India’s Political Report Card 🗳️
Congress (2004–2014) vs BJP (2014–2025)
A data-driven scroll through two decades of governance, growth, and grit.
This scroll compares the governance outcomes of India’s two major political regimes—Congress-led UPA (2004–2014) and BJP-led NDA (2014–2025). From economy and defense to agriculture and education, each sector is evaluated using publicly available data and policy milestones.
📈 Economy
| Metric | Congress (2004–2014) | BJP (2014–2025) |
|---|---|---|
| GDP Growth (avg) | ~7.7% (2004–2011), slowed to ~6.4% by 2014 | ~6.8% (2014–2023), pandemic dip, recovery post-2021 |
| GDP Size | $1.2T → $2T | $2T → $4.19T |
| Per Capita Income | ₹24,143 (2004) → ₹74,920 (2014) | ₹74,920 → ₹1.72 lakh (2024 est.) |
| Inflation | Peaked at 11% (2013), food inflation high | Averaged ~4.5% post-2016, stable CPI |
| Forex Reserves | $113B (2004) → $304B (2014) | $304B → $645B (2024) |
| FDI Inflows | $30B/year avg (2014) | $70B/year avg (2023), Make in India push |
| Exports | $312B (2013–14) | $776B (2022–23, goods + services) |
| Poverty Reduction | ~270M lifted out of poverty (2005–2014) | ~250M lifted (2014–2023), extreme poverty <5% |
| Unemployment Rate | ~5.6% (2013) | ~4.8% (2023 est.), pandemic spike in 2020 |
| Fiscal Deficit | ~5.7% of GDP (2014) | ~5.8% (2023), pandemic stimulus impact |
| Tax Reforms | VAT rollout, limited direct tax reform | GST launched (2017), faceless IT assessment, digital compliance |
| Digital Economy | Limited penetration, 3G era | UPI, JAM trinity, ₹25 lakh crore DBT transfers |
Sources: The Wire, IMPRI India, IndiaTracker
💼 Employment & Workforce
| Metric | Congress (2004–2014) | BJP (2014–2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Job Creation Rate | ~6% growth over 10 years | ~36% growth over 10 years |
| Total Jobs Created | ~2.7 crore (est.) | ~19.2 crore salaried + 8.6 crore informal/gig |
| Unemployment Rate | ~5.6% (2013), youth unemployment rising | ~4.8% (2023 est.), pandemic spike in 2020 |
| EPFO Registrations | ~3 crore | ~10 crore (2014–2024), formalization surge |
| Gig & Platform Economy | Untracked, informal | e-Shram portal: 28 crore+ workers registered |
| Women Workforce Participation | ~27% (2011 Census) | ~24% (2024 est.), post-pandemic recovery ongoing |
| MSME Employment | ~8 crore jobs, limited digital access | ~11 crore jobs, Udyam portal, credit & skilling push |
| Skill Development | MSME training, scattered schemes | PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Skill India, NSQF framework |
| Labor Reforms | Multiple outdated laws, fragmented compliance | 4 labor codes consolidated (2020), implementation pending |
| Entrepreneurship Schemes | Limited MSME support | Startup India, Mudra Yojana, Stand-Up India |
Sources: Economic Times, Hindustan Times, Organiser
🪖 Defense & Military Modernization
| Metric | Congress (2004–2014) | BJP (2014–2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Defense Budget | ₹58,000 crore (2004) → ₹2.03 lakh crore (2014) | ₹2.03 lakh crore (2014) → ₹7.31 lakh crore (2025) |
| Military Spending (USD) | $26B (2004) → $46B (2014) | $46B (2014) → $83.6B (2023) |
| Army Strength | ~1.2 million | ~1.25 million, Agniveer scheme launched |
| Air Force Modernization | Delayed Rafale deal, MiG-21 phaseout began | Rafale inducted, Tejas Mk1A orders, S-400 systems |
| Navy Expansion | 140+ ships, 1 aircraft carrier (INS Vikramaditya) | 150+ ships, 2 carriers (INS Vikrant), nuclear subs |
| Defense Reforms | DRDO expansion, slow procurement | CDS post created, DAP 2020, Agnipath, Make in India |
| Indigenous Production | ~30% self-reliance | ~60% self-reliance, 470+ defense licenses issued |
| Strategic Strikes | None | Surgical Strike (2016), Balakot Airstrike (2019) |
| Defense Exports | ₹1,153 crore (2014) | ₹21,083 crore (2024), exports to 100+ countries including bulletproof vests, drones, radars |
| Defense Startups & Innovation | Limited private participation | iDEX platform launched, 140+ startup challenges, 210+ industries onboarded: makeinindiadefence.gov.in |
Sources: PIB: Defense Exports Surge, South Asian Voices, iDEX Platform
