Modi delivers longest Independence Day speech with GST reforms, youth job scheme, and a vision for self-reliant India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15 delivered his longest Independence Day speech to date, speaking for 103 minutes from the Red Fort. He surpassed his previous record of 98 minutes last year and earlier milestones of 96 minutes, 92 minutes, 90 minutes and 88 minutes. His shortest address lasted 56 minutes. Since 2014, his speeches have averaged around 82 minutes, making him the longest-speaking Prime Minister on Independence Day. In 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the nation for 72 minutes. This was Modi’s 12th consecutive Independence Day address, marked by major announcements for the middle class, poor, farmers and youth.
The 103-minute address is now the longest ever delivered by any Indian Prime Minister on Independence Day. Modi has consistently used the occasion to set out national priorities and policy shifts, with this year’s speech focusing on economic reforms, employment and self-reliance.
Modi announced next-generation Goods and Services Tax reforms, promising to roll them out by Diwali. He called it a “double Diwali” for citizens. The reforms will simplify the tax structure, lower rates on essential goods and reduce compliance for small businesses also they aim to ease the financial burden on households and fuel economic growth.
He unveiled the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana, a ₹1 lakh crore scheme to boost employment. Under the plan, first-time job-seekers in the private sector will receive ₹15,000 in support whereas the scheme aims to generate 3.5 crore job opportunities, empower young people and drive economic momentum.
Modi announced the Sudarshan Chakra defence system to enhance national security. He reaffirmed the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and stressed the need to reduce dependence on imports and he confirmed that India-made semiconductor chips will enter the market by year-end. He also revealed plans for a domestic space station. More than 300 startups are already active in India’s space sector, signalling a new phase of innovation.
The Prime Minister set a target for India to become a developed nation by 2047 and he also urged citizens to support local industries, adopt digital payments and uphold the spirit of self-reliance. He linked the nation’s freedom struggle to the modern challenge of building a strong, resilient economy.
