642 million voters participated in India’s 2024 general election, which lasted 44 days. It led to forming a coalition government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The government introduced several economic and infrastructural reforms, influencing the multi-million-dollar moving industry in ways that may not seem obvious to many.

You might be wondering: How does infrastructure reform affect India’s moving industry, or what does the Indo-China relationship have to do with people relocating? The short answer is: A lot. The entire country’s economic landscape, shaped by the elected government, has a massive impact on relocation trends in a country of 1.4 billion people. This is especially true when a trend of reverse urbanization during the COVID-19 pandemic continued after it ended. Let’s dive in.

Domestic Relocation: Local and Hyper-Local Manufacturing Boost 

The Effect: India has a growing economy, with many living below the poverty line. However, it is also a country of industrious, skilled workers seeking opportunities to change their circumstances and improve lives for future generations. It’s also a country where some of the greatest ideas are invented. Government schemes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) are not just aimed at manual labor jobs that the infrastructure sector demands. They’re also helping jobs for all collars—white, green, pink, grey, gold, and so on (yes, there are this many collar colors to categorize jobs). 

Manufacturing, especially in semiconductors, electric vehicles, and green technology, is driving the moving industry as new industrial zones emerge, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. India wants to rival China’s dominance in the world’s manufacturing industry. This impetus in manufacturing also makes it ideal not only for the job-seekers but also MSME entrepreneurs. 

The Strategy: One of India’s greatest ways to stay competitive is to offer cost-efficient, digitally powered moving services. Virtual consultations or app-based solutions make moving hassle-free for people with short attention spans and shorter interest lifespans. 

International: FDI, Trade Agreements, and Expat-Friendly Policies 

The Effect: The Indian diaspora attracts professionals from around the globe due to simplified work visas (but it still has a long way to go), enhancements to the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), and startup-friendly initiatives. The Modi-led government, which is in its third term, has been doing this for the past decade, and its results have begun to show. However, other challenges, such as state-specific immigration rules, administrative red tape, and cultural adjustment, may continue to pose challenges for cross-border moving projects. 

Additionally, an increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) is expected, including trade agreements signed with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Australia, etc. Multinational corporations establishing operations in India only spells ‘opportunity’ for the moving businesses. 

The Strategy: Offering add-ons may be a successful competitive strategy to help non-Indians navigate the shift. The devil is in the details. Offering assistance with visas, legal support, or creating a dossier or guide to help them acclimatize could go a long way for B2C and B2B operations. Creating partnerships with ancillary vendors could be the key to success in a country where ‘trust’ and ‘word of mouth’ could help you make or break it.

A Green Future and the Human Angle

The current government is focused on sustainability. For example, policy reforms for electric vehicles and clean energy will completely change how the moving industry functions, saving energy and improving cost efficiency in the long run. Aiming for a carbon-neutral or carbon-positive moving business is the way to go.

After all, India’s current moving industry demographic is driven by emotion and the need to look after one’s family. This makes it unique and dynamic, meaning entrepreneurs looking at India must keep experimenting and finding the right approach for their market. What may work internationally may not work in this country, but more importantly, every region has its own needs. South India functions differently from the North East or the North.

Contrastingly, the younger generations, like Gen Z, are less deeply rooted in familial land and responsibilities than the older generations. Lifestyle upgrades and global exposure make them move places often. This shows how drastically the moving industry is set to change in the coming years. Focusing on green practices and fully digital services is paramount to appealing to Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the customers and voters of tomorrow.