NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi University, on September 5, 2026, marking 100 years since the institution’s founding by Industrialist Lala Shri Ram.
The address highlighted India’s macroeconomic trajectory, institutional policy evolution, industrial capacity expansion, and strategic targets for a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
Key Economic Indicators & Macroeconomic Parameters
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GDP Growth & Economic Resiliency:
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Quarterly Growth Rate: Achieved 7.8% quarterly GDP expansion despite West Asian conflict dynamics and global trade friction.
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Industrial Activity Metrics (April–June 2026):
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Electricity generation increased by 9%.
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Overall vehicle sales expanded by over 20% (two-wheeler sales up 20%; three-wheeler sales up nearly 30%).
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Steel and cement consumption recorded an 8% growth rate, reflecting sustained momentum across real estate, housing, and infrastructure sectors.
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Manufacturing, Defense, and Digital Financial Inclusion:
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Smartphone Exports: Surpassed Rs 2.5 lakh crore under the ‘Make in India’ framework.
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Defense Production & Exports: Domestic defense manufacturing reached an all-time high of nearly Rs 2 lakh crore. Defense exports expanded from Rs 600–700 crore (2013-14 baseline) to Rs 40,000 crore.
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Financial Inclusion (Jan Dhan Yojana): Successfully integrated approximately 60 crore previously unbanked citizens over a 12-year period, building the baseline for India’s fintech ecosystem.
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Infrastructure & Trade Expansion:
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Rail Electrification: Broad-gauge railway line electrification increased from under 30% (pre-2014) to near 100% completion over a 12-year execution timeframe.
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Trade Pacts: Finalized Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) spanning 40 nations, covering key labor-intensive sectors including leather, textiles, and processed food products.
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