NEWS – Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a record 103-minute address on the 79th Independence Day, the longest by any Indian PM. He unveiled significant initiatives across employment, defence, economy, energy, and technology, setting the vision for a Viksit Bharat @2047.

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Employment & Economic Growth

• Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana (PM-VBRY):
  • ₹1 lakh-crore scheme to incentivise job creation.
  • Youths securing jobs in private sector to receive ₹15,000.
  • Focus on manufacturing and employer incentives.
• Dedicated Reform Task Force:
  • To drive next-generation reforms, cut red tape, and modernise governance.
  • Aim: prepare India for a $10 trillion economy by 2047.
• Next-Generation GST Reforms (by Diwali 2025):
  • Substantial tax relief for common citizens.
  • Benefits for SMEs via reduced tax on daily-use items.
  • Rationalisation of GST structure after 8 years of implementation.

Defence & Security

• Sudarshan Chakra Mission:
  • Advanced defence initiative to shield strategic, civilian, and religious sites.
  • Nationwide tech-driven security shield targeted by 2035.
• High-Powered Demography Mission:
  • To address risks of illegal migration and demographic imbalance in border regions.

Energy & Technology

• Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat:
  • Goal: 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 (tenfold rise from 8.18 GW).
  • Aligned with India’s Panchamrit climate action plan.
• Made-in-India Semiconductor Chips:
  • Domestic chips to enter market by end of 2025.
  • Six manufacturing units under the India Semiconductor Mission.
  • Crucial for electronics, defence, healthcare, and AI-driven industries.

Vision of Self-Reliance

• PM emphasised that “the bedrock of a Viksit Bharat is a self-reliant Bharat.”
• Focus sectors: defence, space, energy, semiconductors, pharma, AI, deep tech, and cyber security.