Subhechcha Ganguly 
The Ātmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India Mission), launched in May 2020, represents a bold reimagining of India’s developmental pathway. Triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption of global supply chains, the initiative was conceived to make India more resilient, innovative, and self-sustaining.
However, Ātmanirbharta—literally “self-reliance”—is not isolationist. It reflects a vision of India as both self-sufficient and globally connected, rooted in the moral traditions of swadeshi (local empowerment), sahabhāgita (collective participation), and dharma (ethical responsibility). The approach emphasizes that India’s strength lies not in closing itself off, but in building internal capacities so it can engage the world with confidence.
The initiative rests on five foundational pillars: economy, infrastructure, system, vibrant demography, and demand. Together, they form a blueprint for transforming India into a modern, sustainable, and inclusive economy. The economic pillar emphasizes structural reforms—such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes in sectors like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and solar manufacturing—that aim to make India a global manufacturing hub. For instance, India’s success in becoming one of the world’s largest mobile phone manufacturers under the PLI scheme exemplifies how targeted incentives can attract global firms while boosting domestic capabilities. The infrastructure pillar focuses on creating modern and green assets through projects such as the National Infrastructure Pipeline and PM Gati Shakti, which integrate logistics, energy, and transport systems. These large-scale initiatives aim to connect rural and urban India, enhancing trade and employment opportunities.
A central aspect of Ātmanirbhar Bharat is the strengthening of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). These enterprises account for nearly 30% of India’s GDP and employ over 110 million people. Government reforms, including collateral-free credit guarantees and digital marketplaces like Government e-Marketplace (GeM), have enabled MSMEs to participate directly in national and global supply chains. Similarly, rural industries—from handloom clusters in Varanasi to coir cooperatives in Kerala—illustrate how localized production can contribute to national resilience while preserving traditional knowledge systems. Strengthening these sectors helps reduce import dependence, distribute income more evenly, and align with the broader vision of inclusive growth.
Technological sovereignty forms another critical dimension. The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in India’s reliance on imported technology and medical equipment. Since then, indigenous innovation has become a national priority. Initiatives such as Digital India, Startup India, and the Atal Innovation Mission have spurred a thriving innovation ecosystem. For example, the development of CoWIN, the digital platform for vaccine delivery, showcased India’s ability to build scalable digital public goods for both domestic use and global collaboration. Similarly, advancements in space technology through ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission and in semiconductor manufacturing through the India Semiconductor Mission underscore a decisive move toward technological independence. Investing in R&D, building robust intellectual property systems, and ensuring data sovereignty through local data centres are key to sustaining this momentum.
Human capital development remains at the heart of self-reliance. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 provides a roadmap for integrating critical thinking, ethics, and innovation
into education, aligning it with the needs of Industry 4.0. Initiatives under Skill India and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) aim to train youth in emerging fields such as AI, robotics, biotechnology, and green energy. Women’s empowerment is central to this human development strategy; programs like Stand Up India and Mudra Yojana have provided millions of women entrepreneurs with access to finance. Additionally, schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and PM Jan Arogya Yojana ensure health security, a prerequisite for a productive workforce. These policies combine to create a foundation where innovation, education, and equity reinforce one another.
Equally important is environmental sustainability. A truly self-reliant nation must operate within ecological limits. India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and the expansion of solar energy under the International Solar Alliance demonstrate how green growth aligns with self-reliance. Projects promoting electric mobility, green hydrogen, and waste-to-energy transitions highlight the synergy between sustainability and industrial innovation. In agriculture, the promotion of organic farming in Sikkim and the adoption of water-efficient technologies in states like Punjab and Maharashtra illustrate how local ecological practices can be scaled nationally. Building a circular economy through recycling, reuse, and responsible consumption further integrates sustainability into the economic fabric.
Implementation of Ātmanirbhar Bharat requires collaborative governance and robust evaluation. Public–private partnerships can mobilize capital and innovation, while regional clusters—such as the defence corridor in Tamil Nadu or the textile park in Gujarat—can foster sector-specific excellence. Simplifying regulatory frameworks through digital governance platforms and ensuring transparency in public procurement will enhance trust and efficiency. Success should be measured not only in GDP terms but through multidimensional indicators: employment generation, export diversification, technological advancement, and environmental performance.
Ultimately, Ātmanirbhar Bharat is as much an ethical vision as an economic one. It aligns with the philosophical ethos of Dharma (duty) and Sarvodaya (welfare of all), seeking harmony between economic ambition, social justice, and environmental balance.
Self-reliance, in this sense, does not mean standing apart from the world but contributing meaningfully to it—through innovation, compassion, and shared progress. The mission envisions an India that is technologically advanced yet spiritually grounded, globally integrated yet locally empowered. By nurturing human potential, protecting the environment, and fostering innovation, Ātmanirbhar Bharat can guide India toward a future where growth and ethics coexist in mutual strength—a model for a resilient and responsible 21st-century nation.
–Dr. Piyali Mitra
Deputy Editor, Asian Bioethics Review, Singapore
Director, The International Centre of Applied Ethics and Public Ethics (ICAEPA), Sheffield, UK.
