India has surged ahead on the global economic stage, overtaking Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. This significant milestone arrives less than three years after India surpassed the UK for the fifth position in 2022. BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, cited data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirming that India’s GDP has reached the $4 trillion mark.
Speaking at the 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, Subrahmanyam emphasized that only the United States, China, and Germany remain ahead. If India maintains its current economic trajectory, it is projected to surpass Germany within the next two to three years and move into the top three.
The IMF’s forecasts offer an optimistic outlook for India’s economy, projecting its nominal GDP to reach around $4.187 trillion by the fiscal year 2026—slightly surpassing Japan’s estimated $4.186 trillion. India is poised to retain its status as the fastest-growing major economy, with expected growth rates of 6.2% in 2025 and 6.3% in 2026. These figures significantly outpace the global average growth projections of 2.8% for 2025 and 3.0% for 2026.
India’s transformation is striking. From being part of the so-called “Fragile Five” economies in 2013, it has climbed from 11th place to 4th within just over a decade. The Economic Survey for 2024–25 outlines a path to becoming a developed nation by 2047, calling for an average annual growth rate of about 8% at constant prices.
Experts attribute this turnaround to structural reforms, demographic strength, and global economic tailwinds. Economist Manoranjan Sharma highlighted India’s resilience and projected consistent growth in the 6.5%–7.5% range, predicting a substantial rise in per capita income and global influence.
Charan Singh, CEO of the Egrow Foundation, hailed the development as a national triumph, applauding policy coherence and unity among Indian states in pursuing the “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision. India’s economic ascent continues to gather momentum, offering a robust blueprint for future growth.
