India’s Path to Upper-Middle-Income Status by 2050: Challenges and Opportunities India, with its 1.4 billion people and rapidly growing economy, stands at a critical juncture in its development trajectory. Eighty years ago, most countries that were poor remained so, with rare exceptions like oil-rich nations aligned with the United States or those benefiting from US-led security and economic support, such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. China’s remarkable rise since the 1980s offers a partial exception, though it has not yet fully transitioned to high-income status. India, lacking vast natural resources or a geopolitical patron, faces a unique challenge: can it achieve upper-middle-income country (UMIC) status, defined by the World Bank as a GNI per capita between $4,516 and $14,005 (2024 thresholds), within the next 25 years? This essay explores India’s prospects, drawing on historical precedents, current economic trends, and expert insights. It examines whether India ...