modi-thanks-nation-on-mann-ki-baat-anniversary-air-plans-survey/ |url-status=live}}

{{See also|List of legislations repealed under Modi government}}

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.{{citation |first=Harish V. |last=Nair |title=Goodbye, old laws: Modi government scraps 1,200 redundant Acts, 1,824 more identified for repeal |url=http://m.indiatoday.in/story/narendra-modi-law-ministry-ravi-shankar-prasad/1/984539.html |work=India Today |date=22 June 2017 |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-date=28 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628215103/http://m.indiatoday.in/story/narendra-modi-law-ministry-ravi-shankar-prasad/1/984539.html |url-status=live}}{{citation |first=Vishwa |last=Mohan |title=1,159 obsolete laws scrapped by Modi govt; 1,301 junked in previous 64 years |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/1159-obsolete-laws-scrapped-by-Modi-govt-1301-junked-in-previous-64-years/articleshow/52333875.cms |work=The Times of India |date=19 May 2016|access-date=17 February 2017}}{{citation |title=Report card: Two years later, here's how much Modi has delivered on his promises |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-two-years-of-modi-sarkar-what-was-promised-and-what-delivered-2216613 |work=Daily News and Analysis |date=26 May 2016 |access-date=17 February 2017 |archive-date=24 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124121024/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-two-years-of-modi-sarkar-what-was-promised-and-what-delivered-2216613 |url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Lok Sabha passes 2 bills to repeal 245 archaic laws|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/lok-sabha-passes-2-bills-to-repeal-245-archaic-laws/articleshow/62135666.cms|date=19 December 2017|access-date=11 January 2021|website=The Economic Times|archive-date=13 February 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}

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,{{Cite web |date=2024-06-14 |title=With new criminal laws, rights won in Supreme Court can be overturned by government |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/with-new-criminal-laws-rights-won-hard-in-the-sc-are-at-risk-of-being-overruled-by-the-government-9392038/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}} 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,{{Cite web |last=Bhalla |first=Vineet |date=2024-01-07 |title=How Modi government's new criminal laws drastically increase police powers |url=https://scroll.in/article/1061476/how-modi-governments-new-criminal-laws-drastically-increase-police-powers |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Scroll.in |language=en}} made it more difficult for the defendants to defend themselves at court and encourages prosecutors to produce potentially dubious evidence.{{Cite web |title=From Legislation to Litigation: Hurdles and Prospects in the Freshly Minted Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 |url=https://legalserviceindia.com/legal/article-13185-from-legislation-to-litigation-hurdles-and-prospects-in-the-freshly-minted-bharatiya-sakshya-bill-2023.html |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=legalserviceindia.com}}

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.{{citation |first1=Saurabh |last1=Kumar |first2=Moulishree |last2=Srivastava |title=Govt launches 22 new schemes under Digital India programme |url=http://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/QgFspv8UzykQP99AukcSjI/Govt-launches-22-new-schemes-under-Digital-India-programme.html |work=Live Mint |date=29 December 2015 |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-date=8 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208074749/http://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/QgFspv8UzykQP99AukcSjI/Govt-launches-22-new-schemes-under-Digital-India-programme.html |url-status=live}}{{citation |first1=Leslie |last1=D'Monte |first2=Moulishree |last2=Srivastava |url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/dzh7hnHafnvVI8hoIlNqPI/GST-to-take-care-of-many-of-ecommerce-firms-tax-issues-IT.html |title=GST to take care of many of e-commerce firms' tax issues: IT minister |work=Live Mint |date=21 November 2014 |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-date=9 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309213915/http://www.livemint.com/Politics/dzh7hnHafnvVI8hoIlNqPI/GST-to-take-care-of-many-of-ecommerce-firms-tax-issues-IT.html |url-status=live}} Under the programme, 400 railway Stations across the country are being equipped with Wi-Fi technology.{{citation |title=High-speed facility in 400 railway stations by 2017-end |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/highspeed-facility-in-400-railway-stations-by-2017end/article8562921.ece |work=The Hindu |date=6 May 2016 |access-date=23 October 2021 |last1=Srinivas |first1=Rajulapudi |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418014540/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/highspeed-facility-in-400-railway-stations-by-2017end/article8562921.ece |url-status=live}} 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.{{citation |first=Rajalakshmi |last=Nirmal |title=A digital India Inc |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/a-digital-india-inc/article9515492.ece |work=Business Line|location=Chennai |date=1 February 2017 |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-date=28 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128022758/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/a-digital-india-inc/article9515492.ece |url-status=live}}

