Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on India’s 80th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, nuclear energy, education, sports and civil defence, while setting new targets for technology-led and women-led development.
A key announcement was a nationwide programme to train one crore youth in AI skills over the next year. Highlighting the rapid expansion of AI and its growing influence across sectors, the Prime Minister said the initiative would equip India’s young population with the skills needed to lead in the emerging AI-driven global economy.
The announcement comes as AI adoption accelerates across industries, increasing demand for skilled professionals capable of developing, deploying and working alongside AI technologies. By focusing on large-scale skilling, the government aims to strengthen India's talent pool and position its workforce to take advantage of opportunities emerging from the AI revolution.
Free AI-enabled online coaching
The Prime Minister also announced free online coaching for young people preparing for various examinations. He said Digital Public Infrastructure, along with India's pool of teachers and talent, would be brought together to create a comprehensive network providing free coaching to youth.
The initiative is expected to leverage India's digital infrastructure to expand access to learning resources and reduce the financial burden of coaching programmes, particularly for students from poor and middle-class families.
AI, semiconductors and energy security
Linking India's technological ambitions with energy and infrastructure requirements, Modi highlighted the growing power needs of AI, semiconductor manufacturing and data centres. He underlined the importance of energy security as India expands its digital and technology capabilities.
The Prime Minister set a target of 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, while announcing plans to begin work on five new nuclear reactors within the current decade. He also pointed to India's progress in fast breeder nuclear technology as an important milestone towards greater self-reliance in nuclear fuel.
On semiconductors, Modi said three semiconductor plants had already commenced production and that output from these facilities had begun to be exported. He further announced plans for another five to eight semiconductor plants over the next seven to eight years, positioning semiconductor manufacturing as a key pillar of India's journey towards Viksit Bharat.
Building AI-ready talent and technology infrastructure
The announcements collectively underline the government's focus on developing an ecosystem spanning AI talent, digital infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing and energy capacity. As AI applications expand and data-centre requirements increase, access to computing infrastructure, advanced chips and reliable energy is becoming increasingly important for countries seeking technological competitiveness.
Beyond technology, the Prime Minister announced a nationwide sports talent hunt for children aged five to 15, with specialised training for promising athletes, as well as plans to create a modern Civil Defence network capable of responding to threats affecting critical infrastructure such as refineries, banks, data centres and factories.
He also announced an expanded target of six crore Lakhpati Didis, building on the earlier target of three crore, with the aim of strengthening women's participation in and contribution to the rural economy.
The announcements made from the Red Fort place AI and other emerging technologies within a broader national development agenda, with skills, digital infrastructure, semiconductor capabilities and energy security identified as important foundations for India's ambitions over the coming decades.
