Launched in 2014, the Make in India initiative has completed 10 years this year. This initiative has significantly contributed to making the nation self-reliant and independent, boosted the confidence of startups, won the faith of foreign investors, and welcomed foreign companies. In 2024, as we celebrate the decennial of the Make in India flagship programme, let’s look back at this initiative and its success.

In this article, we will talk about some key achievements of the Make in India initiative. We will also discuss key figures, such as ex-IAS officers and DPIIT secretaries Amitabh Kant, Ramesh Abhishek, and Anurag Jain, who contributed to this initiative.

Key Achievements of the Make in India Initiative

Launch of First ‘Made in India’ Airbus

One of the key achievements of the Make in India initiative is the upcoming launch of the first ‘Made in India’ Airbus H125 helicopter by 2026. This development is a result of the partnership between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) under the flagship programmes of Make in India and Atamnirabhar Bharat. The development is expected to enhance helicopter manufacturing capabilities in India, support the growth of civil aviation, and identify the potential of the promising helicopter market in the country.

Sunny Guglani, the head of Airbus Helicopters in India and South Asia, has played a crucial role in articulating a vision for the Indian helicopter market. Apart from this, several IAS officers, and other notable government officers contributed to the project at different stages.

Development of Industrial Corridors

Another key achievement of Make in India is the development of industrial corridors that will connect all the major cities, easing the transportation of goods and services. Ramesh Abhishek, an ex-IAS officer and the DPIIT secretary from 2016 to 2019, Ex IAS officer and CEO NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant, and other notable IAS officers such as Guruprasad Mohapatra, Anurag Jain, Rajesh Kumar Singh has contributed significantly in Industrial corridors.

Welcomed Huge Foreign Investment

The Make in India initiative has welcomed huge foreign investment, across various sectors, including manufacturing, defence, electronics, and automotive. By liberalising FDI (Foreign direct investment) norms and creating a more conducive business environment, the government has boosted investor confidence, leading to increased capital inflows from global companies.

Former finance minister Arun Jaitley, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, former Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad, along with several government officials, subject matter experts, and notable IAS officers have played pivotal roles in liberating the FDI norms and attracting foreign investments.

Shaktikanta Das, current RBI Governor and retired IAS officer in his monetary policy statement on December 8, 2023, mentioned that Net foreign direct investment (FDI), moderated to US$ 10.4 billion in April–October 2023 from US$ 20.8 billion in 2022. The statistics presented by an Ex-IAS officer and 25th RBI governor highlight the significance of Foreign investment.

Significant Contributors in Make in India Initiative

From government officials such as IAS officers Amitabh Kant, Ramesh Abhishek, and Anurag Jain to industrialists like Anand Mahindra, Mukesh Amabhi, ministers like Suresh Prabhu, Arun Jaitle, Nirmala Shitaraman have contributed highly in making the Make in India a success.

IAS officer Amitabh Kant played a huge role in the initial stage of the Make in India initiative. Ramesh Abhishek, an IAS officer from the 1982 batch, has been appointed as successor to Amitabh Kant as the Secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). Ramesh Abhishek’s appointment underscores the government’s commitment to advancing the “Make In India” initiative, which aims to enhance manufacturing and investment in the country.

Succeeding Ramesh Abhishek, Guruprasad Mohapatra, an IAS officer has been appointed for the Make in India flagship initiative in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) aiming to prevent crony capitalism and ensure that the initiative is executed with integrity and diligence.

Apart from this, several IAS officers and teams have been appointed for the Make in India initiative to ensure its success and continuous growth.

Make in India Initiative — Is It a Success?

Many IAS officers view “Make in India” as a crucial step towards enhancing domestic manufacturing and attracting foreign investment. They emphasise the initiative’s role in boosting the Indian economy and creating jobs.

Considered the administrative arm of the All India Services of the Government of India, IAS officers also appreciate the initiative to integrate “Make in India” with other governmental programs like “Startup India” and “Digital India.” The IAS officers believe that a cohesive approach can enhance the overall impact of these initiatives, fostering an ecosystem conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship.

Multiple IAS officers have also advocated the necessity for skill development and training required to achieve the goals of “Make in India.” Overall the Make in India initiative has been appreciated across the country by the notable IAS officers.

Discussing the environment that programmes such as Make in India, Start-up India and Digital India, one of the notable Ex-IAS officer Amitabh Kant once said;

“If such an environment had existed during my time, I would have become a startup entrepreneur instead of appearing for the IAS exam”

• Amitabh Kant, ex- IAS officer

Today, the Make in India initiative has opened doors for a significant presence in India and welcomed several companies in different sectors including the Automotive Sector, Electronics System Design and Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, Pharmaceuticals, Food Processing, Roads and Highways etc.

The Make in India initiative also contributed to making the country self-reliant in science and technology.

Different programs associated with Make in India such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for white goods proved to be a game changer. Highlighting its success, IAS officer Anurag Jain says in an article published in Business Times, how the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for white goods has received a tremendous response, which is considered a significant boost for the “Make in India” initiative.

Conclusion

The achievements of the Make in India scheme demonstrate its positive impact on various aspects of the Indian economy, from improving the business environment to boosting manufacturing growth and attracting investments. Numerous IAS officers including Ramesh Abhishek, Anurag Jain, Amitabh Kant, ministers, and entrepreneurs, as well as the startup ecosystem, have welcomed and supported the initiative, which has significantly contributed to its notable achievements.