At the time of independence, India faced three major challenges: nation-building, establishing democracy, and achieving economic development with social justice. These were closely linked and had to be addressed together to ensure national stability and growth.

1. Nation-Building:

• Integration of Princely States: India had to unite British provinces and over 500 princely states, which required diplomatic efforts and, in some cases, military action.

• Managing Diversity: With its vast cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity, maintaining national unity was a major challenge.

• Refugee Rehabilitation: Partition led to the displacement of millions, requiring urgent resettlement and relief efforts.

2. Establishing a Democratic Setup:

• Creating Democratic Institutions: India adopted universal adult franchise and a parliamentary democracy, building institutions from the ground up.

• Public Participation: Encouraging political awareness and engagement among a diverse population was essential.

• Promoting Secularism: India chose to be a secular state, ensuring equal treatment for all religions despite the communal tensions of Partition.

3. Economic Development with Social Justice:

• Tackling Poverty and Inequality: India needed to address widespread poverty and economic disparity through planned development.

• Industrialization: Building infrastructure, industries, and modern technology was key to progress.

• Ensuring Social Justice: Special focus was placed on uplifting marginalized communities and distributing resources equitably.

These efforts laid the foundation for a united, democratic, and inclusive India.