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".{{Cite web |title=The Authoritarian Roots of India's Democracy |url=https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/the-authoritarian-roots-of-indias-democracy/ |access-date=6 February 2024 |website=Journal of Democracy}} This is credibly supported by the Swedish organization International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance categorising India as an "electoral autocracy" in March 2021.{{cite news |date=3 February 2021 |title=EIU Democracy Index 2020: India's rank slips 2 places, 'democratic backsliding' blamed for fall |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/politics/eiu-democracy-index-2020-indias-rank-slips-2-places-democratic-backsliding-blamed-for-fall-8195181.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=6 February 2021 |access-date=30 August 2022 |work=CNBC-TV18}} It is thought though, that the democratic backsliding has been driven primarily by PM Modi and the Hindu nationalist BJP.Christophe Jaffrelot (2023). Modi's India: Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Ethnic Democracy . Princeton University Press. Pillalamarri has 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."{{Cite web |title=Why India's Democracy is Not Dying |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/06/why-indias-democracy-is-not-dying/ |access-date=7 February 2024 |website=thediplomat.com}}

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.{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Shekhar |title=Modi is popular, BJP keeps winning, but India's indicators & global rankings are alarming |url=https://theprint.in/national-interest/modi-is-popular-bjp-keeps-winning-but-indias-indicators-global-rankings-are-alarming/569789/ |access-date=29 April 2023 |work=ThePrint |date=19 December 2020 |archive-date=29 April 2023 |archive-url=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/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Sharp Downslide: India Slips 11 Ranks in Press Freedom Index, Now 161 of 180 Countries |url=https://thewire.in/media/rsf-press-freedom-index-india |access-date=3 May 2023 |work=The Wire |date=3 May 2023 |archive-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503064702/https://thewire.in/media/rsf-press-freedom-index-india |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Bureau |first1=The Hindu |title=India slips in World Press Freedom Index, ranks 161 out of 180 countries |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-slips-in-world-press-freedom-index-ranks-161-out-of-180-countries/article66806608.ece |access-date=3 May 2023 |work=The Hindu |date=3 May 2023 |archive-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live}} India ranked 46th out of 165 independent countries and two territories in the Democracy Index published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for 2021.{{cite web | title=India's score declined significantly in recent years in EIU Democracy Index | website=Deccan Herald | date=10 February 2022 | url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/indias-score-declined-significantly-in-recent-years-in-eiu-democracy-index-1080071.html | access-date=30 August 2022 | archive-date=21 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021205109/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/indias-score-declined-significantly-in-recent-years-in-eiu-democracy-index-1080071.html | url-status=live}}

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.Price, G. (2022). Democracy in India. [online] Chatham House – International Affairs Think Tank. Available at: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2022/04/democracy-india .

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.{{Cite web |date=6 September 2023 |title=The Modi decade and how it changed India: India's endangered Democracy and declining press freedom {{!}} SOAS |url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/event/modi-decade-and-how-it-changed-india-indias-endangered-democracy-and-declining-press-0 |access-date=6 February 2024 |website=soas.ac.uk}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Our New Database Reveals Rise in Sedition Cases in the Modi Era |url=https://www.article-14.com/post/our-new-database-reveals-rise-in-sedition-cases-in-the-modi-era |access-date=6 February 2024 |website=article-14.com}} 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.{{Cite web |date=5 February 2024 |title=India {{!}} RSF |url=https://rsf.org/en/country/india |access-date=6 February 2024 |website=rsf.org}} 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. 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.

