When Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes the ramparts of the Red Fort this Independence Day, he will step into a record that has had only one name beside it for...
**Main Update
** Modi is set to deliver his 13th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort, matching a milestone reached by only one other PM.
**Historical Context
** Jawaharlal Nehru is widely recorded as the first and only other PM to have delivered 13 or more consecutive Independence Day speeches.
**Consecutive Run
** Modi has addressed the nation from the Red Fort every August 15 since assuming office in 2014.
**Significance
** The Independence Day speech has traditionally been used by the PM to outline national priorities and policy direction.
**Current Status
** The milestone is based on the supplied headline; no additional official statement or detailed confirmation was included in the source material.
**What Next
** The focus will now shift to whether Modi can extend the streak beyond 13 in the coming years.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes the ramparts of the Red Fort this Independence Day, he will step into a record that has had only one name beside it for decades. The 2026 address will be his 13th straight Independence Day speech — a mark that places him behind only Jawaharlal Nehru in India's history.
A record that began in 2014
Modi first spoke from the Red Fort on 15 August 2014, weeks after becoming prime minister. Every year since then has followed the same ritual. In 2026, that ritual becomes a milestone.
Why the 13th address is being watched closely
Consecutive speeches are more than just tradition. In India, the Independence Day address is one of the rare moments when the PM speaks directly to
