Give Indian Prime Minister a C for His First Year in Office

William T. Wilson /

This week marks the end of Narendra Modi’s first year as prime minister of India.

Elected with an unprecedented majority in Parliament, Indians had high expectations his economic reforms would resuscitate India’s economy and investment environment.

In democracies, the first year of an administration is typically when the most dramatic political and economic reforms are initiated. Ronald Reagan initiated his landmark tax cuts, and Margaret Thatcher defeated the U.K.’s striking coal miners and broke the back of organized labor during their first years in office.

As a former university professor accustomed to assigning grades this time of year, I’d have to assign the Modi government a C for its first year in office. Here are some of the highlights and shortfalls of his first year:

Victories:

Shortcomings:  

Given its majority in Parliament and general sense of optimism throughout the country, the current government could have done much more in its first year. Let’s hope the next year brings more positive surprises.