Celebrating India’s 79th Independence Day
Fuelling India’s Growth Story with Trust, Self-Reliance, Empowerment, and Inclusion.
As we mark India’s 79th Independence Day, we remember the unparalleled courage of our freedom fighters, reformers and visionary leaders whose sacrifice gives us the power and freedom to live and invest in this great nation. NSE stands in unwavering solidarity with the brave men and women of our armed forces who continue to protect India’s sovereignty and safeguard the freedom we cherish.
One of India’s most defining achievements since independence has been the deep and inspiring trust placed by its people in Indian entrepreneurs. Our Prime Minister’s consistent encouragement has inspired people in every corner of the country. Today, more than 11.8 crore unique investors, spanning 99.85% of India’s pin codes, participate in the growth of Indian enterprises through over 23 crore investor accounts. From Arunachal Pradesh or Ladakh or Lakshadweep, ordinary citizens invest in businesses across the country—companies they may never visit but fully trust, thanks to the depth of our capital markets.
On this momentous day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered a rousing address from the Red Fort, setting the tone for a future defined by self-reliance, innovation, and inclusive growth. He paid homage to our freedom fighters’ sacrifices, highlighted India’s global standing and called upon every citizen to contribute to the nation’s transformation. Emphasizing the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat, he unveiled ground-breaking GST reforms, to be rolled out by Diwali and announced a ₹1 lakh crore fund to boost youth employment and celebrated the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit emerging from all corners of the nation.
The Prime Minister underscored the nation’s commitment to advancing research and technology, and spoke about landmark initiatives such as India’s first Made-in-India semiconductor chip, a tenfold expansion in nuclear energy by 2047, and the National Deepwater Exploration Mission. He also spoke about increasing energy security and clean energy, opening deep-sea oil exploration and nuclear power to private participation, and prioritizing pharma-related research and intellectual property protection. He encouraged the youth to step forward, innovate, and drive India’s journey towards becoming a global leader, reaffirming the commitment to create new opportunities and make India a beacon of progress and inclusivity for the world.
Since NSE began operations in 1994, India’s equity market capitalisation has multiplied about 125 times, a testament to enduring public trust and market vibrancy. Today, with over 2,800 listed companies and an equity market capitalisation of ₹442 lakh crore (US$5.05 trillion), India proudly stands as the world’s fourth-largest economy and fourth-largest capital market. Sustained growth demands capital, and NSE remains steadfast as a facilitator—already a global leader in IPO mobilisation and a critical channel for raising both equity and debt for Indian Issuers. In FY25 alone, NSE facilitated fund mobilisation of ₹18.7 lakh crore, supporting businesses, enabling jobs, and fostering innovation across the country. NSE’s dedicated platforms for MSMEs and startups have opened new avenues for fundraising, growth, and job creation. NSE’s world-class trading platform stands as a benchmark for a fair, efficient, transparent, orderly and continuous markets. Through over 15,000 dedicated financial literacy initiatives and nationwide programs in a year NSE equips citizens from all walks of life with financial awareness.
NSE’s journey mirrors the progress of Bharat itself. NSE has become a strong catalyst in nation-building. NSE’s commitment is clear: to provide a platform for companies to grow, investors to participate in that growth, and India’s economy to thrive. In our journey towards a Viksit Bharat, we renew our responsibility—to help mobilise capital, fuel wealth creation, catalyse employment, and build resilient, inclusive capital markets that transform the future of every Indian.
On this Independence Day, we draw inspiration from our Prime Minister’s clarion call—embracing self-reliance, championing reform, and believing in the limitless potential of Bharat.
Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind!
Writer: Ashish Chauhan, MD & CEO of NSE
