New Delhi: India’s last 12 years have been a journey from shortages to building Viksit Bharat, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said while addressing a media organisation event in New Delhi on July 4, 2026. He highlighted the government’s achievements in defence, manufacturing, digital technology, infrastructure and economic reforms, saying these changes have strengthened India’s global position.
Details of India Last 12 Years
Rajnath Singh said India has moved from self-reliance to self-confidence over the last 12 years. He stated that the government’s policies have laid a strong foundation for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat.
He said the first term of the government focused on solving long-standing challenges, the second term turned aspirations into achievements, and the third term aims to accelerate the country’s development journey.
India Last 12 Years: World Listens More Closely to India’s Voice
The Defence Minister said India’s position on global issues now receives greater attention across the world. According to him, India’s growing economic strength, diplomatic influence and policy decisions have increased global confidence in the country. He also said the success of the Make in India initiative has contributed to this transformation.
Defence Production and Exports Reach Record Levels
Rajnath Singh said India’s annual defence production reached an all-time high of ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26. He also noted that defence exports increased from ₹686 crore in FY 2013-14 to a record of more than ₹38,000 crore, showing strong international confidence in Indian-made defence products.
India Last 12 Years: Make in India Boosts Manufacturing
The minister said the Make in India initiative has expanded manufacturing in sectors such as mobile phones, automobiles, locomotives and defence equipment. He added that India’s semiconductor mission has also made progress, with domestically produced semiconductor chips becoming a reality through new semiconductor manufacturing facilities.
India Last 12 Years: Digital India and Technology Growth
Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s digital transformation, saying that 22.35 billion UPI transactions worth around ₹29 lakh crore were recorded in April. He also pointed to the nationwide rollout of indigenous 5G technology and ongoing efforts to develop 6G, calling them important milestones in India’s technology journey.
Welfare Reforms and Governance
The Defence Minister said the government improved welfare delivery through the JAM Trinity—Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar and Mobile connectivity.
He said this system enabled direct transfer of around ₹51 lakh crore into beneficiaries’ bank accounts while helping prevent leakages worth about ₹4.3 lakh crore.
India Last 12 Years: GST and Cooperative Federalism
Rajnath Singh said the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has evolved into an example of cooperative federalism. He stated that better coordination between the Centre and the states has strengthened the country’s tax system despite initial concerns.
India Last 12 Years: Jammu and Kashmir, Internal Security and Startups
The Defence Minister said the abrogation of Article 370 and efforts to reduce Naxalism reflect the government’s approach to resolving long-standing national issues. He also said India has become the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with the number of startups increasing from about 500 in 2014 to more than 2 lakh, while unicorns have grown from 4 to over 125.
Media’s Role in Nation Building
Rajnath Singh said defence and national security are matters of national responsibility. He urged the media to report such issues with accuracy, objectivity and impartiality, saying responsible journalism plays an important role in strengthening democracy.
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