In Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi urges eligible youth to register as voters
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the Jan 25 episode of Mann Ki Baat to call on young Indians to register as voters as soon as they turn 18. Linking the appeal to civic duty and democratic participation, he emphasised that voting strengthens the country’s institutions. The message came as India marked National Voters’ Day ahead of Republic Day celebrations.
The key message
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in the 130th episode of Mann Ki Baat aired on Sunday, 25 January 2026, urged eligible young Indians to register as voters when they turn 18. He framed voter registration and participation as a constitutional responsibility and an important way to strengthen India’s democratic foundations.
The appeal was positioned as a direct call to first-time voters and young citizens who may be eligible but not yet enrolled. The prime minister emphasised that democracy becomes stronger when participation widens, and that voting is one of the most meaningful ways to shape public life.
Why the timing stands out
The episode coincided with National Voters’ Day and came just ahead of India’s 76th Republic Day. The alignment added weight to the message, as institutions and public campaigns often use this period to focus on civic engagement, enrolment drives and awareness about electoral processes.
Mann Ki Baat has often been used to highlight public initiatives and invite citizen participation. This time, the centre of the address was political participation in its broadest sense—registration, awareness and the act of voting—rather than a specific election.
What it means for young voters
For newly eligible citizens, voter registration is the first administrative step that enables participation in elections at multiple levels. The government and election machinery periodically run outreach programmes, but public messaging from national leaders can amplify the urgency to register early and keep details updated.
The prime minister’s remarks are likely to be echoed by local drives in schools, colleges and community centres, particularly around Republic Day and National Voters’ Day. The underlying idea is to reduce gaps in enrolment and encourage consistent participation among first-time voters.