India has made enormous strides to emerge as one of the fastest growing economies in the world

India's growth history must be more equitable, inclusive and sustainable. The benefits of economic growth must be reduced to the basic level, to reduce inequalities in terms of wealth, health outcomes and educational levels. It is therefore essential to find new solutions to address current and future socio-economic challenges, such as waste management, environmental pollution, maternal and child health, rationalization and improvement of agricultural processes, including minimizing losses. post-harvest, and creating alternative livelihood opportunities in the rural sector. These innovations, which focus on addressing social issues, are fundamental to the development of last-mile solutions that can fill gaps at the grassroots level.

In recent decades, India has made enormous strides to emerge as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. At the same time, policies and programs introduced at national and state level have enabled the country to obtain these economic benefits.

With steady progress and concerted efforts, the country has seen an immense improvement in the number and quality of its health facilities, reduction of pregnancy-related deaths, improved sanitation and immune coverage and has successfully avoided several disease epidemics preventable. However, much remains to be done.

India has recently witnessed a phenomenal increase in interest in impact-driven and market-based innovations as a way to achieve sustainable economic growth. Social innovations, such as fair trade, mobile learning applications to improve literacy and numerical skills, mobile money transfer, tissue-based reusable sanitary napkins have shown how innovative and creative solutions can play a critical role in solving urgent and sometimes neglected problems.