22 Key Accomplishments that Defined India in 2022

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In the post-pandemic era, if there’s one nation that has shown true resilience in bouncing back, and rising to stratospheric heights – that’s India. On the cusp of a brand new year, we bring to you the top 22 accomplishment that made India shine in 2022.

1. India Beats England To Become The World’s 5^th Largest Economy

India has overtaken the UK to become the world’s fifth-largest economy. India was ranked 11th among the large economies a decade ago, while the UK was in fifth place. India’s economy is growing at 13.5% year-on-year and is projected to grow at over 7% this fiscal year.

2. India Is The 1^st Country To Receive $100 Billion in Remittances

The World Bank has predicted that India will receive approximately $100 Billion in remittances in 2022, a significant increase from previous years. Remittances refer to the money that migrants send back to their home countries, and India is one of the top recipients of such payments. The World Bank also expects remittances to India to remain high in the coming years.

3. Air India Is India’s 1^st Privatization In Over 17 Years

The Tata Group has taken over ownership of Air India, Air India Express, and AI SATS. Air India is the country’s flag carrier and full-service airline, while Air India Express is a low-cost carrier. AI SATS provides ground handling and cargo handling services.

4. India Now Home To World’s 2^nd Largest Number Of Unicorns

According to Indian Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India is now home to 21 Unicorns – privately-held start-ups that are valued at over $1 billion. These companies are collectively valued at a total of $732 billion. This highlights the growth and success of India’s tech sector and its ability to produce globally competitive companies.

5. India Overtakes United States To Become The World’s 2^nd Largest Smartphone Market

India overtook the United States to become the world’s second-largest smartphone market. The report attributes this to a combination of factors, including a growing middle class and increased access to financing options, which have led to a rise in smartphone adoption in the country. The Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative has contributed to the growth of the smartphone market in the country.

6. India Launches Its 1^st Private Train

India launched its first private train service, the “Bharat Gaurav” Express, to provide higher-quality train services in the country. The train will initially operate on the Delhi-Lucknow route, and has several features including air-conditioned coaches, onboard entertainment, and a food court. The Bharat Gaurav Scheme is part of the Indian government’s efforts to modernize the country’s railway system, improve services for passengers, and  encourage private-sector investment in the railway sector.

7. India Builds The World’s Largest Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Station

India commissions a 450 MW wind-solar hybrid power plant in Rajasthan, bringing its total operational hybrid power generation capacity to 1,440 MW. The plant, which consists of 420 MW solar and 105 MW wind plants, has Power Purchase Agreements with the Solar Energy Corporation of India for 25 years at INR 2.67/kWh.

8. Over 350 Million Indian Users Transact Online; Count Higher Than Population Of The USA

India has 350 million online transacting users and the number is expected to double by 2030, driven by increasing Internet access and the convenience and security of digital transactions. The number is higher than the entire population of the United States of America. The e-commerce industry in India is also expected to grow significantly.

9. India Inks The Future By Launching Digital Rupee

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the launch of a digital version of the Indian Rupee, called the Digital Rupee. The Digital Rupee will be issued by the RBI and will be available to individuals and businesses through participating banks and non-banking financial companies. It will be used for transactions in the same way as physical currency, but will offer additional features such as instant transfer and the ability to make payments without the need for a bank account. The Digital Rupee is seen as a historic milestone for India and is expected to increase financial inclusion and reduce the cost of transactions.

10. World’s First Nasal COVID-19 Vaccine Developed In India

The world’s first nasal COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Bharat Biotech, has received approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). Covaxin Nasal is a nasal spray vaccine that utilizes the same technology as the injectable Covaxin vaccine, which has an efficacy rate of 81%.

11. India’s BHIM UPI Goes Global

According to a report by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has seen widespread adoption in various countries around the world, UPI has been adopted by 49 countries, with the most adoptions in the United Arab Emirates, followed by Singapore and the United Kingdom. In addition, UPI has also been adopted by countries in Africa, Europe, and the Americas. UPI is a real-time payment system that allows for the transfer of funds between bank accounts instantly, and has seen significant growth in India since its launch in 2016. 

12. India Launched Its 1^st Privately Built Rocket

Vikram-S, India’s first privately built rocket, was successfully launched on December 24, 2021. The rocket, developed by the Hyderabad-based company Skyroot Aerospace, was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Vikram-S, named after ISRO founder Vikram Sarabhai, is a two-stage rocket that is capable of carrying a payload of up to 83 kilograms to Low-Earth orbit. 

