**Executive Summary**
On April 11, 2026, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh addressed an event in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, emphasizing that national security is a collective duty of every citizen rather than the sole responsibility of the armed forces. The speech highlighted India’s progress toward "Viksit Bharat" and "Aatmanirbharta" (self-reliance), noting record-breaking defense production and export figures. Key milestones include a defense export target of ₹50,000 crore by the financial year 2029-30.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Security as a Collective Responsibility**
* Security is a shared duty requiring unity, discipline, and awareness among all citizens.
* Individuals are urged to remain active, abide by the law, and prioritize national interests over personal gains.
* Soldiers serve as the first line of defense, but societal cohesion determines the ultimate strength of national security.
* **The Role of Information and Media**
* Information is identified as a powerful tool that can either stabilize or destabilize society.
* Misinformation and rumors are cited as threats that create instability and fuel unnecessary fear.
* The media is tasked with ensuring accurate, responsible reporting and avoiding sensationalism on sensitive security issues.
* **Progress in Defense Self-Reliance (Aatmanirbharta)**
* Defense production reached a record high of ₹1.51 lakh crore in FY 2024-25.
* Defense exports reached an all-time high of ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26, representing a 62.66% increase over the previous year.
* The government has set a target of ₹50,000 crore in defense exports by 2029-30.
* Emphasis is being placed on equipping forces with state-of-the-art weapons manufactured domestically.
* **Societal Values and Tributes**
* "Viksit Bharat" involves fostering a society rooted in mutual responsibility and "unit cohesion," emulating the teamwork of soldiers.
* The event included the felicitation of several war heroes, gallantry award recipients (e.g., Subedar Major Retd. Yogendra Singh Yadav), and "Veer Naris" (widows of fallen heroes).
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Indian Citizens**
**Impact**
Citizens are identified as integral components of the national security apparatus, moving beyond passive roles.
**Action Required**
Contribute to security by rejecting misinformation, abiding by the law, and emulating the discipline and teamwork displayed by the armed forces.
**Stakeholder: Media Organizations**
**Impact**
The media is recognized as a key partner in nation-building and a primary influencer of public opinion.
**Action Required**
Prioritize the dissemination of accurate information and ensure that reporting on national security does not fuel confusion or compromise national interests.
**Stakeholder: Defense Industry and Manufacturers**
**Impact**
The sector is experiencing rapid growth due to government emphasis on indigenous manufacturing and record-high export figures.
**Action Required**
Scale operations and innovation to meet the projected export target of ₹50,000 crore by 2029-30.
**Stakeholder: Families of War Heroes (Veer Naris)**
**Impact**
Acknowledged as "invisible pillars of strength" whose resilience supports the morale of the serving military.
**Action Required**
Continue to share stories of valor to serve as a guiding force and inspiration for the nation's youth.
Key Entities Referenced
Shri Rajnath Singh: The Raksha Mantri (Minister of Defence) who articulated the government's stance on national security as a collective duty and emphasized indigenous defence production.
Viksit Bharat@2047: The primary policy vision and roadmap to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, within which national security is framed as an indispensable pillar.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: The government initiative for self-reliance, specifically highlighted for its role in achieving record-high indigenous defence production and export targets.
Ministry of Defence: The primary ministry responsible for national security, safeguarding national interests, and bolstering the country's defence capabilities.
Ministry of Defence
National security is a collective duty, its strength
is determined through unity, discipline &
awareness among people: Raksha Mantri
“No individual can remain passive in the prevailing global
uncertainties; People must abide by the law, reject
misinformation & place national interests above their own”
“India surrounded by various hostile actors; Optimum
resource utilisation is the need of the hour”
“Misinformation & rumors destabilise society; Accurate &
responsible information must reach public through media”
Posted On: 11 APR 2026 7:59PM by PIB Delhi
“National security, an indispensable pillar of India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat, is a collective duty of
every citizen, and not the sole responsibility of the defence forces,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath
Singh at an event in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on April 11, 2026. He asserted that while soldiers remain the
first line of defence, the strength of national security is equally determined through unity, discipline and
awareness among the people.Underlining that no individual can afford to remain passive in the face of evolving challenges and
prevailing global uncertainties, Raksha Mantri called upon the people to act responsibly and with a deep
sense of commitment. “Safeguarding national interests requires coordinated efforts across all sections of
society. The citizens must contribute meaningfully to national security by abiding by the law, rejecting
misinformation, and placing the nation’s interests above personal gains. As a nation, we find ourselves
surrounded by various hostile actors. We need to ensure optimum utilisation of every resource at our
disposal,” he added.
