PM Modi Links Trade Pacts to New Jobs for Indian Youth, Frames New Hires as Architects of ‘Viksit Bharat’, Highlights FDI Surge & Startup Boom
Mohammad Irfan
New Delhi, Srinagar: Across India, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday emphasised India’s commitment to youth empowerment and employment generation, announcing that the country is entering into trade and mobility agreements with multiple nations to create new opportunities for young Indians, both domestically and internationally.
Addressing the 18th Rozgar Mela, a landmark employment initiative organised simultaneously at 45 locations across the country, where 61,000 appointment letters were handed over electronically to newly recruited government employees the Prime Minister said that the event is a “new spring” in the lives of the nation’s youth. The Prime Minister further said that the appointment letters are not merely documents, but an “invitation for nation-building”. “Today, you are beginning a new journey.
These letters are a resolution to strengthen the construction of a developed India,” the Prime Minister said. He highlighted that some of the newly recruited youth would serve in ministries strengthening national security, others in healthcare and education, while several would play a critical role in financial services, energy, and government enterprises.
The Rozgar Mela, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), has become a flagship initiative for youth employment, translating government policy into actionable results. Since its inception, over 11 lakh recruitment letters have been issued through various Rozgar Melas nationwide, connecting talented candidates with roles across key government departments.
The 18th iteration of the Mela saw candidates joining the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Financial Services, Department of Higher Education, and other critical ministries.
Modi emphasised that India’s youth population is the largest in the world, and the government is making concerted efforts to provide them with meaningful employment opportunities both within India and abroad. “India is signing trade and mobility agreements with several countries. These trade agreements are bringing new avenues for the youth of the nation,” he said, underlining the importance of linking domestic talent with global economic opportunities.
He also placed the event in the broader context of the nation’s cultural and constitutional milestones. “The beginning of 2026 is marking the start of new joys in your lives. As Vasant Panchami has just passed, a new spring is beginning for you. This period also connects you to your duties towards the Constitution,” Modi said, highlighting that the nation recently observed Parakram Diwas on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary, and will celebrate National Voters’ Day on January 25 followed by Republic Day on January 26. He reminded the youth that it was on this day that ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ were officially adopted as the National Anthem and National Song.
Addressing the recruits, Modi framed their appointment as a personal and national responsibility. “Today, you are receiving appointment letters for government services. In a way, this is an invitation for nation-building,” he said. “Many among you will strengthen the security of the country, some will empower education and healthcare, many will strengthen financial services and energy security, while others will contribute to the growth of government enterprises. I give my best wishes to all of you.”
The Prime Minister reiterated that connecting youth with skills and employment has been a government priority. The Rozgar Mela, he said, ensures that government recruitment happens in a mission-mode, efficiently reaching talented candidates nationwide. Over the years, the Mela has grown into a trusted institution, empowering youth to access government roles that match their skills and aspirations.
Modi also underscored that India is witnessing rapid economic transformation, creating unprecedented employment opportunities in diverse sectors. “India has made major investments in modern infrastructure, which has significantly boosted employment in construction-related sectors,” he said. The Prime Minister also highlighted the fast-growing start-up ecosystem, noting that over 2 lakh registered start-ups now operate across the country, employing more than 21 lakh youth. Digital India initiatives, he added, have expanded a new economy, with India emerging as a global hub for animation, digital media, and the creator economy.
Prime Minister Modi said India’s rising global credibility has created new opportunities for youth. “The way the world’s trust in India is increasing today is also creating many new possibilities for our young people,” he said. India, he noted, has doubled its GDP in a decade and attracted foreign direct investment (FDI) from over 100 countries, more than 2.5 times the FDI inflows compared to the decade prior to 2014. Increased investment, Modi said, directly translates into employment opportunities in manufacturing, services, and emerging industries.
India is also becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse, with significant growth in electronics, medicines and vaccines, defense, and the auto sector. Since 2014, electronics manufacturing has increased six-fold to a ₹11 lakh crore industry, while electronics exports have surpassed ₹4 lakh crore. The auto industry, he noted, has grown rapidly, with two-wheeler sales exceeding 2 crore units in 2025, reflecting increased purchasing power and economic activity across the country.
Highlighting gender inclusion, Modi said more than 8,000 women received appointment letters at the event. Women’s participation in the workforce has nearly doubled in the past 11 years, driven by schemes such as Mudra and Start-up India, which support entrepreneurship and self-employment. “Women are increasingly taking leadership roles as directors, founders, and cooperative leaders,” the Prime Minister noted, stressing that expanding opportunities for women is central to India’s development trajectory. The Prime Minister also spoke about India’s ongoing reforms aimed at Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business, which have streamlined GST, strengthened labor laws, and supported MSMEs and entrepreneurs. He urged new recruits to focus on micro-level reforms, ensuring that citizens experience a government that is efficient, responsive, and transparent. “Recall your previous interactions with government offices and the difficulties you faced. As part of the government, now it is your responsibility to ensure such obstacles do not affect others,” he said.
He encouraged employees to leverage digital platforms like iGOT Karmayogi, which currently trains 1.5 crore government employees, to continually upgrade skills and adapt to rapidly changing technology and citizen expectations.
Emphasising public service, Modi said: “Whether it is the Prime Minister or a small servant of the government, we are all servants, and our guiding mantra must be ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’—The Citizen is God.” He urged the new recruits to adopt this principle in every aspect of their work, reinforcing the government’s citizen-centric approach to governance.
The Prime Minister concluded his address by framing the appointment as a new beginning for both the recruits and the nation. “This new spring in your lives coincides with India’s journey towards a developed India by 2047. Through your service, a strong, self-reliant, and progressive nation will be built,” he said, congratulating the youth and wishing them success in their new roles.
