Paper: GS – II, Subject: Governance, Topic: Government Policies, Issue: PM Modi’s 79th Independence Day Speech 2025.
Context:
On 15 August 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered India’s longest-ever Independence Day address from the Red Fort, speaking for 103 minutes to mark the nation’s 79th Independence Day.
- He presented a comprehensive vision for “Viksit Bharat 2047”, focused on self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta), innovation, and people empowerment.
- From Operation Sindoor to Next-Generation GST Reforms, from the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana to Mission Sudarshan Chakra, the Prime Minister articulated a roadmap that imagines India as a $10 trillion economy by 2047-globally competitive, socially inclusive, and strategically independent.
GST Reform: Streamlining Tax Slabs: The central government is proposing a significant overhaul of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure. The plan involves reducing the number of tax slabs, primarily by eliminating the 12% and 28% brackets.
Key Takeaways:
Key Changes:
- Slab Reduction: The 12% and 28% GST slabs will be removed.
- Rate Adjustments: Approximately 99% of items currently in the 12% slab will be moved to the 5% rate.
- Around 90% of goods and services in the 28% bracket will be shifted to 18%.
- Concessional and Sin Rates: A lower concessional rate (below 1%) and a higher “sin rate” of 40% will be applied to a limited number of items (5-7 each).
- No Additional Cess: There will be no additional cess levied on top of the GST rates.
Objectives:
- Reduce Tax Burden: The reforms aim to ease the tax burden on the common person.
- Increase Consumption: Lower rates are expected to boost consumption.
- Reduce Evasion: Simplified tax structure may lead to reduced tax evasion.
- Widen Tax Net: The reforms are intended to broaden the tax base.
- Increase Revenue: Ultimately, the goal is to increase overall revenue by the end of the financial year.
Semiconductor Manufacturing: “Made-in-India” Chips: Prime Minister Modi announced that “Made-in-India” semiconductor chips are expected to be available by the end of 2025. This initiative is part of a broader effort to boost domestic technology manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
Key Points:
- Revival of Semiconductor Plans: The idea of having a semiconductor factory in India was conceived 50-60 years ago but remained stagnant until recently.
- Mission Mode: The government is now working on the semiconductor industry in “mission mode.”
- Chip Plants: Six chip plants are currently under construction, and four more have received approval.
- Financial Incentives: The Union Cabinet has approved financial incentives for the construction of 10 semiconductor-related factories.
- New Plants: Four new semiconductor assembly and testing plants have been approved, with a total financial outlay of Rs 4,594 crore. Two of these plants will be located in Odisha, and one each in Punjab and Andhra Pradesh.
Indigenous Air Defense System: “Sudarshan Chakra”:
- Prime Minister Modi announced the development of an indigenous air defense system, named “Sudarshan Chakra,” to be completed by 2035. This system aims to provide comprehensive security for strategic and civilian areas.
Key Points:
- Comprehensive Security: The air defense system will protect strategic and civilian areas, including hospitals, railways, and centers of faith.
- Technological Superiority: The system should be technologically superior to any potential threats.
- Self-Reliance: The initiative emphasizes self-reliance in defense and reduces dependence on foreign suppliers.
- Operation Sindoor: The Prime Minister Highlighted Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of India’s strategic autonomy and self-reliance in defense.
Indigenous Air defence System: Objectives and Challenges:
Conclusion:
PM Modi’s 79th Independence Day speech was not just a celebration of India’s past achievements but a strategic vision for the next two decades. With a focus on self-reliance, technological innovation, cultural pride, and citizen empowerment, the roadmap for Viksit Bharat 2047 envisions a strong, confident, and globally competitive India.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
