Modi urges first-time voters to register at 18, calls voting ‘soul of democracy’ in Mann Ki Baat

Message timed with National Voters’ Day and Republic Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his radio address Mann Ki Baat on January 25, 2026, to urge young citizens to register as voters as soon as they turn 18, describing the step as central to strengthening India’s democracy.

The comments were framed around January 25 being observed as National Voters’ Day and January 26 being Republic Day, when the Constitution came into force. Modi linked the timing to what he described as constitutional values and the democratic milestone of becoming a voter.

Voting as constitutional responsibility

In the address cited in the report, Modi described the voter as the “soul of democracy” and said that enrolling as a voter is not merely an ordinary life stage, but a significant civic milestone. The focus, the report says, was on encouraging participation and deepening democratic habits among first-time voters.

The appeal is likely aimed at young adults who may have recently become eligible or will become eligible in the coming months, encouraging them to complete enrollment so they can participate in upcoming electoral exercises whenever they are scheduled.

Why the pitch matters

Youth participation and voter registration remain a recurring theme in civic engagement drives, and the Mann Ki Baat platform is often used to push broad, nationwide participation messages. The report places this in the context of the Republic Day period, when constitutional commitments and duties are highlighted publicly.

The emphasis on early registration also reflects the practical reality that enrollment processes take time and can involve local verification steps, making early action important for those who want to vote as soon as they are eligible.