Joint Study by Indian Institutes of Management Unveils Comprehensive Analysis of Changes in India Over Past Five Years

A recent collaborative effort among prominent Professors from Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) sheds light on the transformative journey of India over the last half-decade. Spearheaded by Prof. Dheeraj Sharma from IIM Rohtak, along with Prof. Anand Kumar Jaiswal and Prof. Rajat Sharma from IIM Ahmedabad, Prof. Saravana Jaikumar L. from IIM Calcutta, Prof. Prem Diwani and Prof. Suresh Kumar Jakhar from IIM Lucknow, and Prof. Siddharth K. Rastogi from IIM Indore, this study represents a significant academic collaboration.

Scope and Methodology

The study encompassed an exhaustive examination of socio-economic parameters across 22 regions and states in India. Through a structured survey disseminated among 85,326 respondents, including farmers, casual workers, housewives, servicing employees, and students, the research aimed to unravel the nuanced changes in societal attitudes and behaviors. Additionally, a follow-up physical survey provided detailed insights into casual workers’ wage rates, offering a comprehensive economic snapshot.

Key Findings

Trust in Government:

• The average trust in the Government of India stands at 69.36% nationwide.
• Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh exhibit the highest level of trust in government services, reflecting public confidence.

Infrastructure Development:

• A significant reduction (72%) in electricity cuts was reported nationwide between 2019 to 2024.
• States like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh witnessed notable infrastructure improvements, particularly in water and electricity supply.

Youth Optimism and Drug Consumption:

• Gujarat and Maharashtra lead in fostering youth optimism and reducing drug consumption.
• Over two-thirds (66.02%) of respondents expressed increased hopefulness and optimism among the youth regarding India’s development.

Agricultural Income:

• Farmers in Punjab, Haryana, and Kerala reported a notable increase in agricultural income.
• On average, there was a 39.9% increase in agricultural income nationwide, with Kerala, Haryana, and Punjab leading at 49%, 47%, and 45%, respectively.

Women’s Health:

• 74% of women reported a decrease in sick days over the past five years.
• Improved sanitation under the Swachh Bharat Mission contributed to better health outcomes, particularly among housewives in several states.

Digital Engagement and Entertainment:

• There was a 34% surge in spending on digital engagement and entertainment, indicating significant growth in OTT platform penetration.
• Average OTT-video penetration stands at 69.24%, reflecting changing entertainment preferences.

Casual Workers’ Income:

• Casual workers reported a 60% to 175% rise in income between 2019 to 2024, reflecting improvements in the labor market.
• The average daily wage (DEHAADI) increased from Rs 250 to Rs 400, corroborated by data from trucking companies.

Public Services Satisfaction:

• Overall, there is increased satisfaction (68.59%) with public services, with states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh reporting high levels of trust in government.

Travel Infrastructure:

• Respondents reported improvements in road travel (69.1%), rail travel (62.2%), and air travel (70.7%) over the past five years.
• The top five significant changes in India include sanitation, road travel quality, rail travel quality, improvement in electricity, and digital access.

Implications and Future Initiatives

This comprehensive study not only highlights areas of progress but also sheds light on ongoing challenges, offering valuable insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and the academic community. As India continues its journey towards inclusive growth and development, these findings will play a crucial role in shaping future initiatives and reforms, ensuring a brighter future for all citizens.