Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The ambitious national vision of a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) by 2047 represents a pivotal goal for India's centenary of independence. This essay argues that the realisation of this vision is fundamentally contingent on achieving genuine and comprehensive social inclusion, moving beyond aggregate economic growth to ensure equitable participation for all citizens. It posits that without actively dismantling the entrenched hierarchies of caste, tribe, class, and gender, development will remain exclusionary and unsustainable. The analysis establishes that while progress on metrics like multidimensional poverty is notable, profound disparities persist in human capital formation, economic security, and digital access for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women, as evidenced by disaggregated data from national surveys. Conceptually, the study frames inclusion for Viksit Bharat as a transformative project based on four pillars: recognition and dignity, redistributive justice, representation, and resilience. It evaluates current policies and identifies a critical gap: many interventions function as safety nets rather than as engines for structural change. Consequently, the pathway to 2047 requires a paradigm shift in policy, advocating for a rights-based architecture that guarantees universal social security, promotes diversified entrepreneurship within marginalised communities, governs digital technologies with explicit inclusivity mandates, and fosters an empowered conception of citizenship. Ultimately, the study concludes that the true measure of a developed India will be the security, dignity, and agency of its most historically excluded citizens, making social inclusion the indispensable cornerstone of the national compact for 2047. IntroductionThe ambitious vision of "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) by 2047, marking the centenary of Indian independence, represents a profound national aspiration to transcend into a realm of high-income status, advanced infrastructure, and comprehensive human development.However, the true metric of this development will not be its skyscrapers or GDP figures alone, but the degree to which its fruits are equitably shared by every citizen.Social inclusion, therefore, is not a peripheral component but the very cornerstone of this vision.A developed India that perpetuates historical hierarchies, economic disparities, and social exclusion would be a fundamental failure of its founding ideals.This study explores the conceptual underpinnings of social inclusion within the Viksit Bharat framework, analyses the current landscape through key data, and outlines the necessary policy perspectives to ensure that the journey to 2047 is one of shared prosperity and dignity for all, particularly for historically marginalized communities. Conceptualising Social Inclusion for a Developed IndiaSocial inclusion in the context of Viksit Bharat must be understood as a dynamic, multi-dimensional process.It moves beyond the limited concept of "integration" to advocate for the active participation and empowerment of all individuals and groups in the social, economic, political, and cultural life of the nation, without discrimination.Its core pillars are:1. Recognition and Dignity: The foundational step is the unequivocal recognition of the historical and structural injustices faced by groups like Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), religious minorities, persons with disabilities, and women across these categories.Inclusion necessitates dismantling the stigma and prejudice that deny dignity.
Authors: Dr.K.Venkata Reddy, Dr.E.Raghunath Reddy
Language: English
Subfield: Economics and Econometrics
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Reduced inequalities
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7171772410