India’s 79th Independence Day 2025 Highlights: PM Modi announces new GST reforms by Diwali; to reduce tax on daily-use items

Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address, stressing the government’s achievements over the past 11 years, its present strength, and future strategies. Key initiatives include Operation Sindoor against terrorism, ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’ for fortified national security by 2035, and the ‘High-Powered Demography Mission’ to prevent infiltration.

PM Modi also announced the Rs 1 lakh crore ‘Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana’ to support first-time private sector employees and incentivise job creation, benefiting around 3.5 crore people. Next Gen GST reforms, set for Diwali, aim to aid small businesses and lower essential commodity prices. Modi also called for self-reliance in sectors like nuclear energy, space, critical minerals, and jet engines, while paying tribute to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s century-long contributions to nation-building.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta addressed the crowd at the 79th Independence Day celebrations held at Chhatrasal Stadium in New Delhi on Friday. Despite the rain, contingents from various security forces, school bands, and student groups participated enthusiastically, adding color and energy to the state function.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of GP Sippy’s legendary film Sholay, the Maharashtra Postal Circle unveiled two specially designed picture postcards and a presenter’s pack at Mumbai’s GPO, featuring an exclusive golden cancellation. The event commemorated the film’s original release on August 15, 1975, and also honored India’s 79th Independence Day. In keeping with the Government of India’s ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, attendees proudly held the National Flag, blending cinematic nostalgia with patriotic fervor.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party MP Rahul Gandhi were notably absent from the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on Friday, prompting speculation over their absence from the national event. Instead, they attended a flag hoisting ceremony at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi to mark the occasion.

PM Modi hinted at New Delhi's resolve to reduce dependence on foreign technologies for military platforms as he called for the development of jet engines within the country for India's fighter aircraft.

Though the prime minister did not elaborate on the air-defence system named "Sudarshan Chakra", experts said it could be on the lines of Israel's Iron Dome all-weather air-defence system, known as a very effective missile shield. (PTI)

India is moving ahead to become self-sufficient in critical minerals, and exploration campaigns are underway at more than 1,200 locations, Prime Narendra Modi said on Friday.

Addressing the nation on the 79th Independence Day, PM said today the whole world has become very cautious about critical minerals. People have started understanding its potential very well.

What did not receive much attention till yesterday is on the centre stage today. Self-reliance in critical minerals is very essential for India as well, Modi said.

Critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, rare earth and graphite have diverse applications ranging from electronic chips and home appliances to electric vehicles and solar panels.

PM Modi on Friday said no generation in the country should forget how democracy was murdered, throttled, and backstabbed during the Emergency.

"It has been 50 years of Emergency. No generation in the country should forget this sin of murdering the Constitution. They should not forget the sinners who murdered the Constitution. We should never forget how democracy was murdered, throttled, and backstabbed during the Emergency," he said.

PM Modi on Friday warned people of of a pre-meditated conspiracy to change the country's demography through illegal infiltration and said no nation can tolerate intruders, as he announced a high-powered demographic mission to tackle the problem.

In his address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on India's 79th Independence Day, he said the country's forefathers made the supreme sacrifice to win freedom for Indians and it is the duty of its citizens to not accept such activities.

"I wish to warn the country about a concern that is emerging as a crisis. As part of a premeditated conspiracy, the country's demography is being changed. Seeds of a new crisis are being sown," Modi said.

"These ghuspaithiyas (infiltrators) are snatching the bread and butter of our youth. These ghuspaithiyas are targeting our country's daughters and sisters. This will not be tolerated. These ghuspaithiyas are befooling innocent tribals and capturing their forest land. This country will not tolerate this," he said. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday delivered a 103-minute Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the longest by any prime minister in India's history.

Modi broke his own 98-minute record from the 78th Independence Day last year.

His longest Independence Day speech before 2024 was 96 minutes in 2016 while his shortest speech was in 2017 when he spoke for 56 minutes.

On India's 79th Independence Day, Modi also broke Indira Gandhi's record by delivering 12 consecutive speeches from Red Fort to stand next only to Jawaharlal Nehru who delivered 17 Independence Day addresses in a row.

PM Modi said, "India to launch Mission Sudarshan Chakra to create powerful weapon system to thwart any attempt by enemies to attack us." He added, "All public places will be covered by expanded nationwide security shield by 2035."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "We have chosen the path of Lord Krishna's Sudarshan Chakra. India is launching 'Sudarshan Chakra Mission'... a powerful weapon system that will not only neutralise the enemy's attack but also strike back."

"Government to set up high-powered demographic mission to deal with challenge of demographic change due to infiltration," PM Modi said at Red Fort.

PM Modi said, "Regions earlier known for naxalism now producing world-class athletes." He added, "Areas earlier known as 'red corridors' of Naxalism have now become green corridors of development."

PM Modi says infiltrators are snatching the rights of our citizens, "our country will not tolerate this". "No country in the world will ever surrender in the hands of infiltrators," he added

PM Modi mentions Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in his I-Day speech, says, 100 years ago, an organisation--Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-- was born, "it will continue to inspire us."

PM Modi said, "In the last 11 years, we have worked tirelessly for national security. We have been successful in bringing change."

PM Modi says diversity should be celebrated, advocates equal importance to every language. "We should take pride in different languages spoken in the country."

PM Modi expresses concern over problem of obesity rising in the country and urges people to ficus on fitness. "Obesity is a rising concern in the country. We should aim at reducing it."

PM Modi said, "Farmers, livestock keepers, and fishermen are our top priorities. Any policy that threatens their interests, Modi is standing like a wall against it. India will never compromise when it comes to protecting the interests of our farmers."

PM Modi said, "Farmers contribute a lot to our economy, they have made India top producer of several commodities." He also said, "Two crore women have become 'lakhpati didis' in no time, several are seated in front of me at Red Fort."

Govt is launching today, August 15, Rs 1 lakh crore Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana, under which the government will provide Rs 15,000 to youths getting jobs in private companies. It is expected to provide jobs to about 3.5 crore youth, says PM Modi

PM Modi announced the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana, set to be implemented from today itself. Under this scheme, all first-time job seekers will get Rs 15,000 from the Centre after they land job in the private sector. The government will also give incentives to companies for creating more jobs for freshers.

PM Modi announces next generation GST reforms by Diwali, to reduce tax on daily-use items

PM Modi said, "The government will bring Next Generation GST reforms, which will bring down tax burden on the common man. It will be a Diwali gift for you. The new GST reforms will bring down the taxes for daily-use items for all Indians."

PM Modi said, "Need of hour to take a resolve for building a 'samarth' (strong) Bharat, just like our freedom fighters had envisioned 'free India." He added, "Want our traders, shopkeepers to display boards for 'Swadeshi' products"

"We have repealed old, irrelevant laws, reformed 280 laws by keeping our focus on people's good," PM Modi says.

Narendra Modi says: "... Viksit Bharat ka aadhar bhi hai Aatmanirbhar Bharat... If someone becomes too dependent on others, the very question of freedom starts to fade... Aatmanirbhar is not limited merely to imports, exports, rupees, pounds, or dollars. Its meaning is far broader. Aatmanirbhar is directly connected to our strength..."

PM Modi said that he has full faith in the youth of the country to make India a developed nation by 2047. He further said, "Let us explore ways to develop our own fertilisers that our farmers need."

"Daam kam, par dum zyaada," says Modi which he explained as our products should be cheap in price, but should have high in quality.

During his speech, PM Modi urged India's youths to develop the country's own social media platforms. He further called for development of indigenous jet engines for 'Made in India' fighter jets.