‘Trust, progress and welfare’: PM Modi celebrates 12 years in office, highlights big policy moves

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday marked 12 years in office. He described the period as one dedicated to "trust, development and public welfare" while highlighting key achievements of his government across sectors including infrastructure, welfare, healthcare, women’s empowerment and national security.

PM Modi first took office in May 2014 and began his third consecutive term on June 9, 2024, following the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. With 12 uninterrupted years as Prime Minister, he has become the longest continuously serving holder of the office in India's political history.

In a post shared on social media platform X, PM Modi said that the government's journey over the past 12 years had been guided by the principle of "Nation First" and focused on empowering youth, women and farmers while strengthening India's global standing.

“The past 12 years of our government have been dedicated to trust, development and public welfare. With the blessings of 140 crore Indians and the spirit of Nation First, we have left no stone unturned in empowering our youth, women and farmer brothers and sisters,” he said.

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Focus on welfare and women empowerment

The PM highlighted a series of welfare initiatives aimed at improving the lives of economically weaker sections. According to the government, free food grains are being provided every month to more than 81 crore beneficiaries.

He also pointed to the construction of over four crore houses under the PM Awas scheme, distribution of more than 10.5 crore LPG connections under the Ujjwala programme, and construction of over 12 crore toilets across the country.

On women’s empowerment, PM Modi said that more than 32 crore women had been brought into the banking system through Jan Dhan accounts. He also cited the approval of permanent commission to women in the armed forces and the success of the Lakhpati Didi initiative. More than 10 crore rural women have reportedly been linked to over 91 lakh self-help groups.

Infrastructure, youth and healthcare

The government also highlighted major infrastructure developments over the past decade. These include an operational metro network of more than 1,100 kilometres across 26 cities, the introduction of 164 Vande Bharat trains, and landmark projects such as the Atal Setu, Sudarshan Setu and the Chenab Rail Bridge. The number of airports in the country has increased from 74 to 164, according to government figures.

For youth, PM Modi pointed to skill training provided to more than two crore young people, Mudra loans worth Rs 40 lakh crore and the growth of India's startup ecosystem to over 2.2 lakh startups.

In healthcare, the government highlighted free treatment coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh for citizens aged 70 and above, Ayushman Bharat health coverage for around 80 crore people, and a network of more than 19,000 Jan Aushadhi centres providing affordable medicines.

Farmers, national security and heritage

The PM also listed measures taken for farmers, including the distribution of Rs 4.3 lakh crore under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, crop insurance payouts worth Rs 2 lakh crore, procurement worth Rs 26 lakh crore at Minimum Support Price (MSP), and Kisan Credit Cards issued to around eight crore farmers.

On national security, PM Modi highlighted record defence exports worth Rs 38,400 crore, efforts against terrorism and Naxalism, and symbolic measures such as renaming Rajpath as Kartavyapath and adopting a new naval ensign inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The government also underlined developments in cultural and religious heritage, including the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and redevelopment projects at Kashi Vishwanath, Mahakal Mahalok and Kedarnath Dham.

PM Modi said that the government would continue working towards its vision of a "Viksit Bharat" through service, good governance and economic prosperity.