PM Modi urges first-time voters to register at 18, calls voting a constitutional duty
In the 130th episode of Mann Ki Baat aired on January 25, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked young Indians to register as voters the moment they turn 18, describing it as a major life milestone and a constitutional responsibility. He linked the appeal to National Voters’ Day and the run-up to Republic Day, urging wider participation to deepen democratic values.
National Voters’ Day message ahead of Republic Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the January 25, 2026 episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat to press for early voter registration among young citizens. With Republic Day celebrations set for January 26, he framed electoral participation as a way to honour the Constitution and the architects who drafted it, while strengthening India’s democratic foundations.
Modi highlighted that January 25 is observed as National Voters’ Day, and argued that the voter is central to a healthy democracy. He said many people treat turning 18 and becoming eligible to vote as an ordinary step, but insisted it should be recognised as a significant milestone that deserves attention and celebration.
Why he wants registration at 18
The Prime Minister’s appeal was direct: eligible youth should register as soon as they reach voting age. He described voting as both a civic right and a constitutional duty, and suggested that wider youth participation helps sustain democratic values in everyday life, not just during election season.
He also tied the message to a broader theme of citizenship and responsibility, urging people to treat democratic participation as part of nation-building. The framing positioned voter enrolment as a simple but meaningful act that connects individuals to the country’s constitutional journey and its future direction.
Context and what to watch next
The address comes at a time when election authorities and governments routinely push voter-enrolment drives, especially to bring first-time voters onto the rolls. Modi’s emphasis on the symbolism of becoming a voter suggests the government wants civic participation to be seen as aspirational, not procedural.
For young citizens, the practical next step is checking eligibility and completing registration through official Election Commission channels. For parties and campaigners, the key question is whether such repeated appeals translate into measurable increases in new voter registrations, especially in urban centres and among students.
As India marks Republic Day on January 26, 2026, the Prime Minister’s message positions voter participation as a living expression of the Constitution—something citizens demonstrate not only through rights, but also through routine democratic action.