India
India is made up of 28 states and 8 Union Territories. The country is bounded by the Bay of Bengal to the east, Arabian Sea to the west and Indian Ocean to the south. Pakistan and Afghanistan shares a border northwest India.
India is made up of 28 states and 8 Union Territories. The country is bounded by the Bay of Bengal to the east, Arabian Sea to the west and Indian Ocean to the south. Pakistan and Afghanistan shares a border northwest India.
Overview
Official Name
Republic of India
Capital
New Delhi
Independence Day
15 August 1947
Population, Territory and Currency
Population & total area
1,389,637,446 (2022 est.)
3,287,263 square km
Source: CIA World Factbook
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)
Average price per meal: SGD 7
Demographics
Male-Female: 51.5%-48.5%
Urban population: 35.9%
Youth aged 15-24 years: 17.51%
Source: CIA World Factbook (2022)
The Flag
The flag of India is a horizontal rectangular tricolour of India saffron, white and India green with the Ashoka Chakra (a 24-spoke wheel in navy blue) at its centre. The top band represents the strength and courage of the country, the middles white band indicates peace and truth, and the bottom band shows fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land. The Chakra symbolises that there is life in movement and death is stagnation.
Key Historical Events
1858
British crown rule after failed Indian uprising.
1920-22
Nationalist leader Mahatma Gandhi launches anti-British civil disobedience campaign.
1947
Independence from the British. Partition of sub-continent into mainly Hindu India and Muslim-majority Pakistan.
1948, 1965, 1971
War with Pakistan.
1996
Hindu nationalist BJP emerges as largest single party.
May 2000
India marks the birth of its billionth citizen.
2015
India and Bangladesh signs landmark border deal.
Economic Profile
India is projected to retain its title of being the fastest growing economy in the world with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasting 8.5% growth for 2022. It is expected that India will reach a GDP of USD 6 trillion by 2027 if it can successfully digitalise its economy, paving the way for the country’s equity market to be one of the five largest in the world. With the emphasis on manufacturing, various government incentives such as lower taxes, rising services exports and technology transformation will aid its growth.
Key Industries
Agriculture
The agriculture sector is the primary source of livelihood for about 58% of India’s population. In 2019, India was the 9th largest exporter of agricultural products and the total value of exported agricultural products stood at USD 37.4 billion.
Textile
The textile industry continues to be one of top employment generating sectors for both skilled and unskilled labour, providing jobs for over 35 million people in the country. India is the world’s second largest exporter of textiles and clothing, with exports standing at about USD 44.4 billion in 2022.
Up-and-Coming
Financial Technology: India is amongst the world’s fastest growing fintech markets. The industry’s market size was USD 50 billion in 2021 and is estimated to reach USD 150 billion by 2025. To date, India has more than 6,000 fintech startups.
Lifestyle & Consumer Goods: With a burgeoning middle class, the Indian consumer market is set to become the world’s third largest consumer market after China and the US. The consumer spending in India is expected to grow from USD 1.5 trillion to nearly USD 6 trillion by 2030.
Places of Interest
Taj Mahal
Crown of the Palace
A symbol of India’s rich history, it attracts 8 million visitors a year. The tomb of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan is the centrepiece of the 17 hectare complex of a mosque and guest house bounded by gardens.
Ellora Caves
Aurangabad district
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world featuring Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monuments dating from the 600-1000 CE period.
Local Food
Khichdi
A highly popular dish made of rice and lentils, it is considered a symbol of national unity and diversity.
Biryani
This popular dish dates back to the Mughal empire, containing basmati rice, spices, meat, eggs and vegetables.
Chutney
Flavourful chutneys are India’s national condiments. They consist of cut pickled fruit seasoned with spices such as cumin, tamarind, ginger and turmeric.
Major Festivals
Diwali
Also known as the Festival of Light, Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Widely observed among more than a billion people from a variety of faiths across India and its diaspora, the five days of Diwali are marked by prayer, feasts, fireworks, family gatherings, and charitable giving.
Holi
Famously known for the beautiful act of throwing coloured dye in the air, there is more than meets the eye. The festival has significant historical significance and is celebrated to welcome spring, signifying a new beginning where people can release all their inhibitions and start afresh.
