80th Independence Day: PM announces AI skilling for 1 crore youth, 100 GW nuclear goal and 'Sapt Dhara'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation from the Red Fort on India's 80th Independence Day on 15 August 2026, announced AI skilling for one crore youth in a year, a 100 GW nuclear power target by 2047 and a new goal of 6 crore Lakhpati Didis.
Summary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on 15 August 2026, India's 80th Independence Day, and noted that Vande Mataram was resonating from the Red Fort on 15 August for the first time since Independence, in the year marking 150 years of the National Song. Among his announcements: one crore youth to be trained in AI skills over the next year, free online coaching for competitive examinations, a nationwide sports talent hunt for children aged 5 to 15, and a vibrant civil defence network. The Prime Minister set a target of 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, with five new nuclear reactors planned within this decade, and a new goal of 6 crore Lakhpati Didis after the 3 crore target was surpassed. He said three semiconductor plants have been initiated and five to eight more are expected in the next seven to eight years. He framed India's next leap around 'Sapt Dhara', seven streams of strength: manufacturing, agriculture and food production, technology and innovation, Gati Shakti, defence, the green and blue economy, and soft power.
Key facts
- Occasion
- 80th Independence Day, Red Fort, 15 August 2026
- AI skilling
- 1 crore youth in one year
- Nuclear
- 100 GW by 2047; 5 new reactors this decade
- Lakhpati Didi
- 3 crore surpassed; new target 6 crore
- Sports talent hunt
- Children aged 5â15
- Semiconductors
- 3 plants initiated; 5â8 more in 7â8 years
- Other
- Free online coaching; civil defence network
- Sapt Dhara
- Manufacturing, agriculture, tech & innovation, Gati Shakti, defence, green & blue economy, soft power
Practice MCQs 5 questions
In his 80th Independence Day address on 15 August 2026, PM Modi announced AI-skills training for how many youth over the next one year?
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Correct answer: B â 1 crore
The Prime Minister announced that one crore youth would be trained in AI skills over the next one year.
What nuclear power capacity target for 2047 did PM Modi mention in his Independence Day address of 15 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D â 100 GW
The Prime Minister said India is working towards 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, with five new reactors planned within this decade.
Consider the following statements about PM Modi's address on 15 August 2026: 1. The PM said Vande Mataram was resonating from the Red Fort on 15 August for the first time since Independence. 2. The PM said 20 more semiconductor plants will be set up by 2030. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A â 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. On semiconductors, the PM said three plants have been initiated and five to eight more are expected in the next seven to eight years.
What new target for 'Lakhpati Didis' did the Prime Minister announce on 15 August 2026?
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Correct answer: C â 6 crore
After the earlier target of 3 crore Lakhpati Didis was surpassed, the PM set a new goal of 6 crore.
The nationwide sports talent hunt announced by the Prime Minister on 15 August 2026 targets children of which age group?
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Correct answer: A â 5 to 15 years
The talent hunt will be run across villages, cities and schools to identify sporting talent among children aged 5 to 15, with an eye on the 2036 Olympics.