“Industrial Policy in the Vision of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar”

Abstract

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (1891–1956), popularly known as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, was also a distinguished economist whose contributions to industrial policy are often overlooked. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar envisioned industrialization not merely as an economic necessity but as a vehicle of social transformation. He argued that agriculture alone could not sustain India’s economic growth and emphasized state-led industrialization, labor welfare, and social justice. This paper examines Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s industrial policy in terms of his advocacy for state intervention, balanced economic growth, protection of labor, and prevention of economic inequality. By analyzing his writings, speeches, and policy interventions, this study highlights the relevance of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s economic vision for contemporary India.