What Changed on May 16, 2014? India Under PM Modi

New Delhi, May 16 (NationPress) On this significant day in 2014, India experienced a monumental transformation. The results of the 16th Lok Sabha elections were revealed on May 16, 2014, marking the beginning of a new chapter led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), at the forefront of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), achieved an overwhelming victory, ousting the decade-long rule of the Congress-led UPA.

The 2014 general elections were remarkable in numerous aspects. Conducted in nine phases from April 7 to May 12, they showcased an extraordinary voter turnout and enthusiasm nationwide. The BJP clinched an absolute majority with 282 seats out of the total 543 in the Lok Sabha, a milestone not reached by any single party since 1984.

This was a clear approval of PM Modi's vision for development, governance, and robust leadership.

Assuming office on May 26, 2014, Narendra Modi became India’s 14th Prime Minister. The inaugural session of the 16th Lok Sabha took place from June 4 to June 11, 2014, where senior leader Kamal Nath was sworn in as the pro-tem Speaker. On June 6, Sumitra Mahajan, a distinguished woman parliamentarian, was elected as Speaker, and M. Thambidurai of the AIADMK took the role of Deputy Speaker on August 13.

A significant outcome of the BJP's overwhelming success was the absence of an official Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, as no party met the 10 per cent seat threshold for recognition. The Congress, once a dominant political force, secured only 44 seats, falling short of the 55-seat requirement. The AIADMK emerged as the third-largest party with 37 seats. Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge was appointed as the Congress leader in the Lok Sabha.

The 2014 mandate represented not just a desire for change but also a vote of optimism — for a revitalized India, enhanced governance, and economic growth. Since that pivotal moment, PM Modi has guided the nation through a decade filled with transformative reforms, policy shifts, and a more assertive global stance. Under his leadership, India has ascended to the status of the fifth-largest economy worldwide, surpassing the UK, and is now firmly on the path to becoming an economic powerhouse.

In 2019, the Modi-led NDA secured re-election with an even larger mandate, winning 303 seats and reaffirming public confidence in his governance. The second term witnessed significant structural reforms, including the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the introduction of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and a comprehensive response to the Covid-19 pandemic, featuring a massive vaccination campaign and a push for self-reliance via the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

In 2024, the BJP-led NDA once again achieved a majority in the Lok Sabha elections, marking three consecutive terms for Narendra Modi — a rare political accomplishment that places him alongside historical figures like Jawaharlal Nehru regarding electoral dominance. This third consecutive mandate is widely regarded as a strong affirmation of Modi’s governance model and his vision for the future.

On the security front, the world has seen Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bold and decisive leadership, especially in response to terrorist attacks linked to Pakistan. India executed precision strikes across the border — in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) — following the Uri attack in 2016, the Pulwama attack in 2019, and the recent Pahalgam attack in 2025. These actions conveyed a clear message: this is a new India under Prime Minister Modi, one that 'strikes back by entering the enemy’s territory.'

Under his leadership, India has broken free from the policy paralysis that plagued the nation during the UPA era. The Modi government has made bold decisions across critical areas — economic, constitutional, legal, and social — showcasing a commitment to decisive governance. Prime Minister Modi has consistently emphasized that the previous administration was driven by vote-bank and appeasement politics, often sacrificing meaningful welfare reforms. Conversely, his administration has focused on inclusive development and national interests, yielding visible results.

Now, the Prime Minister has even grander ambitions for India's future. He has outlined an expansive vision: to elevate India to the position of the third-largest economy by 2028, and more crucially, to evolve the nation into a 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India) by 2047, the centenary year of independence. The Modi government has devised multiple initiatives aimed at enhancing infrastructure, boosting manufacturing, creating jobs, advancing digital connectivity, and improving the ease of doing business. All these elements are essential for a nation's extensive growth trajectory.

On the global stage, PM Modi’s India has also emerged as a confident and assertive voice. From spearheading G20 negotiations to championing initiatives such as climate action and digital public infrastructure, India has solidified its status as a vital player in global geopolitics.

The journey from May 16, 2014, to the present has been characterized by decisive leadership, bold reforms, and a steadfast commitment to development. Whether it is the creation of a new India driven by innovation, infrastructure, and inclusion, or positioning the country as a global advocate for the Global South, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decade in power has undeniably left a lasting impact on India’s political and economic landscape.

As the nation gazes towards the future, the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 offers a roadmap not only for economic advancement but for a transformation in every aspect of national life — from education and health to defense, diplomacy, and technology. Ten years after that defining day in 2014, India stands on the threshold of a new chapter, with confidence, clarity, and continuity steering the ship.