Independence Day 2025: India Then vs Now – 1947 to 2025
From 1947 to 2025, India has transformed in economy, literacy, technology, and Deaf rights, moving from exclusion to inclusion.
In 1947, India had a population of around 33–34 crore, a GDP of ?2.7 lakh crore, and a literacy rate of just 12%. Technology was in its infancy, with early research labs like NPL and PRL just starting. The military had 1.5–2 lakh active soldiers, women’s rights were minimal, and the Deaf community had no legal recognition, education in Indian Sign Language (ISL), or interpreters. Social stigma was high, and opportunities were scarce. By 2025, India’s population will grow to 146 crore, with a GDP of ?295 lakh crore, making it one of the world’s top five economies. Literacy has reached 80.9%, and the nation leads in technology, digital economy, space research, and AI. The military is the 4th most powerful globally, and women hold positions in the Army, Navy, politics, and science, supported by a 33% reservation in Parliament. For the Deaf community, change has been profound from having no rights or ISL access in 1947 to 63 million Deaf individuals in 2025 with growing bilingual education, ISL dictionaries, trained interpreters, and accessibility technology like captions and apps. The RPWD Act 2016 has strengthened legal rights, government reservations have expanded job opportunities, and social perception is shifting toward awareness and Deaf pride.