13. India Administers Over 2 Billion COVID-19 Vaccines

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has congratulated India on reaching the milestone of administering 2 Billion COVID-19 vaccinations. This achievement was made possible through careful planning and coordination between the Indian government, healthcare workers, and other stakeholders. UNICEF has praised India’s efforts to ensure that the vaccines are distributed fairly and equitably, and has commended the country’s efforts to vaccinate a large portion of its population in a short period of time.

14. India Leads the Commercial Space Market

India’s space economy is expected to reach $13 Billion by 2025, driven by growing satellite and launch capabilities and increasing demand for satellite-based services. Potential areas of growth include space tourism and space-based solar power.

15. India To Become The Middle East Of Green Hydrogen

The Indian government has announced plans to produce 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030. Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, and is considered a clean and sustainable alternative to hydrogen produced from fossil fuels.

16. Vande Bharat Express Breaks Japanese Bullet Train’s Record

The Vande Bharat Express – India’s fastest train – broke the Japanese Bullet Train’s record by reaching a speed of 100 km/hr in just 52 seconds during a trial run. Launched in 2019, Vande Bharat is equipped with modern amenities and aims to improve connectivity between major cities in the country. It is expected to reduce travel time and improve the overall passenger experience.

17. India assumes G20 presidency

India has officially taken over the G20 Presidency from Indonesia and will focus on making the G20 more accessible to the public. The country will host over 200 meetings in over 50 cities during its presidency, inspired by the theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.

18. Person Of Indian Origin Becomes UK’s Prime Minister

Rishi Sunak has become the first Indian-origin Prime Minister of Britain,. Sunak will lead Britain through the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic aftermath. Sunak, who previously served as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has a strong track record in politics and is well-respected among his colleagues.

19. India’s ONDC Set To Curb BigTech & Democratize eCommerce

The MSME Tech-ONDC platform, launched by the Indian government, challenges BigTech and aims to enable millions of small traders to sell their products online to boost their sales. It will provide a trusted and verified online marketplace for small and medium enterprises in sectors such as fashion, home, and kitchen. The platform is expected to boost sales for small businesses and support the SME sector.

20. India Launches Its First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier

INS Vikrant is India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited and commissioned into the Indian Navy, the vessel is equipped to carry up to 30 aircraft. It is a crucial addition to the Indian Navy’s capabilities, as it will allow the country to project its air power as a blue-water Navy.

21. India Outperforms Global Markets, Now seen As A Continent Instead Of A Country

Heineken has found success in the Indian market by tailoring its approach to local consumer preferences and offering a diverse range of products. This approach has allowed the company to recognize the potential of the large and diverse Indian market, which should be seen as a continent rather than a single country. Heineken’s success in India highlights the importance of considering the unique characteristics of a market when developing a business strategy.

22. India A Safe Alternative to China For Telecom Solutions

India may emerge as a viable alternative for China in the telecom solutions market due to its accountable & democratic governance, skilled workforce and cost-effective solutions. As countries seek to diversify their supply chains and reduce reliance on China, India’s strong track record in the telecom sector may make it a compelling choice for businesses and governments seeking dependable telecom solutions.

Enjoyed the list so far? Here are 3 bonus accomplishments that have made every Indian proud!

1. Reliance is India’s 1st Company To Cross $100 Billion In Annual Revenue

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has become the first Indian company to achieve annual revenues of $104.6 Billion. RIL is involved in a range of sectors including energy, petrochemicals, and retail, and has seen strong growth in recent years. The company’s chairman, Mukesh Ambani, attributed the success to its focus on innovation and customer satisfaction.

2) India Launches 1st Commercial Space Weather Sensors

Bengaluru-based Digantara launched the smallest and first commercial space weather sensors into low earth orbit, in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation. The startup is also developing a space situational awareness (SSA) architecture to track objects in orbit and predict where they will be at any given time.

3) India’s Gets The World’s 1st Real-Time Gold ATM

Hyderabad has installed India’s first real-time gold ATM. The ATM allows customers to buy and sell gold at any time, without the need to visit a physical store. The gold is stored in a secure vault and can be accessed using a mobile phone and a unique code.