Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 August 2025 delivered a 76-minute address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on India's 80th Independence Day, announcing artificial intelligence skills training for 1 crore (10 million) young people within the next year and reaffirming the government's commitment to making India a developed nation by 2047. The speech, his 13th consecutive flag-hoisting at the Red Fort, ranked as his third shortest at the venue — after a 74-minute address in 2022 and a 65-minute speech in 2014.

Historic Moment at the Red Fort

For the first time since Independence, the full rendition of Vande Mataram was performed at the Red Fort during the ceremony. Modi described the occasion as a historic moment that, in his words, 'resonated in every heart.' The event opened with the customary 21-gun salute and national anthem following the flag-hoisting.

AI Training and Youth Empowerment

The centrepiece policy announcement of the address was a commitment to equip 1 crore youth with artificial intelligence skills over the coming year, positioning India's young workforce to compete in the global AI economy. Modi also announced free online coaching for competitive examinations, targeted specifically at students from poor and middle-class families — a move aimed at levelling access to opportunity across economic strata.

Warning Against 'Dimagi Naxalism'

Modi used the national platform to caution against what he termed 'Dimagi Naxalism' — ideological forces he said seek to mislead youth and foment anarchy. He acknowledged that armed Naxalism had been significantly weakened but stressed that vigilance remained essential against efforts to sow discord through ideas rather than weapons.

India's Transformation: The Numbers

The Prime Minister devoted a significant portion of the address to documenting India's economic and social trajectory over the past 12 years, citing the country's shift from the so-called 'Fragile Five' economies to one of the world's fastest-growing major economies. Key figures cited include:

Defence production up nearly fourfold; electronics manufacturing up nearly sevenfold; modern railway coach production up 21-fold; mobile phone production up 33-fold; and output by Khadi and village industries up nearly fivefold.

In the digital domain, internet users had nearly quadrupled, patent grants had risen fourfold, and digital transactions had surged 100-fold. On basic amenities, tap-water connections were being delivered at 15 times the previous annual rate, gas connections at six times, toilets for the poor at four times, and housing for the underprivileged at three times earlier rates.

Viksit Bharat 2047 and the Road Ahead

Modi called the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047 a 'big dream' that demands collective resolve. He argued that when the world's most populous country commits to such an ambition, the world is compelled to take notice. He also urged citizens to champion Make in India, Swadeshi, and Vocal for Local initiatives, framing domestic self-reliance as central to India's global rise. The Prime Minister additionally expressed solidarity with families affected by recent floods, calling for unity and collective effort in the face of natural disasters.