India Enters a New Era of Governance: PM Modi Announces the Start of the “Reform Express” Phase

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a transformative tone for India’s governance model by declaring that the nation has officially entered a “Reform Express” phase. The announcement, made during the NDA parliamentary meeting, marks a significant shift toward rapid, citizen-centric reforms designed to simplify daily life, modernize bureaucracy, and accelerate India’s long-term development roadmap.

The meeting began with Modi being felicitated for the NDA’s emphatic victory in the Bihar elections, where the alliance secured 202 of 243 seats, paving the way for Nitish Kumar’s return as chief minister for a tenth term | Financial Express

A Vision Built Around Citizens, Not Paperwork

Ending the Age of 40-Page Forms

In his address, PM Modi emphasized the government’s commitment to eliminating cumbersome bureaucratic processes that have long burdened citizens. He openly criticized the outdated culture of lengthy 30–40-page application forms, redundant documentation, and repetitive data submissions across departments. According to the Prime Minister, India must move beyond excessive paperwork and adopt a governance system that reaches people at their doorstep, minimising human effort and maximising efficiency.

The push toward simplification is not merely administrative but philosophical. Modiji reiterated that reforms should never be about revenue extraction or bureaucratic ego; they must fundamentally serve citizens and ensure ease of life. This direction aligns with the government’s larger drive to streamline procedures, modernize systems, and strengthen trust between the state and the public.

NDA MPs as the Bridge Between People and Policy

Collecting Real Problems from Real People

The Prime Minister urged NDA MPs to maintain direct, ground-level engagement with citizens and bring back authentic feedback from their constituencies. He stressed that many bureaucratic hurdles inconvenience millions daily—whether related to travel, essential services, or basic documentation—and the government must understand these frustrations directly rather than through filtered reports.

By empowering MPs to act as conduits between the people and policymaking, the government aims to ensure that the reform process is rooted in lived experiences. This approach also reflects the Prime Minister’s consistent insistence that governance must evolve from public expectations rather than from administrative habit.

A Decade of Reform Expands Into a High-Speed Phase

Self-Certification and Digital-first Governance

Modiji highlighted the success of the self-certification model implemented over the last decade, noting that despite initial skepticism, the system has worked efficiently and responsibly. This trust-based approach is expected to serve as the foundation for upcoming reforms focused on removing unnecessary compliances, reducing human interface, and making procedures more transparent.

The government has previously repealed thousands of outdated laws, simplified numerous regulations, and promoted digital infrastructure to reduce dependency on physical paperwork. The “Reform Express” phase builds directly on this foundation, pledging even faster decision-making, quicker transitions, and a more responsive administration.

A Larger Reform Ecosystem Taking Shape

From Ease of Doing Business to Ease of Living

The Modi government’s reform agenda has consistently aimed to merge economic growth with social convenience. Simplified regulations, support for startups, and reduced compliance burdens have already contributed to improved business conditions nationwide. Now the same aggressive simplification is being extended to public-facing services.

By combining digital governance, trust-based systems, and administrative streamlining, the government aims to create a nation where interacting with official institutions feels less like a struggle and more like a service. This shift represents a broader movement toward an Atmanirbhar Bharat, where efficiency, accessibility, and confidence in institutions become the new norm.

The MGMM Outlook

The announcement of India entering the “Reform Express” phase reflects a governance shift that aligns with our belief that public institutions must finally serve citizens with clarity, simplicity, and respect. PM Modi’s rejection of the old culture of 40-page forms and endless paperwork echoes a long-awaited demand from ordinary people who for decades struggled against slow, rigid systems. By insisting that reforms be people-first rather than revenue-driven, the government signals a renewed commitment to ensuring that essential services—whether documentation, travel permissions, or basic approvals—become faster, transparent, and rooted in trust. The push for digital processes, self-certification, and minimal human interference resonates with the idea of modern governance that stands accessible to every Indian, not just to those who can navigate bureaucracy.

Equally important is the call for NDA MPs to serve as direct channels between citizens and policy. This approach strengthens the connection between lived realities and national reform, ensuring that the frustrations of everyday life are not ignored or diluted by administrative filters. With thousands of outdated laws already repealed and digital infrastructure expanding rapidly, the “Reform Express” signals a phase where reforms no longer move cautiously—they accelerate. The broader vision is clear: ease of doing business must now translate fully into ease of living, where the state steps back from obstruction and steps forward as a responsive partner in people’s progress.

(Sources: Moneycontrol, News18, Financial Express)