India’s economy has undergone a major transformation over the eight decades since Independence, moving from an agriculture-led model towards a more diverse, services-driven economy. At the time of Independence, agriculture accounted for more than half of GDP and employed the vast majority of the workforce.
Today, services contribute the largest share of economic output, with information technology, financial services, telecommunications and retail forming key growth drivers. Manufacturing has also expanded, though its share of GDP has remained relatively stable. The transformation has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, though agriculture still employs a large portion of the population, creating a structural challenge for inclusive growth.
