Without a doubt, the PMO run by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of the strongest that this country has seen since Indira Gandhi. So, naturally, stories drawing similarities between the leadership qualities of the two are quite commonplace.

Modi’s effective leadership, in large measure, is because of the massive majority with which the country elected him to power in 2014. India’s political history is often marked with instances of coalition governments coming to power whose agenda for progress and development has been derailed due to infighting and power squabbles.

The current government is immune to such disturbances given that the power centre is concentrated in the person of the PM, unlike in the hydra-headed UPA regime where power remained splintered leading to a virtual policy paralysis. Known for working 18 hours a day, Modi’s single-minded focus has meant that many don’t breathe easy.

In cabinet meetings, ministers now turn up thoroughly prepared, unlike in earlier governments where ministers were known to carry a retinue of babus to assist them. Now, bureaucrats are restricted from entering cabinet meetings and ministers are earnestly questioned about the ins and out of their ministries and the many repercussions of their proposed policies. This top-down management has pushed ministers to be completely abreast with the lay of the land under their portfolios. A newly adopted practice under Modi is that cabinet meeting agendas are not circulated before the meetings. Earlier, such circulation led to a situation where many decisions were postponed for years.

Under the current PM, agendas are not circulated and objections, if any, are considered, vetted, and assessed within the meetings. Under Modi, the paradigm for handling the bureaucracy has seen a shift. In 2014, Modi held a meeting of all the 77 secretaries in his government, asking for suggestions to run his government. He reportedly shared his phone number, email, and RAX line, signalling that he can circumvent the ministers, if need be, to run his government.

As the government moves into its fourth year, it is time that it takes stock of the progress it has made on delivering key promises. Impressive progress has been made on the power and public infrastructure fronts. The reforms narrative is also on track with GST set to go live this July or Septemeber, as per the government’s preparation. Modi’s management has yielded impressive results till now. The next two years shouldn’t be any different.