Narendra Modi’s journey as a public leader spans over two decades, first as the Chief Minister of Gujarat (2001–14) and then as the Prime Minister of India (2014–present). Throughout his tenure, he has introduced several initiatives that were unprecedented in India, many of which were the first of their kind in the world or Asia. From transforming industrial and agricultural landscapes to pioneering digital governance, renewable energy, social welfare, and foreign diplomacy, his leadership has consistently aimed at innovating and setting benchmarks.
Narendra Modi’s Legacy Of Firsts
Narendra Modi’s legacy is marked by historic firsts—from digital governance, renewable energy, and social welfare to global diplomacy, defence, and crisis leadership—reshaping India’s growth path.
This dossier brings together a list of the most significant “first-ever” initiatives, organized by sector, highlighting the areas where Narendra Modi has charted new paths for the nation. It serves as a reference to understand not only the scope and scale of his policies but also the vision of making India more self-reliant, inclusive, and globally respected.
Economic & Industrial Development
Narendra Modi has consistently focused on innovation, industrialization, and attracting investment. As CM of Gujarat, he pioneered initiatives like the Vibrant Gujarat Summit and Jyotigram Yojana, setting benchmarks for rural electrification and industrial planning. As PM, he carried this vision nationwide with Make in India, GST implementation, Startup India, and financial reforms, creating a more connected, investment-friendly, and business-oriented India.
Initiative |
Description |
Year |
Vibrant Gujarat[1] Summit |
First state-level global investment summit; transformed Gujarat into an industrial hub. |
2003 onwards |
Jyotigram[2] Yojana |
Separated rural farm & household feeders; Gujarat became first state in India to provide 24x7 rural electricity. |
2003 |
Double-digit GDP growth[3] |
Maintained ~10% average GDP growth |
2006–2012 |
GST (Goods & Services Tax) |
India’s first unified indirect tax system replaced complex multi-layered tax system. |
2017 |
Make in India |
First national initiative to boost manufacturing and attract foreign investment. |
2014 |
Startup India |
First comprehensive policy to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation. |
2016 |
Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC)[4] |
First comprehensive reform for resolving bad loans and insolvency efficiently. |
2016 |
Infrastructure & Connectivity
Infrastructure has been the central pillar of Narendra Modi’s governance. From transforming Gujarat’s urban spaces with the Sabarmati Riverfront and Charanka Solar Park to driving national projects like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, and India’s first bullet train corridor, his focus has been on connecting people, regions, and industries most efficiently. These projects have redefined India’s transport, urban, and energy infrastructure.
Initiative |
Description |
Year |
Sabarmati Riverfront Development[1] |
India’s first major urban riverfront redevelopment transformed a neglected riverbank into public space. |
2005 onwards |
Charanka Solar Park[2] |
First large-scale solar park in Asia at the time. |
2012 |
Bharatmala: First Indian highway project to specifically prioritize freight efficiency border security and hinterland connectivity under a unified national plan. Sagarmala: first Indian program to systematically link ports with industrial clusters and inland waterways promoting port-led industrialization. |
2015 onwards |
|
High-Speed Rail (Bullet Train)[5] |
India’s first bullet train corridor (Mumbai–Ahmedabad). |
2017 onwards |
UDAN Scheme[6] |
First affordable regional air connectivity initiative connecting smaller towns. |
2016 |
Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Line[7] |
First rail connectivity in J&K; includes world’s highest railway arch bridge over Chenab River. |
2025 |
Agriculture & Rural Development
Supporting farmers and rural communities has always been Narendra Modi’s first priority. Through initiatives like Krishi Mahotsav, Soil Health Cards, and the WASMO water model, Narendra Modi introduced first-of-its-kind solutions for sustainable farming and rural water management. These programs empowered communities, improved productivity, and strengthened India’s agricultural resilience.
Initiative |
Description |
Year |
Krishi Mahotsav[1] |
First mass farmer outreach program to educate about modern agriculture. |
2005 onwards |
Soil Health Cards[2] |
First implemented in Gujarat; guided nutrient management for farmers. |
2003-04[3] |
WASMO Model[4] |
Community-led rural water supply and management system. |
2002 |
Soil Health Card Scheme |
First pan-India Soil Health to help farmers to improve productivity through judicious use of inputs. |
2015 |
e-NAM (Electronic National Agriculture Market)[5] |
First pan-India electronic trading platform for agricultural produce. |
2016 |
PM KISAN |
First-ever direct income support scheme for all landholding farmers in India |
2018 |
Social Welfare & Health
Improving the lives of citizens, especially the underprivileged, has been central to Narendra Modi’s approach. From girl child education campaigns and Chiranjeevi Yojana in Gujarat to nationwide schemes like Ayushman Bharat, PM Ujjwala, and Har Ghar Jal, these initiatives have addressed health, education, and basic living standards at an unprecedented scale.
Initiative |
Description |
Year |
Kanya Kelavani & Shala Praveshotsav[1] |
First statewide campaigns to promote girl child education. |
2003 |
Chiranjeevi Yojana[2] |
First program ensuring safe institutional deliveries to reduce maternal mortality. |
2005 onwards |
Mukhyamantri Amrutam Yojana[3] |
First state health insurance for poor; precursor to Ayushman Bharat. |
2012 |
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana[4] |
First program giving free LPG connections to women below the poverty line. |
2016 |
Ayushman Bharat[5] |
India’s first universal health coverage scheme offering Rs 5 lakh per family. |
2018 |
Jal Jeevan Mission/Har Ghar Jal |
First comprehensive plan to provide drinking water to all rural households. |
2019 |
Governance & Administration
Narendra Modi has consistently leveraged technology and transparency to modernize governance. Starting with SWAGAT and e-Dhara in Gujarat, he expanded digital services nationally through Digital India, single-window clearances, and innovative public engagement like the Google+ Hangout. These efforts strengthened accountability, increased citizen participation, and enhanced administrative efficiency.