🌾 Agriculture & Rural Economy
| Metric | Congress (2004–2014) | BJP (2014–2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture GDP Growth | 1.4% → 1.2% (2014) | 1.2% → 2.1% (2024 est.) |
| Farm Subsidies | MSP expansion, loan waivers | PM-KISAN, eNAM, DBT reforms |
| Irrigation Coverage | ~42% of net sown area | ~52% of net sown area |
| Crop Insurance | NAIS (limited coverage) | PMFBY (2016), 6 crore+ farmers covered |
| Agri Exports | $24B (2013–14) | $53B (2022–23) |
| Digital Initiatives | Limited | AgriStack, Kisan Drone Yatra, eNAM |
| Major Reforms | Land acquisition bill (2013) | Farm Laws (2020, repealed), DBT, FPO push |
📚 Education & Skill Development
| Metric | Congress (2004–2014) | BJP (2014–2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Literacy Rate | 64.8% (2001) → 74.04% (2011) | ~77.5% (2023 est.) |
| Number of Schools | ~13.5 lakh (2013–14) | ~15 lakh (2023–24) |
| Universities | ~700 (2014) | ~1,113 (2023) |
| IITs | 7 → 16 | 16 → 23 |
| IIMs | 6 → 13 | 13 → 20 |
| Engineering Colleges | ~3,345 (2014) | ~3,500+ (2023) |
| Medical Colleges | ~387 (2014) | ~706 (2023) |
| Vocational Institutes (ITIs) | ~11,000 | ~15,000+ |
| Major Reforms | Right to Education Act (2009) | National Education Policy (NEP 2020), PM SHRI Schools |
| Digital Learning | Limited | DIKSHA, SWAYAM, PM eVidya, coding in schools |
| Skill Development | MSME training, scattered schemes | Ministry created (2014), PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana, NSQF |
Sources: EducationWorld, EdTechReview
🏥 Health & Healthcare
| Metric | Congress (2004–2014) | BJP (2014–2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Health Budget Allocation | ₹33,278 crore (2013–14) | ₹95,958 crore (2025–26) |
| Insurance Coverage | ~15 crore under RSBY (limited) | ~55 crore under Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY |
| Primary Health Centers (PHCs) | ~25,000 (2014) | ~30,000+ (2024) |
| Medical Colleges | ~387 (2014) | ~706 (2023) |
| Doctor-Patient Ratio | 1:2000 (2014) | 1:834 (2023 est.) |
| Digital Health | Limited | eSanjeevani (telemedicine), Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission |
| Major Schemes | NRHM, RSBY | PMJAY, PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission |
| Out-of-Pocket Expenditure | ~60% of total health spend | ~47% (2023 est.) |
| Infant Mortality Rate | ~40 per 1000 (2014) | ~27 per 1000 (2023) |
| Life Expectancy | ~66.4 years (2014) | ~70.1 years (2023) |
Sources: TOI Blog, Taylor & Francis, PIB Report
🏗️ Infrastructure & Connectivity
| Metric | Congress (2004–2014) | BJP (2014–2025) |
|---|---|---|
| National Highways Length | ~77,000 km | ~1.46 lakh km (2024) |
| Highway Construction Rate | ~12 km/day (2014) | ~38 km/day (2023) |
| Railway Electrification | ~21,000 km | ~45,000 km (2024) |
| New Airports Built | ~35 | ~74 (UDAN scheme) |
| Metro Rail Coverage | ~200 km (Delhi, Kolkata) | ~900+ km across 20+ cities |
| Rural Road Connectivity | PMGSY Phase I | PMGSY II & III, 2.5 lakh+ km built |
| Power Generation Capacity | ~243 GW (2014) | ~424 GW (2024) |
| Renewable Energy Share | ~12% | ~43% (2024) |
| Digital Infrastructure | Limited broadband, 3G rollout | 4G expansion, BharatNet, 5G launch |
| Housing Initiatives | Rajiv Awas Yojana | PMAY: 4 crore+ houses sanctioned |
| Logistics & Integration | Fragmented | PM Gati Shakti, National Logistics Policy |
| Border Infrastructure | Minimal focus | Strategic roads, tunnels, BRO expansion |
Sources: PIB Infrastructure Report, Swarajya, Scroll.in
⚖️ Judiciary & Judicial Reforms
| Metric | Congress (2004–2014) | BJP (2014–2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Case Pendency | ~3 crore cases pending across courts (2014) | ~4.7 crore cases pending (2025), despite digitization |
| Judicial Infrastructure | ~15,000 courtrooms, limited tech integration | ~20,000+ courtrooms, ₹9,000 crore allocated for infra upgrade |
| Digitization & eCourts | Manual filing, limited online access | eCourts Phase II, virtual hearings, digital case tracking, AI pilot tools |
