Since 2000 around half a billion people have gained access to electricity in India, with political effort over the last five years significantly accelerating progress, says the global energy agency.

Modi government had launched the Namami Gange programme in June 2014 with budget outlay of Rs 20,000 crore to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of the Ganges.

Demonetisation and GST are the two major headwinds that held back India's economic growth last year, Raghuram Rajan said, asserting that the current seven per cent growth rate is not enough for India.