PM Modi To Address Nation Shortly. Suspense Over Subject

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 5 pm today, his office has announced. There is no confirmation yet on the subject of this address. This has triggered speculation on what the Prime Minister will speak on.

The timing of this address is significant. It comes a day ahead of the implementation of GST 2.0 reforms, making it a possible subject of the Prime Minister's address. Also on the list of probabilities is the US's crackdown on H1 B visa holders, a move that will affect a large section of Indian techies working in the US. Among the other options in New Delhi's tariffs tussle with Washington, DC.

PM @narendramodi will be addressing the nation at 5 PM this evening.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 21, 2025

Since taking over the country's top executive post in 2014, the Prime Minister has addressed the nation to announce key government decisions. On November 8, 2016, he addressed the nation and announced the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. Another such address was aired on March 12, 2019, when the Prime Minister announced the Balakot airstrikes, launched in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. The Prime Minister had addressed the nation on March 24, 2020, to announce a three-week nationwide lockdown to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. He addressed the nation again on April 14, 2020, to announce the extension of the lockdown. In May, he told the nation that the government had decided to ease the lockdown.

The Prime Minister's last address to the nation was on May 12, 2025, when he briefed the people about Operation Sindoor, India's counterstrike after the terror attack in Pahalgam.

Today's address comes on the eve of the rollout of GST 2.0 reforms. The cuts in GST rates, which will lower prices of a wide variety of goods, will kick in on the first day of Navratri. This is likely to boost consumption during the festive season.

Among the items that will become cheaper due to the GST 2.0 reforms are kitchen staples such as ghee, ketchup, coffee and paneer, electronic appliances and medicines.

One of the biggest beneficiaries of this move is people planning to buy cars this Dhanteras. Tax rates for cars have been slashed and several carmakers have already announced the reduction in prices.

GST, or Goods and Services Tax, are currently levied in four slabs -- 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent. The GST reforms bring in two slabs - 5 per cent and 18 per cent - and these will cover the majority of items. Luxury goods, however, will attract a GST of 40 per cent.