PM Modi urges youth to embrace voting as a privilege on National Voters’ Day

India celebrated the 16th National Voters’ Day on January 25, 2026, with the nation coming together to honour the power and responsibility of every citizen’s vote. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm greetings to the country, urging youth to see voting as both a privilege and a solemn duty. Leaders across political and civic institutions, along with volunteers from the MY Bharat campaign, joined in the celebrations, reinforcing the message that active participation is the soul of democracy.

National Voters’ Day is observed every year on January 25 to mark the founding of the Election Commission of India in 1950, the body responsible for conducting free and fair elections across the country. The day was formally introduced in 2011 by then President Pratibha Patil to encourage voter registration, especially among first-time voters turning 18, and to strengthen democratic participation nationwide. The date also precedes Republic Day, symbolically linking voter engagement with the principles of India’s Constitution.

In his letter to MY Bharat volunteers and young citizens, Prime Minister Modi described becoming a voter as an occasion for celebration and urged families, schools, and communities to recognise first-time voters. He said, “To be a voter is the greatest privilege and responsibility in a democracy. Voting is a sacred constitutional right and a mark of participation in Bharat’s future. The voter is the Bhagya Vidhata of our development journey. That indelible ink on a finger is a badge of honour that ensures our democracy remains vibrant and purposeful.” During his Mann Ki Baat address, he emphasised that every voter shapes the destiny of the nation and called on youth to exercise their franchise with pride and responsibility.

Under the theme “MY Bharat, MY Vote,” the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and MY Bharat volunteers organised voter awareness drives, padyatras, and initiatives like Sundays On Cycle across states, Union Territories, and districts, celebrating first-time voters and promoting ethical electoral participation. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya , said these efforts would turn the journey of first-time voters into a national celebration under the slogan “First Vote. First Responsibility. First Pride.” Minister of State Raksha Nikhil Khadse also engaged with youth volunteers, encouraging inclusive participation and the importance of civic responsibility.

Across the country, activities included distributing voter ID cards to newly registered voters, educational programmes in schools and colleges, pledges to vote responsibly, and recognition of election officials who have strengthened the electoral process. These initiatives aim to foster a culture of active citizenship, ensuring that every eligible voter not only registers but also casts their vote thoughtfully and ethically, strengthening the foundations of India’s democracy for years to come.