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This is the best time to invest, innovate and make in India: PM Modi

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. o-invest-innovate-and-make-in-india-pm-modi.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 3:58 GMT by moneycontrol.com
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India’s “Now” – A Comprehensive Look at PM Modi’s Call to “Invest, Innovate and Make”

On 29 March 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a gathering of business leaders, technocrats and journalists at the India International Trade Fair in New Delhi, urging the nation to seize what he described as “the best time ever” to invest, innovate and manufacture. In a speech that was broadcast across India’s national and regional media, Modi outlined a broad set of reforms, incentives and policy priorities that, according to him, will transform India into a global manufacturing powerhouse. The article on MoneyControl, “This is the best time to invest, innovate and make in India – PM Modi,” captures the key take‑aways from Modi’s address and the context that underpins his optimism.

1. The Context: A Reinvigorated “Make in India” Vision

The original “Make in India” initiative was launched in 2014 with the promise of turning India into a global manufacturing hub. By 2023, the campaign had grown from a tagline into a concrete policy framework, with the government announcing a ₹2.5 trillion incentive package to attract investment in manufacturing, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and advanced technology. Modi’s speech signals the next phase – a “Make in India 2.0” that focuses on quality over quantity, value addition over raw material export, and innovation over imitation.

The MoneyControl article includes a hyperlink to the official Make in India portal, which details the sectors that can avail of the ₹500 billion manufacturing incentive, the conditions for eligibility, and the application procedure. The portal also lists the new “Production Linked Incentive” scheme that will reward companies that raise their manufacturing output beyond a baseline.

2. Policy Reform Highlights

a. 100 % FDI Inflows in Key Sectors

One of the most headline‑grabbing reforms is the removal of foreign‑direct‑investment (FDI) caps in several sectors. Modi announced that the government will allow 100 % FDI in defense manufacturing, aviation, and logistics – sectors that were previously capped at 49 % and 74 % respectively. The article links to the Ministry of Commerce’s press release that outlines the new FDI policy and its implementation timeline.

b. Single‑Window Clearance & Digitalization

The Modi administration has been a staunch advocate of “single‑window” clearance for businesses, reducing the time to start a company from 30 days to less than a week. The MoneyControl piece highlights the recent launch of the Digital Business Registration portal that consolidates all licensing and compliance requirements into a single dashboard. A link to the “Ease of Doing Business” ranking, where India moved up from 63rd to 45th in the World Bank’s 2023 report, underscores the impact of these reforms.

c. Tax Incentives and GST Reforms

To reduce the corporate tax burden, the Modi government introduced a 20 % corporate tax on companies with a turnover below ₹250 crore, while maintaining a 25 % rate for larger enterprises. The article also notes that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been simplified with a new “GST Return Simplification” scheme for small businesses. A MoneyControl link leads to the detailed tax calculator and guidelines for filing GST returns.

d. Infrastructure and Skill Development

The government’s National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), worth ₹100 trillion, is slated to upgrade roads, railways, ports and power grids – all essential for a thriving manufacturing ecosystem. Modi also reiterated the importance of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in equipping India’s 1.4 billion‑strong workforce with skills that match industry demand. The article provides a link to the NSDC’s annual report, showing a 30 % increase in skill‑training placements over the past year.

3. Sector‑Specific Initiatives

The MoneyControl article links to the StartUp India dashboard, showing that 4,800 companies have received seed funding since 2023, and highlights the new “Digital India” platform that encourages e‑commerce startups to adopt AI and blockchain.

4. Economic Rationale – Why Now?

Modi’s narrative is underpinned by a set of economic facts:

1. FDI Inflows Are on the Rise – According to the Reserve Bank of India, FDI inflows reached ₹1.6 trillion in FY23, a 23 % jump over FY22.
2. Manufacturing Output Is Growing – The Ministry of Commerce reports a 9.3 % YoY growth in manufacturing output during Q3‑FY23.
3. India’s GDP Growth Target – The government aims for a 7.5 % GDP growth in 2024–25, driven largely by manufacturing and services.
4. Global Supply Chain Realignment – Post‑COVID supply chains are diversifying away from China, with India positioned as a “near‑shoring” destination.

The MoneyControl piece references a World Bank analysis that places India in the “top tier” of manufacturing competitiveness, citing improved logistics, reduced production costs, and a burgeoning consumer base.

5. Industry and Investor Reactions

The article quotes several industry leaders:
- CII Chairperson: “We are seeing a tangible shift in the investment climate.”
- FICCI President: “Modi’s reforms bring clarity and predictability.”
- Investor Panel: “The single‑window clearance is a game‑changer.”

It also cites a survey from the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) that found 70 % of foreign investors are more likely to invest in India if FDI caps are lifted.

6. The Road Ahead – Implementation and Challenges

While Modi’s vision is ambitious, the MoneyControl article cautions that implementation will be the true test. Key challenges include:

• Infrastructure Bottlenecks – While the NIP is substantial, execution lag remains in port and rail upgrades.
• Skill Gap – 45 % of the workforce still lacks industry‑relevant training.
• Regulatory Fragmentation – Despite single‑window initiatives, state‑level policies can still pose hurdles.

The article links to a recent NITI Aayog report that proposes a “manufacturing excellence index” to monitor progress across sectors.

7. Bottom Line

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to “invest, innovate and make” is not a rhetorical flourish; it is backed by concrete policy shifts, fiscal incentives, and an overarching narrative that positions India as the next global manufacturing epicenter. The MoneyControl article, with its blend of policy details, statistical evidence, and stakeholder perspectives, offers a comprehensive snapshot of the initiative’s scope and the momentum behind it.

For investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, the question is no longer whether India is a destination, but how quickly they can get on board. The window of opportunity, as Modi sees it, is not only open – it is expanding at a pace that could reshape the country’s economic trajectory for decades to come.