As the world welcomes 2025, a reflection on governance reveals pressing challenges for the coalition government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Drawing from historical traditions, where the new year symbolizes fresh responsibilities, a roadmap for 2025 must address the nation’s most critical issues across economic, social, and institutional domains. Here is a comprehensive list of priorities:
Controlling inflation is paramount as retail inflation hit a 14-month high of 6.21% and food inflation reached 10.87% in October 2024. Alongside this, the gross domestic product growth rate, revised to 6.6% by the Reserve Bank of India, signals the need for urgent economic revitalization. Foreign direct investment has seen a decline of ₹13,000 crore over the last fiscal year, while the rupee hit a record low of 85.27 against the U.S. dollar in December 2024.
The youth unemployment rate persists at 10%, exacerbated by the fact that half of all college graduates are not job-ready. Agricultural distress continues, with rural wages declining and stagnating over the past five years. Furthermore, 30 farmers die by suicide daily, and protests for a legal guarantee on minimum support prices remain unresolved.
Women’s safety demands immediate attention, particularly in addressing the legal exception for marital rape under Section 63 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Manual scavenging, despite being banned in 2013, resulted in 443 deaths between 2018 and 2020. Press freedom is under threat, with 194 journalists targeted in 2022 alone. Meanwhile, women’s representation in Parliament remains abysmally low at 13.6%.
Institutional integrity must be bolstered by filling vacant positions in key commissions and appointing a Deputy Speaker for the Lok Sabha, a position left unoccupied throughout the 17th Lok Sabha. Legislative scrutiny also requires improvement, as over 100 bills have been passed with minimal consultation since 2019. Respect for dissent is critical, with a significant rise in opposition MP suspensions and politically targeted cases by investigative agencies.
Addressing communal violence and safeguarding minorities is essential as incidents of hate speech and property demolitions have risen. The delayed Census of 2021 and unutilized funds for programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao exemplify inefficiencies that must be rectified.
As the violence in Manipur displaces thousands and digital fraud costs the nation ₹1,616 crore in 2024 alone, the government must prioritize infrastructure safety, internet security, and equitable welfare. These 25 priorities highlight the path for more effective and inclusive governance in 2025.
