Srinagar, Dec. 22 -- As India approaches the centenary of its Independence, the aspiration of becoming a developed nation by 2047 has gained prominence in public and policy discourse. However, development is not achieved through ambition alone. A credible roadmap to 2047 must begin with a realistic assessment of India's structural economic challenges and a sustained commitment to reforms that address them across regions.

One of the most significant challenges facing the Indian economy is the gap between economic growth and employment generation. While India remains among the fastest-growing major economies, job creation has not expanded at the same pace. Recent labour force surveys suggest that youth unemployment remains higher than the ...