New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a series of initiatives focusing on youth, technology, education, sports, civil defence, semiconductor manufacturing and nuclear energy while addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day.

AI training for 1 crore youth

PM Modi announced a nationwide programme to provide AI skill training to 1 crore youth over the next year, aiming to equip young Indians to take a leading role in the field of artificial intelligence.

Free online coaching

The Prime Minister also announced plans to provide free online coaching for various competitive examinations, saying it would reduce the financial burden of expensive coaching classes on poor and middle-class families.

Civil defence network

PM Modi said the government would build a large, modern civil defence volunteer network, equipped with modern training and systems to respond to contemporary emergencies and crises.

Nationwide sports talent hunt

A nationwide talent hunt will be launched for children aged 5 to 15 to identify and train promising athletes. PM Modi said India aims to increase its participation across Olympic events and is also a strong contender to host the 2036 Olympics.

Semiconductor push

Highlighting the importance of chips in the modern economy, the Prime Minister said India is moving towards greater self-reliance in semiconductor manufacturing, with more facilities expected to begin operations in the coming years.

Nuclear energy expansion

PM Modi said India is targeting 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 and plans to commission five new nuclear reactors within this decade as part of efforts to strengthen long-term energy security.