India Surpasses Japan to Become 4th Largest Economy
India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, with a nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reaching $4.19 trillion in 2025. The announcement was made by NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam during a press briefing following the 10th Governing Council meeting of the planning body. The development marks a major milestone in India’s global economic trajectory.
India Economy Rank
As per the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook 2025, India’s nominal GDP has risen to $4.19 trillion, surpassing Japan’s $4.18 trillion. This historic jump places India behind only the United States, China, and Germany in the global economic hierarchy.
Subrahmanyam noted that this achievement reflects not just economic momentum but also favorable global shifts that have benefited India. He also asserted that “India is firmly on track to surpass Germany and become the third-largest economy within 2.5 to 3 years.”
GDP Growth 2025
India’s economic performance continues to outpace most major economies. The IMF projects a real GDP growth rate of 6.4% for the country in 2025. Factors fueling this growth include domestic consumption, strong services sector output, resilient infrastructure investments, and strategic policy measures that have improved the ease of doing business.
Per capita income has seen a sharp rise, more than doubling from $1,438 in 2013–14 to $2,880 in 2025. This jump is a strong indicator of rising living standards and expanding middle-class capacity, further strengthening the foundation for sustainable long-term growth.
NITI Aayog CEO’s Perspective
According to B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, India’s continued ascent depends on focused reforms across multiple sectors. These include governance, logistics, infrastructure, manufacturing competitiveness, education systems, and financial access.
He emphasized that the growth is not merely statistical, but indicative of a deep structural transformation. “India is not just growing in numbers. It is growing in maturity, resilience, and global credibility,” he said.
The CEO also called on states to play a stronger role in unlocking growth potential and leveraging India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to attract more investment and export opportunities.
India’s transition into the top four economies marks the beginning of a new chapter. The emphasis now shifts toward maintaining this momentum, improving per capita wealth, and addressing internal challenges through innovation-driven, inclusive development strategies.=
