Employment Scheme, Demography Mission, 'Sudarshan Chakra', Jet Engine And More: Eight Key Takeaways From PM Modi's I-Day Speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation from the historic Red Fort on the 79th Independence Day, unveiled a series of initiatives spanning economic reform, defence modernisation, energy security, and employment generation.

GST Reforms and Job Creation

The Prime Minister announced that next-generation GST reforms will be rolled out by Diwali 2025, aimed at lowering the tax burden on essential goods and boosting industry.

Describing the move as a “double Diwali” gift, Modi said the reforms will deliver both consumer relief and business growth.

Alongside, he announced the launch of the Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, a Rs 1 lakh crore nationwide employment programme targeting youth.

Eligible beneficiaries will receive Rs 15,000 per month to support skill development and job creation.

Mission Sudarshan Chakra

Modi also announced Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a fully indigenous defence shield to protect critical sites — from religious and industrial hubs to railway stations — with nationwide deployment targeted by 2035.

The system, designed for precision targeting and rapid threat neutralisation, draws its name from the divine weapon of Lord Krishna and mirrors the Indian Air Force’s moniker for its S-400 missile system, credited with notable success during Operation Sindoor.

Critical Minerals and Energy Independence

Highlighting the strategic role of critical minerals in sectors from energy to defence, Modi launched the National Critical Minerals Mission.

Exploration is underway at more than 1,200 sites to reduce import dependency.

On energy goals, he noted that solar capacity has grown 30-fold in 11 years, while 10 nuclear reactors are already operational. India aims to increase nuclear capacity tenfold by its centenary of independence in 2047.

Indigenous Jet Engine Push

In a pointed signal amid delays in US-supplied GE engines for the Tejas Mk1A fighter jets, Modi said India’s fighter aircraft must run on indigenous engines, calling self-reliance in defence technology vital for national security.

PM Modi Hails RSS on Its Centenary

Marking the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) hundred years of service, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the organisation’s century-long contribution to nation-building.

“This nation is not built merely by forming governments… it is built through the dedicated efforts of millions — sages, scientists, teachers, farmers, youth, soldiers, workers — the efforts of each and every one. It is shaped by individuals as well as institutions,” he said.

Calling the RSS’s journey a “most glorious and golden chapter,” Modi praised its guiding resolve of serving the nation through character-building, noting that over a million swayamsevaks have devoted their lives to the motherland.

He described the RSS as “the world’s largest NGO,” distinguished by service, dedication, organisation, and unmatched discipline. Remembering all swayamsevaks from the Red Fort, he said the country takes pride in this devoted century-long journey, which will continue to inspire generations.

PM Modi Slams Indus Water Treaty as ‘One-Sided’
In one of the strongest public criticisms of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the pact a “one-sided agreement” that has denied Indian farmers their rightful share of river water for decades.

“The rivers originating from India are irrigating the enemy’s fields, while the farmers of my own country remain thirsty… The water that is India’s rightful share belongs solely and entirely to India and to the farmers of India. India will not tolerate this any longer,” he said, linking water security to national security with the declaration, “Now India has decided that the water and blood will not flow together.”

The treaty, signed between India and Pakistan with the World Bank as guarantor, reserves the waters of the eastern rivers largely for Pakistan, with only limited usage rights for India.

Modi’s remarks from the Red Fort underscored a hardening stance on the decades-old pact, framing its revision as essential for both agricultural prosperity and national interest.

Energy Independence as a Pillar of Self-Reliance

Reiterating the link between energy security and national self-reliance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India must achieve energy independence to secure its future.

“We know that we remain dependent on many countries to meet our energy needs. But to build a truly self-reliant India, we must achieve energy independence,” he told the nation from the Red Fort.

Highlighting progress, he noted that in the past 11 years, India’s solar capacity has grown 30-fold, new dams are under construction, and the country is intensifying its focus on nuclear power. Ten nuclear reactors are already operational, and by 2047 — when India marks 100 years of independence — the government aims to expand nuclear capacity tenfold.

Praises armed forces' valour in Operation Sindoor, rejects Pakistan's Nuclear blackmail

PM Modi praised the valour of the Indian armed forces during Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to terror attack by Pakistan-backed terrorists in Pahalgam on 22 April.

He said the Indian armed forces punished the enemy "in ways beyond imagination".

"Destruction inflicted by our armed forces in Pakistan was so widespread, new revelations are being made every day," he added.

He added that India has decided that it will not tolerate nuclear threats anymore, and won't fall for any blackmail.

"Nuclear blackmail [by Pakistan] has been going on for a long time but now India won't tolerate the blackmailing," he added.

"If our enemies persist in such attempts, our armed forces will respond, on their own terms, at a time of their choosing, and by achieving the objectives they set. We are ready to give a befitting reply,” PM Modi said.

The announcements, combining economic relief, employment, strategic autonomy, and technological self-reliance, form what Modi signalled as a roadmap to a Viksit Bharat — a developed India — by 2047.

Also Read: PM Modi Hails RSS For 100 Years Of National Service On Independence Day