Introduction As India nears its 75th year of independence in 2022, it has set its sights on a lofty ambition: achieving high-income status by 2047, its centenary of liberation from British rule. This goal embodies India’s resolve to reshape its economic landscape and elevate living standards for its 1.4 billion people. Yet, the journey ahead is riddled with economic, social, political, and demographic hurdles. A recent World Bank report, released on April 10, 2025, underscores the scale of the challenge: India must maintain an average annual growth rate of 7.8% over the next two decades to reach high-income status—almost 1.5 percentage points above its current pace. This article delves into the multifaceted obstacles India faces, explores viable pathways by comparing the Chinese and Japanese growth models, and assesses what lies ahead for the world’s most populous nation. The Economic Mountain to Climb The Growth Imperative India’s gross national income (GNI) per capita was £2,540 in 2...