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.{{cite book |last1=Jaffrelot |first1=C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NbUSEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA354 |title=Modi's India: Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Ethnic Democracy |last2=Schoch |first2=C. |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=2021 |isbn=978-0-691-20680-6 |page=354 |access-date=30 August 2022 |archive-date=30 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830153929/https://books.google.com/books?id=NbUSEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA354 |url-status=live}}{{cite journal |last1=Jaffrelot |first1=Christophe |last2=Verniers |first2=Gilles |date=2 April 2020 |title=A new party system or a new political system? |journal=Contemporary South Asia |publisher=Informa UK Limited |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=141–154 |doi=10.1080/09584935.2020.1765990 |s2cid=221058484 |issn=0958-4935|doi-access=free}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Raman |first1=P. |title=Deep Pockets, Weaponised Agencies the Muck BJP's Operation Lotus Grows In |url=https://thewire.in/politics/operation-lotus-bjp-deep-pockets-captive-agencies |access-date=5 May 2023 |work=The Wire |date=21 December 2022 |archive-date=5 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505160624/https://thewire.in/politics/operation-lotus-bjp-deep-pockets-captive-agencies |url-status=live}} 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. A pattern of closing cases against political opponents who defect to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has also emerged.{{cite news |last1=Raman |first1=P. |date=25 March 2022 |title=Modi's Raid Raj: 'Janampatri' Has Emerged as Key Instrument of Power Against the Opposition |work=The Wire |url=https://thewire.in/politics/modis-raid-raj-janampatri-has-emerged-as-key-instrument-of-power-against-the-opposition |access-date=26 August 2022 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826163824/https://thewire.in/politics/modis-raid-raj-janampatri-has-emerged-as-key-instrument-of-power-against-the-opposition |url-status=live}} The charges of Saradha scam{{cite news |last1=Sen |first1=Suhit K |date=25 November 2019 |title=ACB's timing in shutting Maharashtra irrigation scam cases is questionable, brings back memories of Mukul Roy, Himanta Biswa Sarma |work=Firstpost |url=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 |access-date=26 August 2022 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live}} were dropped{{cite news |date=23 July 2019 |title=CBI did not examine Himanta Biswa Sarma in Saradha scam: Ex-Kolkata top cop to HC |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cbi-did-not-examine-himanta-biswa-sarma-in-saradha-scam-ex-kolkata-top-cop-to-hc/articleshow/70349359.cms |access-date=26 August 2022 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live}} against Himanta Biswa Sarma when he joined the BJP.{{cite news |last1=Kashyap |first1=Samudra Gupta |date=29 August 2015 |title=Tarun Gogoi's ex-confidante Himanta Biswa Sarma joins BJP in style |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/tarun-gogois-ex-confidante-himanta-biswa-sarma-joins-bjp-in-style/ |access-date=26 August 2022 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826163824/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/tarun-gogois-ex-confidante-himanta-biswa-sarma-joins-bjp-in-style/ |url-status=live}} Similar cases of corruption against Ajit Pawar,{{cite news |date=25 November 2019 |title=9 cases off, 'timing says it all' |work=The Telegraph Online |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/9-cases-off-kingpin-ajit-pawar-timing-says-it-all/cid/1722069 |access-date=26 August 2022 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826163824/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/9-cases-off-kingpin-ajit-pawar-timing-says-it-all/cid/1722069 |url-status=live}} Mukul Roy,{{cite news |date=3 November 2017 |title=Mukul Roy joins BJP, says law will take own course in Saradha chit fund scam |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/former-trinamool-leader-mukul-roy-joins-bjp/articleshow/61491706.cms |access-date=30 August 2022 |archive-date=30 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830121337/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/former-trinamool-leader-mukul-roy-joins-bjp/articleshow/61491706.cms |url-status=live}} Y.S. Chowdary and Harshvardhan Patil{{cite news |date=13 August 2021 |title=Getting sound sleep in BJP as there are no inquiries, says ex-MLA Harshvardhan Patil |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/harshvardhan-patil-bjp-sharad-pawar-7570630/ |access-date=30 August 2022 |archive-date=30 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830132358/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/harshvardhan-patil-bjp-sharad-pawar-7570630/ |url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Bhardwaj |first1=Ananya |title=CBI, ED, IT probes against opposition politicians – on at election time, off after that |url=https://theprint.in/india/cbi-ed-it-probes-against-opposition-politicians-on-at-election-time-off-after-that/640596/ |access-date=5 May 2023 |work=ThePrint |date=16 April 2021 |archive-date=5 May 2023 |archive-url=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/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Tiwari |first1=Deeptiman |title=Kin of Channi, Stalin, Mamata: In poll season, how central agencies get active |url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/kin-of-channi-stalin-mamata-poll-how-central-agencies-get-active-7766992/ |access-date=5 May 2023 |work=The Indian Express |date=11 February 2022 |archive-date=5 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505162600/https://indianexpress.com/elections/kin-of-channi-stalin-mamata-poll-how-central-agencies-get-active-7766992/ |url-status=live}}