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Initiative |
Description |
Year |
SWAGAT[1] |
India’s first tech-based grievance redressal system; inspired national PRAGATI platform. |
2003 |
e-Dhara Land Records[2] |
First full-state digitization of land records in India. |
2004 |
Google+ Hangout[3] |
First political Google+ Hangout in India connecting millions across 116 countries. |
2012 |
Khilkhilat Ambulance Service[4] |
First neonatal care ambulance service with educational and entertainment features. |
2012 |
Technology & Innovation
Promoting digital transformation and modern technology has been a hallmark of Narendra Modi’s leadership. From pioneering UPI and digital payments to rolling out 5G, these initiatives have accelerated India’s technological adoption, expanded access, and positioned the country as a leader in the digital economy.
Initiative |
Description |
Year |
Digital India |
First integrated national push for broadband e-governance and digital literacy. |
2015 |
UPI Revolution / Digital Payments Growth[1] |
First system to enable real-time nationwide cashless payments. |
2016 onwards |
5G Rollout[2] |
First advanced telecom technology rollout in India at scale never seen before. |
2022 Onwards |
Foreign Policy & Diplomacy
Narendra Modi redefined India’s global engagement, emphasizing regional cooperation, renewable energy diplomacy, and multilateral leadership. Initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, hosting G20, resolving border enclaves with Bangladesh, and proposing International Yoga Day showcase India’s proactive and innovative diplomacy on the world stage.
Initiative |
Description |
Year |
SAARC Leaders at Swearing-in[1] |
First time leaders from SAARC nations attended Indian PM oath-taking ceremony. |
2014 |
Fasted during White House Visit[2] |
Only world leader to fast during a state-level US visit (Navratri). |
2014 |
International Solar Alliance[3] |
First global solar-focused intergovernmental initiative led by India. |
2015 |
Launched Act East & Pushed Neighborhood First Policy[4] |
Strengthening India’s regional and Southeast/East Asian ties. |
2014 onwards |
G20 Leadership & Summit Hosting |
First time India hosted G20 summit increasing global visibility. |
2023 |
Settlement of India-Bangladesh Enclaves[5] |
Resolution of 162 border enclaves since 1947. |
2015 |
International Yoga Day |
Proposed and established the first globally celebrated Yoga Day on 21 June. |
2014 |
Defence & Security
Strengthening India’s defence capabilities and protecting national security have been central to Narendra Modi’s agenda. From surgical strikes, Balakot airstrikes, and Operation Sindoor to modernizing defence production and personally visiting troops in extreme terrains, he has combined strategic action with morale-boosting leadership, setting new standards for defence and veterans’ welfare.
Initiative |
Description |
Year |
Surgical Strikes Balakot Airstrike Operation Sindoor |
First direct retaliatory cross-border operations in modern India’s history. |
2016 2019 2025 |
Defence Modernization/ Atmanirbhar Bharat[1] |
First large-scale push for indigenous defence production. |
2015 onwards DPP-2016 |
One Rank One Pension (OROP)[3] |
First implementation of uniform pension for armed forces veterans. |
2014 onwards |
Zero Stone-Pelting in Jammu & Kashmir[4] |
First recorded period in the region with no stone-pelting incidents marking a historic improvement in law and order and public safety under PM Modi’s leadership. |
2023 |
Energy & Environment
Narendra Modi has emphasized sustainability and renewable energy long before it became mainstream policy. Establishing Gujarat’s Climate Change Department, commissioning large solar parks, promoting wind energy, and supporting Chandrayaan-3 reflect his commitment to innovating in energy and environmental management, making India a leader in global sustainability efforts.
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Dedicated Climate Change Department[1] |
First in India first in Asia fourth in the world to form an independent Climate Change department. |
2009 |
International Solar Alliance |
First global platform for solar energy collaboration among nations. |
2015 |
Chandrayaan-3 Lunar South Pole Landing |
India became the first country in the world to soft-land near the Moon’s south pole. |
2023 |
National Integration & Critical Infrastructure
Ensuring national integration and strategic infrastructure has been a priority. From the Statue of Unity to fully integrating Jammu & Kashmir and constructing landmark rail and urban projects, these initiatives represent first-ever efforts to strengthen unity, accessibility, and national pride.
Initiative |
Description |
Year |
Abrogation of Article 370 |
First full integration of J&K forming the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh. |
2019 |
Statue of Unity[1] |
First world’s tallest statue honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. |
2018 |
Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Line |
First rail connection in J&K includes world’s highest railway arch bridge. |
2025 |
Crisis Management & Humanitarian Assistance
Narendra Modi’s leadership has shown strong foresight in responding to global challenges. From the Vande Bharat Mission, the largest peacetime civilian evacuation in history, to Vaccine Maitri supplying COVID-19 vaccines worldwide, he has demonstrated India’s capacity to act decisively and humanely in crises.
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