| Judicial Appointments | Collegium system, delays in High Court appointments | Collegium retained, NJAC struck down, appointment delays persist |
| Legal Reforms | Delayed Lokpal Bill, fragmented litigation policy | Criminal law overhaul (2023), Uniform Civil Code proposed, National Litigation Policy pending |
| Alternative Dispute Resolution | Lok Adalats, arbitration centers underutilized | Arbitration push, mediation bill passed (2023), fast-track tribunals expanded |
| Judicial Independence | Stable but slow reform pace | Concerns over executive influence, judicial transfers, and dissenting judgments |
| Public Legal Awareness | Limited outreach, legal aid underfunded | Tele-law services, Nyaya Bandhu app, legal literacy campaigns |
Sources: India Today, Scroll.in, IJRAR Judicial Reform Paper
🕵️♂️ Scams & Governance
| Metric | Congress (2004–2014) | BJP (2014–2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Major Scams (Estimated Value) |
|
|
| Governance Transparency | RTI Act enacted (2005), but Lokpal Bill delayed for years. Manual file tracking, limited digital access. | Lokpal operationalized (2019), dashboards for schemes, e-Governance push, real-time public portals (e.g., PMGDISHA, MyGov). |
| Ease of Doing Business Rank | Rank ~134 in 2014. Regulatory bottlenecks, slow approvals, and poor infrastructure cited as hurdles. | Improved to Rank ~63 by 2020. Reforms in insolvency, taxation, and digital compliance contributed. |
| Corruption Perception Index (CPI) | Score: 38/100 (2014), Rank: 85/175. Public sector corruption and lack of enforcement cited. | Score: 40/100 (2023), Rank: 93/180. Slight improvement, but concerns remain over institutional independence. |
| Judicial Reforms | Case backlog crossed 3 crore. Lok Adalats and Fast Track Courts underfunded. No major digitization. | eCourts Phase II, virtual hearings, digital case tracking, and tribunal reforms. Backlog still high (~4.7 crore). |
| Public Grievance Redressal | Manual systems, limited reach. CPGRAMS launched but underutilized. No mobile integration. | CPGRAMS upgraded, UMANG app launched, MyGov platform for citizen feedback. Integration with ministries improved. |
| Whistleblower Protection | Act passed in 2014 but never notified. No institutional safeguards or anonymity protocols. | Amendments proposed but not passed. Implementation remains weak. RTI activists still vulnerable. |
Sources: Wikipedia: List of Scandals, Arunachal Observer, INC Sandesh, Transparency International CPI, PIB Governance Dashboard
💣 Terrorism & Internal Security
| Metric | Congress (2004–2014) | BJP (2014–2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Major Terror Attacks | 26/11 Mumbai (2008), Delhi blasts (2005), Ahmedabad (2008), Pune (2010), Hyderabad (2013), Parliament attack aftermath, serial bombings in Varanasi, Jaipur, Bangalore, and more | Pathankot (2016), Pulwama (2019), Udhampur (2022), targeted killings in J&K (2021–22), but overall decline in frequency and scale |
| J&K Security Situation | Frequent stone-pelting, separatist rallies, AFSPA controversies, and limited flag visibility in Lal Chowk | Article 370 abrogated (2019), Tiranga lighting at Lal Chowk, record tourist footfall, reduced militancy, and increased local recruitment in forces |
| Naxal-Affected Districts | ~126 districts under influence (2010 peak), frequent ambushes and CRPF casualties | Reduced to ~45 districts (2023), major camps dismantled, surrender schemes expanded, infrastructure push in Red Corridor |
| Counterterrorism Strategy | Reactive policing, limited coordination, slow intelligence sharing, and outdated tech | Multi-agency grid, NATGRID, NIA expansion, drone surveillance, and real-time data fusion centers |
| Border Security | Manual fencing, porous borders, limited UAV use, and infiltration spikes | Smart fencing (CIBMS), drone patrols, tunnel detection tech, and integrated border management |
| Police Modernization | ₹1,500 crore allocation (2014), slow adoption of forensic and cyber tools | ₹10,000+ crore allocated (2023), cyber labs, facial recognition, and predictive policing pilots |
