I do not know about India as a whole making strides in economic growth. It has to do something with the overall education level. I am taking the example of Kerala , a small coastal state in the southern part of India. This small state in India has made great strides in economy as well as high living standards. I think this has to do with the high literacy rate in the state due to various socioeconomic &amp; political reasons. This model of development is called Kerala model.<p>An excerpt from the Wikipedia article , <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Kerala_model" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Kerala_model</a><p>&quot; Kerala, a state in India, is a bizarre anomaly among developing nations, a place that offers real hope for the future of the Third World. Though not much larger than Maryland, Kerala has a population as big as California&#x27;s and a per capita annual income of less than $300. But its infant mortality rate is very low, its literacy rate among the highest on Earth, and its birthrate below America&#x27;s and falling faster. Kerala&#x27;s residents live nearly as long as Americans or Europeans. Though mostly a land of paddy-covered plains, statistically Kerala stands out as the Mount Everest of social development; there&#x27;s truly no place like it. &quot;<p>Some of the recent news in which Kerala stands out from all other states in India.<p>1. The Cochin International Airport in Kerala is the world&#x27;s first fully solar powered airport.<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;time.com&#x2F;4002630&#x2F;solar-power-india-airport-flight-green-technology-renewable-energy-environment&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;time.com&#x2F;4002630&#x2F;solar-power-india-airport-flight-gre...</a><p>2. Did I mention that Kerala too has 1Gbps connectivity, currently given for startup incubators in IT parks, soon the entire state will have it.<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.newindianexpress.com&#x2F;cities&#x2F;kochi&#x2F;Kerala-All-Set-to-Have-Fastest-Net-Access-in-Country&#x2F;2014&#x2F;11&#x2F;04&#x2F;article2507076.ece" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.newindianexpress.com&#x2F;cities&#x2F;kochi&#x2F;Kerala-All-Set-...</a><p>3.&quot;As Kerala gets ready to be declared India’s first ‘Digital State’ on August 15, a host of vital data shows that the state is well ahead of other states in e-matters.&quot;<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.newindianexpress.com&#x2F;states&#x2F;kerala&#x2F;Data-Shows-Kerala-is-Well-Ahead-of-Other-States-in-e-matters&#x2F;2015&#x2F;08&#x2F;08&#x2F;article2963156.ece" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.newindianexpress.com&#x2F;states&#x2F;kerala&#x2F;Data-Shows-Ker...</a><p>Wikipedia article about Kerala State <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Kerala" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Kerala</a><p>PS: I am from Kerala state &amp; I enjoy almost the same living standards in Kerala as that of US where I am currently working.