Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday unveiled a series of initiatives covering artificial intelligence, education, sports, civil defence, semiconductor manufacturing and nuclear energy during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort.
The announcements focused on expanding opportunities for young people, strengthening India’s technological capabilities and improving preparedness for emerging security and emergency challenges.
AI training programme for 1 crore youth
Modi announced a nationwide programme to provide AI-related skills to one crore young people over the next year. The initiative, he said, is aimed at equipping India’s youth with capabilities that can help them compete and lead in the rapidly expanding field of artificial intelligence.
Free online coaching for competitive exams
The Prime Minister also announced a free online coaching system for students preparing for competitive examinations. He said the initiative would help reduce the financial pressure on families that spend heavily on private coaching. The proposed platform will bring together digital infrastructure, teachers, and learning resources to create a nationwide coaching network. Modi urged families to make use of the system, saying it could reduce expenditure while allowing students to prepare from home.
New civil defence network
Addressing the country’s preparedness for modern emergencies, Modi announced plans to establish a large-scale Civil Defence volunteer network.The proposed force will receive training in modern systems and emergency response methods to help communities deal with contemporary crises. The initiative is intended to strengthen civilian preparedness and response capabilities.
Nationwide sports talent search
Modi announced a nationwide talent identification programme for children between five and 15 years of age as part of efforts to expand India’s pool of elite athletes.
He said India is seeking to improve its participation across Olympic disciplines and is preparing to host the 2036 Olympics. While the country’s performance in international sport has improved, Modi noted that India still has limited participation in several Olympic events.
Under the proposed programme, sporting talent from different parts of the country will be identified and provided specialised training with the aim of developing athletes capable of competing at the highest international level.
Push to expand semiconductor production
The Prime Minister highlighted semiconductors as a critical component of modern industries, including electronics, healthcare and transportation.
He said India has already established three major semiconductor facilities, with production reportedly beginning for export markets. According to Modi, another five to eight plants are expected to become operational over the next seven to eight years.
The expansion is part of the government’s broader effort to reduce dependence on imports and build domestic capabilities in advanced technology manufacturing.
Nuclear power target of 100 GW by 2047
Modi also set an ambitious target for India’s nuclear energy sector, announcing a goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
He said nuclear energy would play an important role in meeting the country’s long-term energy requirements and referred to the recently passed ‘Peace Act’ as part of the policy framework for the sector.
The government also aims to commission five new nuclear reactors during the current decade. Modi further said India had achieved a significant milestone in fast breeder nuclear technology this year, describing it as an important step towards greater self-reliance in nuclear fuel and energy production.