| Public Safety & Civic Trust | Low trust in police, communal flare-ups, and delayed justice in terror cases | Improved response time, civic engagement platforms, and increased youth participation in security forces |
Sources: Organiser, TOI Blog, JSTOR: Internal Security Threats
🛰️ Space & Research Innovation
| Metric | Congress (2004–2014) | BJP (2014–2025) |
|---|---|---|
| ISRO Milestones | Chandrayaan-1 (2008), Mangalyaan Mars Orbiter (2013), 100+ launches, PSLV workhorse, Antrix commercial arm | Chandrayaan-2 (2019), Chandrayaan-3 (2023 moon landing), Aditya-L1 (2023), Gaganyaan prep, SSLV, record 104 satellites in one launch |
| DRDO Achievements | BrahMos development, Agni missile upgrades, Tejas prototype, limited exports | Agni-V operational, Pinaka, Akash-NG, Astra, anti-satellite test (2019), export deals with 85+ countries |
| Space Budget | ~₹5,000 crore (2014) | ~₹13,000 crore (2024) |
| Private Sector Participation | Restricted to vendors | IN-SPACe created, Skyroot, Agnikul, Pixxel, Dhruva Space launched missions |
| Patent Filings | ~42,000/year (2014) | ~85,000/year (2023), India ranks 7th globally |
| Global Collaborations | NASA, ESA, Roscosmos | NASA, JAXA, UAE, Australia, Artemis Accords signed (2023) |
| STEM & Innovation Push | INSPIRE, DST grants, IIT incubation | Atal Innovation Mission, Tinkering Labs, Startup India, National Quantum Mission (2023) |
| AI & Emerging Tech | Limited national strategy | AI Mission announced, 3 AI centers of excellence, semiconductor push, drone corridors |
Sources: IndiaTracker, This vs That, ISRO, DRDO
🌍 Geopolitics & Foreign Policy
| Metric | Congress (2004–2014) | BJP (2014–2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Global Posture | Strategic autonomy, non-alignment, cautious diplomacy. Focused on SAARC, BRICS, and bilateral ties. | Assertive diplomacy, multi-alignment. Active in Quad, I2U2, G20 leadership, and Global South advocacy. |
| US Relations | Civil nuclear deal (2008), growing defense ties, but limited strategic convergence. | Major Defense Partner status, 2+2 dialogues, BECA/COMCASA signed, joint exercises expanded. |
| China Strategy | Trade-focused, border tensions unresolved. 2005 Peace Agreement, but limited deterrence. | Galwan clash (2020), border infrastructure push, economic decoupling, FDI scrutiny, assertive diplomacy. |
| Pakistan Engagement | Composite dialogue, backchannel talks, 26/11 fallout, limited deterrence. | Surgical Strikes (2016), Balakot Airstrike (2019), FATF pressure, diplomatic isolation strategy. |
| Middle East Relations | Energy-centric ties with UAE, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Limited diaspora diplomacy. | Strategic partnerships with UAE, Saudi, Israel. I2U2 bloc formed. Diaspora leveraged for soft power. |
| Russia Relations | Defense dependency, BRICS alignment, energy deals. Stable but stagnant. | S-400 deal, oil imports surge post-Ukraine war, balancing act amid US-China tensions. |
| Africa & Global South | Limited outreach, trade missions, and development aid. | India-Africa Forum Summit, vaccine diplomacy, solar alliances, G20 voice for Global South. |
| Multilateral Leadership | BRICS, SAARC, WTO negotiations. No major global leadership roles. | G20 Presidency (2023), UN reforms advocacy, climate diplomacy, Global Biofuel Alliance. |
| Diaspora Engagement | Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, limited strategic use of diaspora. | Howdy Modi, Madison Square Garden, OCI reforms, diaspora as soft power tool. |
Sources: IIRCJ Foreign Policy Analysis, This vs That, JSTOR: BJP & Foreign Policy
🏛️ Landmark Achievements (2004–2025)
| Era | Major Achievements |
|---|---|
| Congress (2004–2014) |
|
| BJP (2014–2025) |
|
Sources: India Today, PIB Archives, Firstpost
🧭 Final Thoughts
Governance is a long game. This scroll isn’t about partisanship—it’s about patterns. The Congress era saw social schemes and liberalization gains; the BJP era emphasized infrastructure, digital governance, and global assertiveness. The data tells a story—but the interpretation is yours to scroll through.
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