Narendra Modi, at 73 years old, has secured his third term as India's Prime Minister in a swearing-in ceremony witnessed by large crowds at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Despite the historic nature of his victory, Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not achieve the majority they had hoped for, necessitating cooperation with other parties in the coalition for forming the government. This outcome marked a shift from Modi's past ten years in power where he led the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) without the need for extensive regional alliances.

The unexpected election results saw the BJP winning 240 seats, well below the landslide victory anticipated, leading to the formation of a coalition with 14 regional parties to reach a total of 293 seats in the lower house. Modi's leadership, often scrutinized for perceived authoritarian tendencies, now faces the challenge of managing diverse interests within the coalition, including demands for increased funds for states and cabinet positions. While key NDA leaders have pledged their support to Modi, the dynamics of the coalition present a new set of hurdles for the leader known for his strong grip on power.

Economic concerns add another layer of complexity to Modi's third term, with high unemployment rates among educated individuals, inflation above the target rate, and significant wealth inequality documented. Challenges such as tackling unemployment rates for university graduates, meeting economic targets, and addressing wealth disparities pose critical tests to Modi's leadership as he embarks on another term as Prime Minister of India.