India 2003–2025 — UPA vs NDA, in 214 Charts

Absolute gains dominate the NDA era — GDP +$1.9T, forex to $717B, CPI at a multi-decade low — while UPA keeps merchandise-export growth, FDI-credibility building and general-government debt reduction.

The most one-sided section in the dataset: expressways 6×, metro rail 4×, DFCs and Vande Bharat from zero. UPA-era road fatalities are the only shared failure.

Solar (2.8 → 165 GW) is the largest multiple anywhere in this comparison; electrification flips NDA under the gap-closure rule. Rising oil-import dependence is UPA's lone win.

The cleanest NDA sweep — UPI, 5G, data costs, IT exports — built directly on the UPA-era Aadhaar and telecom foundation.

Health outcomes improved at a similar relative pace in both eras — half this section is honestly Mixed; NDA wins on infrastructure (medical colleges, MBBS seats), not outcomes.

The weakest section for both governments: learning outcomes flat for 20 years, spending never approached the 6%-of-GDP target either era.

Poverty reduction and welfare delivery (tap water, PMJDY, DBT) favour NDA; agriculture growth — horticulture, agri exports — favours UPA.

Defence exports 56×, India declared Naxal-free in 2026; fighter-squadron strength declined under both governments.

The only section UPA wins: press freedom, judicial pendency, corruption perception and institutional indices all deteriorated after 2014.

Renewables and wildlife recovery are NDA-era stories; forest-cover expansion pace is UPA's win.

Bottom-of-pyramid access — banking, LPG, internet, women's financial inclusion — swept by NDA; inequality metrics stay genuinely contested.

Output records everywhere except the one that matters most: manufacturing share of GDP fell faster after 2014 than before.