India must pursue inclusive growth to achieve developed status by 2047

India's path to developed-nation status by 2047 depends on embracing inclusive growth that benefits all citizens, NITI Aayog CEO Anurag Jain said on Friday while addressing the Global Fintech Fest 2026. While acknowledging the country's reasonable progress on economic expansion, Jain highlighted significant regional disparities that demand urgent attention.

"Some states have performed exceptionally well on health and education indicators, but certain states are lagging behind," Jain said. "We need to concentrate on them as well." The NITI Aayog chief stressed that inclusive development requires ensuring widespread access to quality education and skill development opportunities that enable citizens to participate in productive employment or entrepreneurial ventures.

Jain noted that measuring India's progress requires looking beyond conventional per capita income figures. "We need to ensure how many people in the lowest 10 or 20 per cent of the population are benefiting from growth," he said. This broader approach to development metrics underscores the importance of reducing wealth inequality alongside expanding the overall economy.

The NITI Aayog chief expressed confidence in India's capacity to achieve prosperity through technological advancement and economic inclusion, though he acknowledged uncertainties about future developments in the rapidly evolving technology sector.