Focus on youth, technology, agriculture, economy, clean energy. On India’s 80th Independence Day marked on 15th August 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his 13th consecutive Independence Day address since his first in 2014 Ahead of his national address. This is the first time that the National Song “Vande Mataram” was played and sung on Independence Day, followed by the National Anthem. Addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort, Modi assured Gen Z and Gen Alpha that one of the biggest goals to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047 to mark India’s 100th year of Independence is to ensure they are the greatest beneficiaries. He responded to concerns and protests as recently seen in Delhi and across the country. Prime Minister Modi made several promises to the 1.4 billion Indians while asking their support to hasten development by 2047.

Modi announced setting up a network for free online coaching to students by bringing together digital public infrastructure, teachers, educators. Free online coaching for various examinations, 10 million youths to be trained in Artificial Intelligence by 2027. Prime Minister Modi said 33% women's reservation 'need of the hour' and appealed to all political parties to support and even take credit for it. Modi announced "Saptdhara" or seven streams of strength and reforms for Viksit Bharat. India must harness its potential in agriculture and food processing, technology and innovation, Gati Shakti, defence, the green and blue economy, and soft power. He said India will set up five to eight semiconductor plants in next seven-eight years. He set India’s goal 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047. Modi assured rescue and rehabilitation of natural calamity victims such as floods.

5,000 guests were invited from diverse backgrounds including beneficiaries of various government schemes, women entrepreneurs, volunteers, farmers, artisans, sanitation workers, students, innovators, scientists, start-up founders, interns and other top-performing citizens. Over 1,500 people from different states and Union territories, dressed in traditional attire, also attended the ceremony. The conventional VIP-centric nomenclature was changed with enclosures named after major Indian lakes such as Chilika, Loktak, Pangong Tso, Vembanad, Wular, Pulicat and Hussain Sagar, to highlight water conservation. In nationwide celebrations, military and security force bands will perform at 343 locations. Delhi, the capital, is on high alert, with more than 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed across the city to maintain law and order, while a multi-layered security grid is in place around the Red Fort.