Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 12th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort, outlined a series of ambitious initiatives aimed at propelling India towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. The announcements spanned various sectors, from defense and technology to employment and economic reforms, signaling a strong push for self-reliance and modernization.
A major focus of the Prime Minister's speech was on strengthening India's defense capabilities through indigenization. Modi launched "Mission Sudarshan Chakra," an ambitious plan to develop an indigenous air defense system, similar to Israel's Iron Dome, to protect critical sites from terrorist attacks. The mission aims to expand and modernize India's "national security shield" by 2035, entirely through domestic research, development, and manufacturing. Emphasizing self-reliance, Modi also urged the scientific and engineering community to take up the challenge of designing and building jet engines for India's fighter aircraft. This call comes amid delays in foreign engine deliveries, highlighting the need for self-sufficiency in critical defense technologies. Modi asserted that self-reliance in defense is vital for national security.
In the technology sector, Modi confirmed that India's first domestically produced semiconductor chips would be launched by the end of 2025. He lamented the missed opportunities in the past, stating that India's early semiconductor ambitions were stalled decades ago. With six semiconductor units already on the ground and four more approved, this initiative marks a turning point for India's electronics, automotive, and defense sectors.
Addressing the critical issue of employment, the Prime Minister officially launched the ₹1 lakh crore "PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana". Under this scheme, young Indians entering their first private sector job will receive ₹15,000 from the government. The scheme aims to benefit over 3.5 crore young people and is designed to incentivize both first-time employees and employers. Companies that create more employment opportunities will also receive incentives, with employers potentially receiving up to ₹3,000 per month per new employee. The "Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana" is expected to create approximately 3.5 crore new jobs in the next two years.
Recognizing the importance of economic reforms, PM Modi announced next-generation Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms to be unveiled on Diwali. These reforms aim to reduce taxes on essential goods and provide relief to MSMEs, local vendors, and consumers. Additionally, Modi announced the creation of a dedicated Reform Task Force to drive next-generation reforms, accelerate economic growth, cut red tape, modernize governance, and prepare India for a $10 trillion economy by 2047.
The Prime Minister also addressed the issue of demographic changes in border areas, warning that infiltrators were threatening livelihoods, targeting women, and misleading tribal communities to seize land. He announced the launch of a “High-Power Demography Mission” to address these concerns, calling demographic shifts in sensitive regions “a direct threat to national security".
Furthermore, Modi emphasized the importance of energy independence and announced the launch of the National Deepwater Exploration Mission to tap ocean resources, alongside major expansions in solar, hydrogen, hydro and nuclear power. As part of India's mission to increase nuclear power generation capacity, work is underway on 10 new nuclear reactors, with the goal of increasing capacity tenfold by 2047.
In a historic address lasting 103 minutes, Prime Minister Modi highlighted India's achievements and aspirations, setting the stage for a future marked by self-reliance, technological advancement, and economic prosperity.
