What were the problems faced by the new government after independence?

The major problems faced by the newly independent India were:

a) Woes of Partition: Over 8 million people crossed the border and entered the country. These were marred with poverty, unemployment and detachment from homeland. The government had to provide them with new homes and livelihoods.

b) Lack of Unity: The 345 million Indians were divided on the lines of caste, religion, linguistic abilities and class. The government had to forge greater unity and sense of national identity among the people.

c) Uncertain future of Princely States: The British government had decided to let the 546 princely states, each ruled by nawab or raja, to decide their own course. They could either integrate with India or Pakistan or decide to stay independent. Hence, there was a lot of uncertainty regarding the geographical appearance of India.

e) Promoting development: The colonial had crippled the economy of the country. Majority of the population lived in villages and engaged in agricultural activity, which was crucially dependent on the success of monsoon season. In the urban areas, the poorest people lived in dilapidated slums and poverty, unemployment and illiteracy were rampant. The government had to push millions of Indians out of poverty.