On August 15, 2025, India commemorated its 79th Independence Day with significant announcements and reflections on national progress.
Prime Minister's Independence Day Address:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the longest Independence Day speech in India's history, spanning 103 minutes, from the ramparts of the Red Fort. During his address, he unveiled several key initiatives:
- 'Mission Sudarshan Chakra': A multi-layered indigenous defense initiative aimed at protecting India's strategic, civilian, and religious sites from enemy attacks, emphasizing self-reliance in critical defense technology.
- Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana: Launched with an outlay of ā¹1 Lakh Crore, this scheme targets the creation of 3.5 crore jobs.
- GST Overhaul: Announced as a "Diwali Gift," this reform aims to reduce the prices of daily-use commodities across the country.
- Data Quality Standards: PM Modi stressed India's commitment to setting global standards in data quality.
- Operation Sindoor: The Prime Minister lauded the armed forces' efforts in 'Operation Sindoor' and issued a stern warning against nuclear blackmail, asserting India's "new normal" of not differentiating between terrorists and those who nurture terrorism.
- 'Made in India' Chips: A pledge was made for India to produce 'Made in India' chips by the end of 2025.
President Droupadi Murmu's Address:
On the eve of Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu also highlighted several achievements and aspirations. She praised 'Operation Sindoor' as an example of humanity's fight against terrorism. The President stated India's ambition to become a global AI hub by 2047. She also underscored India's robust economic growth, citing a 6.5% GDP growth rate, controlled inflation, and rising exports. Furthermore, she noted the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme to cover all senior citizens aged 70 and above, and the completion of the rail link in the Kashmir valley.
Awards and Recognitions:
A total of 1,090 personnel were awarded Gallantry and Service Medals on Independence Day 2025, including 233 Gallantry Medals, 99 President's Medal for Distinguished Service, and 758 Meritorious Service Medals. In other recognition, the Bibi Fatima Women's Self-Help Group (SHG) received the UNDP Equator Prize 2025 for their work in biodiversity conservation and sustainable farming.
Other Key Developments:
- Competitive Exam Fee Reform in Bihar: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced a uniform fee of ā¹100 for preliminary exams for all state government jobs, with no fee charged for the main examinations.
- Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA): The 'Drugs-Free India Campaign', a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, successfully completed five years on August 15, 2025.
- Asian Surfing Championships 2025: India hosted the Asian Surfing Championships in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, from August 3 to 12, 2025, securing full quotas for the Asian Games 2026, with Ramesh Budihal winning a bronze medal.
- MY Bharat and SOUL Partnership: MY Bharat, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the School of Ultimate Leadership Foundation (SOUL) to advance youth leadership development across India.
- Bharat Steel 2026: An international conference-cum-exhibition, 'Bharat Steel 2026,' is scheduled for April 16-17, 2026, in New Delhi, aiming to establish India as a global hub for sustainable and technologically advanced steel production.
- Solar Manufacturing Milestone: India achieved a landmark milestone of 100 GW of solar PhotoVoltaic (PV) modules manufacturing capacity under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) scheme.
- Trade Appointment: Zeenat Kureshi became the first Indian woman appointed as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-India Trade Commissioner.
- Sports Bidding: India officially bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with approval from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).