On August 15, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked his 12th Independence Day address from the Red Fort with a sweeping roadmap for India’s transformation into a developed nation by 2047. Blending technological ambition, economic expansion, and structural reforms, Modi declared that Bharat would define its own path to global leadership.
Among the headline announcements was India’s first domestically manufactured semiconductor chip, set to be released before the end of the year. Modi framed this milestone as the culmination of a decades-long pursuit, positioning India as a player in a high-stakes industry dominated by global giants.
Energy independence formed another core pillar of his vision. Ten new nuclear reactors are already under construction, with the goal of expanding nuclear power capacity more than tenfold by 2047. This expansion will complement large-scale investments in solar, hydrogen, and deepwater ocean energy exploration, reducing fossil fuel reliance and strengthening energy security.
In a major economic move, Modi announced “next-generation” GST reforms to be implemented as a Diwali gift for the nation. These changes will lower taxes on essential goods, simplify compliance for small businesses, and provide relief to street vendors and everyday consumers.
Youth employment also received a substantial boost with the new Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana. This $12 billion program will provide $180 per month to newly employed young people, targeting 30 million beneficiaries. Modi called it a bridge from “Independent India” to “Prosperous India.”
To accelerate economic growth toward the ambitious $10 trillion mark by 2047, a specialized reform task force will streamline regulations, cut bureaucratic delays, and remove barriers to investment.
The Prime Minister also challenged India’s scientific community to design and produce indigenous jet engines, likening the mission to the nation’s rapid COVID-19 vaccine rollout and UPI’s fintech success. He emphasized that developing advanced aviation technology was not only a matter of innovation but of national pride.
Closing his address, Modi underscored that India’s journey to 2047 would be powered by its own resolve, its talent pool, and its readiness to take bold strides in shaping a secure, prosperous, and technologically advanced future.