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 .{{cite news |last1=Venu |first1=M.K. |date=28 July 2022 |title=With Low Conviction Rate, ED Is Nothing More Than a Caged Parrot That Can't Get Anyone to Sing |work=The Wire |url=https://thewire.in/law/ed-low-conviction-rate-caged-parrot-that-cant-get-anyone-to-sing |access-date=26 August 2022 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826084959/https://thewire.in/law/ed-low-conviction-rate-caged-parrot-that-cant-get-anyone-to-sing |url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=26 July 2022 |title=ED Action Has Increased Dramatically Under Modi Govt, Parliament Reply Reveals |work=The Wire |url=https://thewire.in/government/ed-action-has-increased-dramatically-under-modi-govt-parliament-reply-reveals |access-date=26 August 2022 |archive-date=17 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817225027/https://thewire.in/government/ed-action-has-increased-dramatically-under-modi-govt-parliament-reply-reveals |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=ED raids up 27x in 2014-2022 compared to 2004-14: Govt |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ed-raids-up-27x-in-2014-2022-compared-to-2004-14-govt/articleshow/93148727.cms |access-date=27 July 2022 |work=The Times of India |agency=PTI |date=5 May 2023 |archive-date=7 May 2023 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live}} The government data on convictions by the Income Tax Department is also abysmal.{{cite news |last1=Srivas |first1=Anuj |date=3 March 2020 |title=IT Dept and ED Raids Are at an All-Time High, but Convictions Remain Elusive |work=The Wire |url=https://thewire.in/political-economy/it-dept-and-ed-raids-are-at-an-all-time-high-but-convictions-remain-elusive |access-date=30 August 2022 |archive-date=30 August 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news |date=10 April 2019 |title=How 'Neutral' Are the IT Raids Conducted Over the Past Six Months? |work=The Wire |url=https://thewire.in/politics/it-raids-opposition-leaders-elections-2019-bjp |access-date=30 August 2022 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826165038/https://thewire.in/politics/it-raids-opposition-leaders-elections-2019-bjp |url-status=live}} Among the politicians booked, arrested, raided or questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation under the first eight years of Modi's government, 95% were from the opposition.{{cite news |last1=Tiwary |first1=Deeptiman |title=From 60% in UPA to 95% in NDA: A surge in share of Opposition leaders in CBI net |url=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/ |access-date=21 September 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=21 September 2022 |archive-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=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/ |url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news |title=ED will not chase me, I am a BJP MP: Sangli's sitting MP Sanjaykaka Patil |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/ed-will-not-chase-me-i-am-a-bjp-mp-sanjaykaka-patil/articleshow/87243137.cms |access-date=30 August 2022 |work=The Times of India |date=25 October 2021 |archive-date=30 August 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=West Bengal: Speaker accepts privilege motion against Suvendu after his I-T raid 'threat' in House |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/speaker-accepts-privilege-motion-against-suvendu-after-his-i-t-raid-threat-in-house-7825292/ |access-date=30 August 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=18 March 2022 |archive-date=30 August 2022 |archive-url=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/ |url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news |last1=Sodhi |first1=Tanishka |title=At least 44 times over 5 years: The NIA, ED and I-T 'crackdown' on the media |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2023/05/05/at-least-44-times-over-5-years-the-nia-ed-and-i-t-crackdown-on-the-media |access-date=6 May 2023 |work=Newslaundry |date=5 May 2023 |archive-date=5 May 2023 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live}}

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.

