On August 15, PM Modi to equal Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi's record with 11th Independence Day address

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to deliver his eleventh consecutive Independence Day address on Thursday, marking his first speech since securing a record-equalling third consecutive term in office.

With his oath-taking on June 9, Modi matched Jawaharlal Nehru's record of three terms as prime minister. He is now poised to become the third prime minister, after Nehru and Indira Gandhi, to address the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on eleven consecutive August 15 occasions.

Nehru, a leading figure of the Congress party, delivered 17 straight Independence Day speeches, while Indira Gandhi, who served as prime minister from January 1966 to March 1977 and again from January 1980 to October 1984, addressed the nation 16 times, with 11 of those speeches being consecutive.


With this upcoming address, Modi will also surpass former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who delivered ten Independence Day speeches during his tenure.

Modi's first Independence Day speech in 2014 introduced several major initiatives, including Swachh Bharat and Jan Dhan accounts. Since then, his addresses have often featured key announcements and policy highlights.

PM Modi's Independence Day Speeches: The Longest in History

Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds the record for delivering the longest Independence Day speeches, with an average duration of 82 minutes—longer than any other prime minister in India's history.

Former Prime Minister IK Gujral comes closest, with an average of 71 minutes, based on his lone speech in 1997.

Modi's speeches have varied in length, from the shortest at 55 minutes in 2017 to the longest at 94 minutes in 2016.

According to government archives, the duration of Independence Day speeches has increased over the years. Nehru's inaugural address in 1947 lasted only 24 minutes, while Indira Gandhi previously held the record for the longest speech before Modi, delivering a 54-minute address in 1972.