Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 13th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort, outlined key initiatives aimed at achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047, with a focus on AI training for youth, defence modernisation, nuclear energy, the semiconductor sector and sports.
Mr. Modi said India must focus on seven key sectors, including manufacturing, food processing, technology, innovation and digital technologies, to build a Viksit Bharat. He stressed the importance of cost competitiveness, quality and scale in manufacturing.
Here are the top announcements from PM Modi’s Independence Day speech
1. One crore youth to be trained in AI over the next year
The Prime Minister placed technology and innovation at the centre of India’s growth ambitions, calling for leadership in emerging technologies and announcing AI skill training for one crore youth over the next year.
Addressing the nation on the 80th Independence Day, Mr. Modi said new frontiers in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, space technology, robotics and data centres are opening up rapidly, and emphasised the need for India to lead in these areas.
India must become a global hub for innovation, he said. Stressing the importance of preparing young people for an AI-driven economy, Mr. Modi announced a major skill development initiative.
“In the coming one year, we will work to provide AI skill training to one crore youth, so that India’s youth can lead in the AI era,” he said.
2. Free online coaching for competitive examinations
Mr. Modi announced free online coaching for students preparing for competitive examinations, saying the initiative would help reduce the financial burden on families.
“Coaching classes burden the poor and the middle class. We will provide free online coaching for various exams,” he said. The PM observed that many parents feel compelled to enrol their children in coaching centres in order to keep pace with societal expectations.
Assuring families that they could save substantial amounts spent on coaching, the Prime Minister said the government would leverage existing digital public infrastructure, educators and technological resources to build a nationwide network offering free coaching for a range of examinations.
3. Civil defence reform and defence manufacturing push
The Prime Minister reiterated his vision of making India a global hub for defence manufacturing, with an emphasis on self-reliance in advanced technologies such as hypersonic systems, drones and counter-drone platforms.
He also referred to both external and internal security challenges and announced plans to develop a comprehensive civil defence network with enhanced training and capabilities.
Mr. Modi said work on Sudarshan Chakra, an indigenous air defence system, was progressing rapidly.
Emphasising the importance of domestic defence production, he said strengthening indigenous capabilities was essential to enhancing India’s strategic preparedness and security.
4.Sports talent hunt for children aged 5 to 15
Mr. Modi said India was a strong contender to host the 2036 Olympic Games and announced a nationwide talent identification programme to strengthen the country’s sporting prospects. He said the campaign would focus on children aged between 5 and 15 years in villages and cities across the country.
The Prime Minister noted that the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, launched in 2014, had played a significant role in supporting elite athletes.
“We have decided that in 2036, we should have participation in at least three-fourths of the events. We are launching a nationwide talent hunt for children aged 5 to 15 to identify prospects in every corner of the country. They will get special training to become world-class athletes,” the PM said.
5. Semiconductor push: More fabrication plants planned
Mr. Modi said semiconductor production had already commenced at three plants in India, with exports also under way.
Highlighting the country’s efforts towards technological self-reliance, he said India had moved beyond discussions on semiconductor manufacturing and had begun production at semiconductor plants.
The Prime Minister said the government had taken decisive steps to strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem and added that five to eight more plants were expected to be established in the coming years, further advancing the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.
6. Nuclear energy: 100 GW target by 2047
Mr. Modi reaffirmed the importance of energy security and announced plans to operationalise five new nuclear reactors during this decade. The Prime Minister said the government had set a target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 as part of its long-term energy strategy.
“Energy security is the demand of the time. With the SHANTI Act passed in Parliament, we have created the framework to achieve our goal. Our goal is to achieve 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity. We aim to start five new nuclear reactors in this decade,” he said.
Published – August 15, 2026 12:51 pm IST
