From Historic UPI Transactions To New Highs In Aviation: Govt Lists Key Milestones Achieved In 2014

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the centre, the country achieved remarkable progress and set new milestones in infrastructure, energy, healthcare and education.

The year 2024 has been a landmark for India in many ways — from achieving a new record in UPI transactions to new highs in renewable energy generation and becoming the third-largest domestic aviation market. 

The country achieved remarkable progress and set new milestones under Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in sectors like infrastructure, energy, healthcare, education and aviation. 

As the year 2024 approaches its end, the government has listed out some of the key milestones achieved in the last 12 months:

- Historic Milestone for UPI: India clocked a new milestone this year with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) smashing records with 16.5 billion transactions in 2024. The country is estimated to surpass 171 billion transactions by December 31. 

- Clean Energy: In terms of clean energy, the country's total renewable energy capacity crossed the 200 GW (Gigawatt) milestone this year. This remarkable growth aligns with the country's ambitious renewable energy target of achieving 500 GW from non-fossil sources by 2030.

- Poverty Alleviation: In the last ten years under PM Modi's rule, 25 crore Indians have been lifted out of poverty through schemes focusing on livelihood opportunities, empowering women, skilling youths and infrastructure development.

- Hypersonic Missile: 2024 also witnessed the test-firing of first-ever long-range hypersonic missile. 

- Medical Colleges Doubled: The number of medical colleges has doubled since 2014 — from 387 in 2014 to 766 in 2024. 

- Healthcare Benefit To Senior Citizens: The central government this year also expanded benefits under Ayushman Bharat PM-Jay to include 6 crore senior citizens above 70 years. Under this scheme, 4.5 crore families with six crore senior citizens will get Rs 5 lakh free health insurance-cover on a family basis.

- New Heights in Aviation: India has become the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world. The number of operational airports in the country has doubled from 74 in 2014 to 157 in 2024 and the aim is to increase this number to 350-400 by 2047. Metro cities like Mumbai and Delhi-NCR will get a second airport in 2025.

- Mudra Loan Limit Doubled: The government has also announced an increase in the loan limit to Rs 20 lakh from Rs 10 lakh to boost innovation and empower micro-enterprises.

- Boosting Employment: The centre also announced Rs 2,00,000 crore package to boost employment and skill development for 4.1 crore youths in the country.

- Record Defence Production: India's defence production hit a record high of Rs 1.27 lakh crore in 2023-24. The country is currently exporting military hardware to over 90 nations.