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.{{cite news |title=ED Director Tenure Extension Case: Union Govt Calls Petitions 'Politically Motivated' |url=https://thewire.in/government/ed-director-tenure-extension-politically-motivated |access-date=10 May 2023 |work=The Wire |date=6 September 2022 |archive-date=27 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527072901/https://thewire.in/government/ed-director-tenure-extension-politically-motivated |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title='No Further Extensions,' SC Upholds Union Govt Move to Increase ED Director's Tenure |url=https://thewire.in/law/sk-mishra-enforcement-directorate-supreme-court-extension |access-date=10 May 2023 |work=The Wire |date=8 September 2021 |archive-date=27 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527072858/https://thewire.in/law/sk-mishra-enforcement-directorate-supreme-court-extension |url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news |title=Move to Allow Extension of CBI, ED Tenures Seen as Attack on Independence of Probe Agencies |url=https://thewire.in/government/centre-ordinances-extension-tenure-cbi-ed-chiefs-5-years |access-date=10 May 2023 |work=The Wire |date=15 November 2021 |archive-date=27 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527072858/https://thewire.in/government/centre-ordinances-extension-tenure-cbi-ed-chiefs-5-years |url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news |title=SC Amicus Says Amendment to Extend ED Chief's Tenure Should Be Scrapped |url=https://thewire.in/law/sc-amicus-says-amendment-to-extend-ed-chiefs-tenure-should-be-scrapped |access-date=10 May 2023 |work=The Wire |date=9 May 2023 |archive-date=10 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510072804/https://thewire.in/law/sc-amicus-says-amendment-to-extend-ed-chiefs-tenure-should-be-scrapped |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Sanjay Kumar Mishra will not continue as ED Director beyond November 2023: Centre informs Supreme Court |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sanjay-kumar-mishra-will-not-continue-as-ed-director-beyond-november-2023-centre-informs-supreme-court/article66826167.ece |access-date=10 May 2023 |work=The Hindu |date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news |last1=Sen |first1=Jahnavi |title=Six Numbers the Modi Government Did Not Want You to Know in 2019 |url=https://thewire.in/politics/narendra-modi-data-npr-nrc-economy |access-date=16 September 2022 |work=The Wire |date=30 December 2019 |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915222513/https://thewire.in/politics/narendra-modi-data-npr-nrc-economy |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Raghavan |first1=T.C.A. Sharad |title=Two remaining National Statistical Commission members resign |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/2-remaining-nsc-members-resign/article26122815.ece |access-date=16 September 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=29 January 2019 |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915222510/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/2-remaining-nsc-members-resign/article26122815.ece |url-status=live}}

The government withheld National Crime Records Bureau data for 2017.,{{cite news |last1=Mehta |first1=Bharat |title=NCRB fails to publish 'Crime in India' report even after year |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/ncrb-fails-to-publish-crime-in-india-report-even-after-year/articleshow/67445165.cms |access-date=16 September 2022 |work=The Times of India |date=9 January 2019 |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Daniyal |first1=Shoaib |title=The Daily Fix: Modi government bid to hide unemployment rate, other key data hurts Indian democracy |url=https://scroll.in/article/911442/the-daily-fix-modi-governments-moves-to-hide-official-statistics-greatly-damages-indian-democracy |access-date=16 September 2022 |work=Scroll.in |date=31 January 2019 |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live}}

{{Main|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.{{cite news |last1=Mander |first1=Harsh |title=How the Centre's disastrous decisions on vaccines cost the lives of lakhs of Indians |url=https://scroll.in/article/1030719/how-the-centres-disastrous-decisions-on-vaccines-cost-the-lives-of-lakhs-of-indians |access-date=17 September 2022 |work=Scroll.in |date=17 September 2022 |archive-date=17 September 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news |last1=Kaur |first1=Banjot |title=Lancet Study Says India Had the Highest Mortality of Any Country During Pandemic |url=https://thewire.in/health/lancet-study-india-highest-mortality-covid-19-pandemic |access-date=16 September 2022 |work=The Wire |date=11 March 2022 |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915222512/https://thewire.in/health/lancet-study-india-highest-mortality-covid-19-pandemic |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=No Rest for the Weary: WHO Report Says India Undercounted COVID Deaths by 10x |url=https://science.thewire.in/health/who-report-india-undercounted-covid-deaths-10x/ |access-date=16 September 2022 |work=The Wire |date=6 May 2022 |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915222513/https://science.thewire.in/health/who-report-india-undercounted-covid-deaths-10x/ |url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web | title=United with India: Supporting India's COVID-19 vaccination drive | website=UNSDG | date=2 May 2022 | url=https://unsdg.un.org/latest/stories/united-india-supporting-indias-covid-19-vaccination-drive | access-date=8 May 2022 | quote=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. | archive-date=13 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013134248/https://unsdg.un.org/latest/stories/united-india-supporting-indias-covid-19-vaccination-drive | url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web | title=Covid-19 vaccines prevented over 42 lakh deaths in India in 2021: Lancet study | website=mint | date=24 June 2022 | url=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 | access-date=26 August 2022 | archive-date=13 October 2022 | archive-url=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 | url-status=live}}

• Government of India
• Bharatiya Janata Party
• First Modi ministry
• Second Modi ministry
• Third Modi ministry
• List of international prime ministerial trips made by Narendra Modi
• Chief ministership of Narendra Modi
• List of awards and honours received by Narendra Modi

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

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{{Commons}}

{{Wikinews}}

{{Portal bar|Politics|Conservatism|India|2010s|2020s}}{{Government Schemes in India}}{{Premiership of Narendra Modi|state=collapsed}}

Category:Narendra Modi

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Category:Democratic backsliding in India