Narendra Modi has achieved a new milestone in Indian political history, now holding the distinction of delivering the second-highest number of consecutive Independence Day speeches from the Red Fort. With his address on August 15, 2025, Modi marked his 12th consecutive Independence Day speech, surpassing the record of the late Indira Gandhi, who delivered 11 consecutive speeches.

Only Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, stands ahead of Modi, having addressed the nation on Independence Day for 17 consecutive years. Indira Gandhi, despite serving two separate terms as Prime Minister, delivered a total of 16 Independence Day speeches, though not all consecutively.

Modi's continuous addresses began in 2014, after assuming office, and have now exceeded that of Manmohan Singh, who served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and hoisted the tricolor ten times. Other Prime Ministers, such as Lal Bahadur Shastri, Morarji Desai, P.V. Narasimha Rao, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had shorter runs of Independence Day addresses during their respective tenures.

The content and length of Prime Minister Modi's Independence Day speeches have also been noteworthy. His addresses have consistently covered significant national issues and provided updates on governmental policies and initiatives. In 2023, Modi set a record for the longest Independence Day speech, clocking in at 98 minutes. His shortest speech was 55 minutes long in 2017, while his longest was 94 minutes in 2016.

Historically, the duration of these addresses has increased. Nehru's initial speech in 1947 was a concise 24 minutes, while Indira Gandhi's longest, delivered in 1972, reached 54 minutes. Modi's average speech length stands at 82 minutes, exceeding that of I.K. Gujral, whose single Independence Day speech in 1997 lasted approximately 71 minutes.

In his recent address, Modi hailed the abrogation of Article 370, emphasizing the acceptance of "One Nation, One Constitution". He also commemorated the 125th Jayanti of Syama Prasad Mookherjee, acknowledging his lasting impact on India's political and cultural landscape. Modi highlighted the widespread celebration of freedom, with citizens across the nation displaying the tricolor.

These annual addresses serve as a platform for the Prime Minister to outline the government's agenda, highlight achievements, and address critical national and international matters. This year's theme of "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) aligns with the government's vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047.