The first case of COVID-19 in India was identified in a student who flew from Wuhan, China (where the COVID-19 pandemic originated) to Kerala, India, on January 30, 2020. However, the number of cases increased in March 2020 as many people were evacuated from the pandemic-hit countries. The increase in the number of COVID-19 cases caused social and economic distress across India. The number of cases stagnated at the end of 2021 but increased during January–February 2022 due to the third wave of the pandemic. As of May 31, 2022, India had more than 43 million cumulative number of COVID-19 cases.
The Government of India adopted stringent measures to tackle COVID-19 in the country. State authorities enforced curfews, lockdowns, and telecommuting for organizations. Despite such harsh measures, COVID-19 cases increased rapidly in the first wave as there was less awareness regarding the coronavirus disease. The easing of restrictions after the first wave made way for the life-threatening second wave. Non-compliance with social protocols recommended by the government led to a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases during the third wave. However, an efficient vaccination policy, and a less-virulent Omicron variant helped India withstand the third wave. The impact on the economy was also less severe during the third wave in comparison to the earlier waves.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the Indian economy. The GDP growth fell, and inflation rate, and unemployment increased due to the pandemic. Moreover, various industries such as healthcare, aviation, and tourism were also severely affected. To support the affected industries, the Government of India reduced bank rates, introduced incentivized schemes, and provided attractive loans for entrepreneurs.
The pandemic also affected physical and mental health as people suffered from anxiety, stress, and depression. The government also imposed lockdowns and travel restrictions as part of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The government supported the general public by increasing the distribution of staple food through the public distribution system and expenditure on health infrastructure.
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