Impact of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India Initiatives on Production and Employment in India

The Make in India initiative (2014) and the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (2020) were launched by the Government of India with the objectives of enhancing domestic manufacturing capacity, fostering self-reliance, and creating employment opportunities. In this paper, the impact of these initiatives on India’s production capabilities and employment trends has been evaluated through the use of macroeconomic data spanning the period 2014–2024. Evidence has been observed of a substantial rise in sector-specific outputs, most notably in electronics, defence, and mobile manufacturing, while notable growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows has also been recorded. Nevertheless, it has been noted that the overall contribution of manufacturing to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment continues to remain below the targeted benchmarks set by policy frameworks. By providing a data-driven assessment of policy outcomes, this study has been positioned to contribute to the existing body of literature, while actionable measures have been suggested to strengthen competitiveness, encourage innovation, and ensure sustainable growth in India’s manufacturing ecosystem over the long term.