india has seen a decade of bold policies — followed by equally dramatic U-turns.
From land acquisition to farm laws to flight duty limits, the cycle is familiar: headline-grabbing push → national chaos → political recalibration → rollback.
Depending on whom you ask, this is either responsive governance… or policy-making without foresight.
The truth lies somewhere between ambition and anxiety.
And these reversals reveal just how complicated governing post-Partition india truly is.
1. 2015 – Land Acquisition Bill Amendments: A Reform That Never Took Off
A sweeping overhaul was announced with fanfare, then hit a wall of farmer anger.
Rollback showed the gap between economic vision and ground reality.
2. 2016 – EPF Withdrawal Tax: Designed to Modernize, Killed by Outrage
Aimed at formalising retirement savings, but workers revolted instantly.
The government backtracked within days — a rare admission of misjudgment.
3. 2017 – FCAT Abolition: A Shock Move That Created More Problems
Removing the appeals tribunal only complicated film certification further.
A classic case of reform without anticipating consequences.
4. 2018 – Electronics Customs Duties: Make in india Meets Market Pushback
The push to boost domestic manufacturing clashed with rising consumer costs.
The tweaks and reversals reflected tension between nationalism and practicality.
5. 2019 – Nationwide NRC: Announced Loudly, frozen Quietly
Political heat, legal doubts, and national protests muted the idea.
The rollback was silent but undeniable.
6. 2021 – Farm Laws: The Most Dramatic Repeal in Modern Politics
Three historic laws, passed at lightning speed, were scrapped after year-long protests.
A massive lesson in underestimating political sentiment.
7. 2023 – Personal Data Protection Bill: Rewritten After Global & Domestic Pressure
Multiple drafts, multiple controversies, and eventual rebooting showed the struggle of regulating tech in a democracy of 1.4 billion.
8. 2024 – Broadcasting services Regulation Bill: Ambition Meets Backlash
A sweeping media overhaul collided with constitutional concerns.
Another pause, another rethink.
9. 2024 – Civil services Lateral Entry: Visionary on Paper, Chaotic in Reality
Meant to bring new talent into bureaucracy — but faced turf wars and institutional resistance.
Slowed, softened, and selectively implemented.
10. 2025 – Waqf Reform: Passed, Applauded… Then Quietly Parked
A bold, controversial reform that remains stuck in limbo.
Political courage evaporated after initial heat.
11. 2025 – Ban on Older vehicles in Delhi: Policy vs. Practicality
Environmental logic met logistical disaster.
The rework revealed how policy often outruns infrastructure.
12. 2025 – DGCA FDTL Rules: airlines Revolted, Policy Retreated
Designed for pilot safety, undone by airline unpreparedness.
A reminder that execution matters as much as intention.
THE BIGGER PATTERN
india announces big.
India debates bigger.
India reverses biggest.
It’s not always weakness — but it’s rarely strategic clarity.
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