At over 100 minutes, PM Modi delivers his longest-ever Independence Day speech in 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday delivered his longest-ever Independence Day speech from the ramparts of Red Fort as he addressed the nation for the 12th time.

The Prime Minister's speech lasted over 100 minutes for the first time since 2014, making it the longest ever address.

In 2024, PM Modi had broken his own record when he addressed the nation for nearly 98 minutes.

Before that, his record was a 96-minute speech in 2016.

PM Modi's Independence Day speeches typically average around 82 minutes, making him the longest-speaking Prime Minister in Indian history for these addresses.

His shortest Independence Day speech was in 2017 at 56 minutes.

A brief list of Modi's notably long Independence Day speeches:

2025: 103 minutes (longest ever by an Indian PM)

2024: 98 minutes

2016: 96 minutes (previous personal best)

2015: 88 minutes

2019: 92 minutes

2020: 90 minutes

2021: 88 minutes

During his speech, the Prime Minister made several key announcements for the middle class, poor, farmers and youth. In a strong atmanirbharta pitch, PM Modi outlined several areas where India should be become self-reliant in the coming years.

He also announced that the GST reforms will be rolled out this Diwali. PM Modi said, "This Diwali, I am going to give you a 'double Diwali' gift. A major announcement is coming for the people of the country. Over the past eight years, we implemented a major GST reform that significantly reduced the tax burden across the nation. Now, after eight years, the time has come to review it. We have formed a high-powered committee to begin this review process and have held consultations with the states as well. We are now bringing in next-generation GST reforms. This will become a Diwali gift for the nation."