Terming ‘information’ as a powerful tool in today’s rapidly evolving landscape, Shri Rajnath Singh stated
that misinformation and rumors have the potential to create instability within the society. He emphasised
that the role of the media, therefore, becomes critical in ensuring that accurate and responsible information
reaches the public. “The media is not merely a medium to disseminate news, it is a powerful institution
that shapes public opinion. It must recognise that if sensitive issues pertaining to national security are
misrepresented, driven by a pursuit of sensationalism, the repercussions could be severe. The media, a key
partner in nation-building, bears the responsibility of ensuring that the content it presents serves national
interest and does not fuel unnecessary fear or confusion,” he added.Reiterating that the Government, headed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, makes no compromise
on matters concerning national security, Raksha Mantri stated that equal priority is being accorded to the
welfare measures as well as bolstering the defence capabilities in line with the vision of Viksit
Bharat@2047. He added that strong emphasis is being laid to achieve Aatmanirnbharta in defence to
ensure that the defence forces are equipped with state-of-the-art weapons/platforms manufactured on the
Indian soil.
Highlighting the success of the self-reliance efforts being made by the Government, Shri Rajnath Singh
said that the annual defence production touched a record high figure of Rs 1.51 lakh crore in the Financial
Year 2024-25, with defence exports soaring to an all-time high of Rs 38,424 crore in 2025-26, a staggering
increase of 62.66% over the previous financial year. He hoped to achieve the target of Rs 50,000 crore
worth of defence exports by 2029-30. “Our efforts are laying the bedrock for an Aatmanirbhar & Sashakt
Bharat. Given the pace at which we are advancing, India will soon become self-reliant in the defence
sector, and find itself among the leading nations of the world,” he added.
Raksha Mantri underlined that Viksit Bharat is not merely about physical infrastructure, it is also about
fostering a society rooted in mutual responsibility, where no one is left behind. He stressed on the need to
emulate, at the national level, the quality of teamwork that the soldiers reflect through ‘unit cohesion’ even
in the most adverse battlefield conditions. This spirit must guide the nation’s journey forward to achieve
the goal of Viksit Bharat, he said.As part of the event, Shri Rajnath Singh felicitated War Heroes, including Gallantry award recipient
Subedar Major Retd. (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav; Next-of-Kin of Subedar and Honorary
Captain Karam Singh, Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid, Second Lieutenant Arun
Khetarpal, Captain Vikram Batra, Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey & Brigadier Mohammad Usman; and
Veer Naris of the fallen heroes, honouring their bravery & sacrifice in the service of the nation.Raksha Mantri paid glowing tributes to the bravehearts such as Major Somnath Sharma, Naik Jadunath
Singh, Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid, Captain Vikram Batra and Captain Manoj Kumar
Pandey. Their tales of valour, he said, continue to inspire the people, especially the youth, and instill in
them the values of courage, patriotism, and a strong sense of duty, along with the spirit of sacrifice. He
exuded confidence that the stories of the Gallantry award winners will serve as a guiding force in shaping
the life journeys of the youth.
Shri Rajnath Singh described the families of the brave soldiers as an invisible pillar of strength that keeps
the morale high of those serving the motherland, voicing the Government’s resolve of ‘protecting India’s
sovereignty’ and ‘maintaining the dignity of its soldiers’. He urged the people to honor the invaluable
contribution of these families towards national security. “Whenever I interact with the families of the
fallen heroes, I do sense their grief, but deep within lies a profound sense of pride, free from any
complaint. Such resilience originates from a culture where sacrifice is revered as the supreme value,” he
said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Brajesh Pathak and
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command Lt Gen Anindya Sengputa were among the
dignitaries who attended the event.*****
SR/SPS/Savvy
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