Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 26 July celebrated the achievements of India's young talent across science, space, and competitive academics during the 136th episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', declaring he is 'very proud of the youth power of the country.' The address spotlighted milestones ranging from the private-sector rocket launch Vikram-1 to a sweep of gold medals at international Science Olympiads.

Vikram-1 Launch: A Historic First for Private Space

Modi opened his tribute to India's youth by citing the Vikram-1 rocket launch, which took place the previous Sunday. 'Last Sunday's successful launch of Vikram-1 has filled the hearts of every Indian with pride,' he said. 'This is the first rocket development by the private sector of Viksit Bharat.' The Prime Minister credited the achievement to young innovators who, he said, 'showed extraordinary skill, passion and patience.' He noted that the space sector was historically closed to private players, and that his government's decision to open it up had now produced visible results on the world stage.

Science Olympiad Sweep: Gold Across Physics, Chemistry, and More

Modi highlighted a remarkable run by Indian students at this month's international Science Olympiads. In the Physics Olympiad, all five Indian participants won gold medals, earning India the first rank overall. He noted that over the past decade, Indian students have consistently won either gold or silver at the Physics Olympiad — underscoring a sustained, not merely one-off, excellence. In the Chemistry Olympiad, every participating Indian student also returned with a gold medal. 'This has been the best performance so far,' Modi said. In the Biology Olympiad, the Indian contingent won multiple medals, including a gold, while in the Mathematics Olympiad, students secured two gold and four silver medals.

A Decade of Consistent Excellence

Notably, Modi's remarks placed individual victories within a longer arc of achievement. The consistent Olympiad performance over ten years reflects a deepening pipeline of STEM talent — one that predates, but has arguably been reinforced by, policy pushes such as the National Education Policy and increased investment in Atal Tinkering Labs. This comes amid a broader government narrative linking youth empowerment to India's ambition of becoming a developed nation, or Viksit Bharat, by 2047.

What Modi Said on Future Potential

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that India's youth would continue to distinguish themselves in Olympiads and hackathons. He framed the opening of the space sector as a direct outcome of keeping youth interests at the centre of policy — an argument he is likely to repeat as more private space ventures take shape. 'Today, the world is watching its result,' he said, referring to the Vikram-1 success.

With international Science Olympiad results and a landmark private rocket launch arriving in the same month, July 2025 may come to be remembered as a signal moment for India's science-and-technology generation.