11 Years of Modi Govt - How India's Middle Class Became the Backbone of a Decade of Progress

When Narendra Modi first took the oath as Prime Minister in 2014, the expectations were sky-high. Eleven years later, one of the most significant yet understated transformations under his leadership has been the emergence of India’s middle class — not just as an economic contributor but as a central figure in policymaking and governance.

This is not a story filled with dramatic slogans or overnight miracles. Instead, it’s about steady, thoughtful progress — about how India’s middle-income families were quietly empowered through consistent reforms, better infrastructure, and a digital-first governance model. In a country as complex as India, real change happens gradually — policy by policy, reform by reform, household by household.

Let’s take a look at how the Indian middle class — long known for its aspirations, discipline, and values — has evolved from a struggling group into a vital pillar of India’s growth narrative.

11 Years of Modi Govt

1. Tax Reliefs That Speak Directly to Salaried Indians

Over the past decade, perhaps no other reform has resonated more with the middle class than income tax reforms. The government gradually eased the burden on honest taxpayers through higher exemption limits, increased standard deductions, and a simplified filing process.

By the time the 2025–26 Union Budget rolled out, the income tax threshold had effectively been raised to ₹12.75 lakh, thanks to both exemptions and deductions. Salaried employees now enjoy a standard deduction of ₹75,000 — a move that reflects the government’s commitment to giving the middle class more disposable income and financial breathing room.

Even more importantly, the simplified tax regime, introduced in 2020, and the digital shift toward pre-filled returns helped foster a culture of voluntary compliance. The result? ITR filings more than doubled — from 3.91 crore in FY 2013–14 to over 9.19 crore in FY 2024–25.

2. Trust Through Technology: The Faceless Assessment Era

The introduction of the Faceless e-Assessment system in 2019 completely changed how tax scrutiny happens in India. No more dreaded visits to local offices, no more intimidation. Instead, taxpayers interact with a national, tech-enabled centre — creating a system rooted in data, not discretion.

This move, often overlooked, has done more than just modernize the tax process. It has given salaried and small-business taxpayers a sense of fairness, trust, and protection from arbitrary scrutiny. For the middle class, this was not just reform — it was reassurance.

3. From Inflation Anxiety to Financial Stability

Ask any Indian household what kept them awake in the early 2010s, and chances are, they’ll say rising prices. Double-digit inflation rates meant constant stress over groceries, fuel, and children’s education. But since 2014, inflation has been largely tamed, averaging just 5% — a stark contrast to the 8.2% average of the previous decade.

This stability wasn’t accidental. It was the result of coordinated fiscal strategies, robust supply chain management, and strong support from the RBI. For middle-class families, this meant better savings, better planning, and peace of mind.

4. Pension That Honors Public Service

In a country where retirement planning has long been a worry, the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) came as a major relief. Launched in 2024 and implemented from April 2025, the UPS guarantees at least ₹10,000 per month for those retiring after 10 years of service. For full-term employees, the pension can be up to 50% of their final basic pay.

This scheme directly impacts around 23 lakh central government employees and over 90 lakh individuals when including state employees — many of whom belong to the middle class. It’s a policy that doesn’t just offer money; it offers dignity.

5. A City That Serves Its Citizens

The Smart Cities Mission, launched in 2015, has led to a massive urban transformation. Over 7,500 projects worth ₹1.51 lakh crore are either completed or nearing completion. From integrated traffic systems and CCTVs to smart classrooms and hospital beds, the upgrades are visible and impactful.

For the urban middle class, this has meant safer roads, better education infrastructure, cleaner cities, and an overall improvement in quality of life. Complementing this is the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) — delivering on the dream of homeownership for over 92 lakh families.

6. Easier, Faster Commutes and Affordable Flights

If there’s one change commuters can literally feel, it’s in transportation. Metro rail networks have expanded from 248 km in 2014 to over 1,013 km in 2025. Daily ridership has jumped to 1.12 crore, drastically cutting down travel time for urban dwellers.

Meanwhile, the UDAN Scheme made air travel a reality even for small-town families. From 74 airports in 2014, India now has 160, with over 1.49 crore passengers having taken flights under UDAN.

7. Safer Real Estate with RERA

Buying a home — once a stressful, risk-laden experience — became significantly safer after the introduction of RERA. With over 1.4 lakh consumer complaints resolved and strict timelines enforced for developers, homebuyers now enjoy more transparency and accountability.

For middle-class Indians investing their life savings into real estate, this reform was nothing short of transformational.

8. Healthcare That Doesn’t Break the Bank

The government’s flagship health insurance scheme — Ayushman Bharat — brought quality healthcare within reach. With over 8.59 crore hospitalisations worth ₹1.19 lakh crore, and 41 crore Ayushman Cards issued, the scheme has helped shield families from massive medical bills.

Additionally, the Jan Aushadhi Scheme ensured affordable medicines, offering discounts of 50%–80% through 16,000+ outlets. Together, these programs have resulted in savings of nearly ₹38,000 crore — a huge relief for middle-income households.

9. Skilling the Workforce for Tomorrow

As aspirations grew, so did the government’s efforts to make the workforce future-ready. Under PMKVY, over 1.63 crore youth were trained across high-demand sectors. Meanwhile, NAPS helped over 40 lakh apprentices transition into the workforce with hands-on experience.

From upgrading ITIs to launching a ₹60,000 crore skilling infrastructure plan in 2025, the focus has been clear: enable the middle class to thrive in the new economy.

10. Digital India: The New Normal

The Aadhaar ecosystem, DigiLocker, UMANG — all these digital initiatives have revolutionized public service delivery. From submitting documents to accessing health cards, everything now happens at the click of a button.

For the time-starved middle class, this shift to seamless governance has meant fewer queues, less paperwork, and a lot more efficiency.

A Decade Rooted in the Middle Class

Behind the statistics and schemes lies the real story — that of Indian middle-class families who are now living with more stability, more security, and more self-confidence. Whether it’s retiring with dignity, travelling faster, saving on medicine, or planning for a child’s future — the middle class has felt the change where it matters most: at home.

As India moves into its next phase of development, it does so with the middle class not just as a beneficiary, but as its beating heart. A decade of reforms, investments, and care has quietly turned this once overlooked segment into the true engine of India’s growth story.