Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged lawmakers to ensure a “productive” monsoon session of Parliament, saying meaningful debate backed by facts, not filibuster, should guide proceedings. He also praised India’s growing space sector, hailing startup Skyroot Aerospace, while indirectly criticizing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by referring to a “56-year-old”.
Speaking to the media before the start of the monsoon session, Modi compared the rainy season to the work of Parliament.
“Be it the monsoon or the monsoon cycle, if both are proactive, they prove to be very productive. When both are productive, it leads to the well-being of the nation and the well-being of all living beings. That is why we pray that the monsoon remains proactive and productive, and that the monsoon cycle is also fruitful,” he said.
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The Prime Minister called for constructive discussions in both houses and said Parliament should become a platform for rational debate.
“I hope the spirit of this growth fuels our Parliament session. Where there is a strong argument and strong facts, there is no need for a storm. I hope every voice finds space,” Modi said.
Modi praises Skyroot, criticizes Rahul Gandhi
Highlighting India’s recent achievements, Modi said the country witnessed many milestones over the past month that made every Indian proud.
“In just one month, the nation has achieved many milestones, a series of achievements that fill every citizen with pride. Be it on the national stage, the international arena, or now, even in space, these have been truly proud moments for India,” he said.
Noting the progress India has made in the private space sector, Modi praised Skyroot Aerospace and the young team behind the startup.
“Just before the monsoon last year, an Indian citizen reached the International Space Station. Just a few days ago, an Indian startup achieved a tremendous feat. Only few countries in the world have witnessed such private projects; India’s youth have embarked on a new journey into space. It is a tremendous success. India’s global image is gaining global recognition and acceptance. This is not a coincidence; it is a message, a powerful message that the potential and aspirations of our country’s youth are as limitless as space itself,” he said.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the average age of the Skyroot team was only 28 and used the comment to make a political mockery of the Leader of the Opposition.
“I am told that the average age of the entire team working at the Skyroot startup is just 28 years. Young people like this have accomplished this feat. And I am not talking about a 56-year-old,” Modi said, in an apparent reference to 56-year-old Rahul Gandhi.
The government’s legislative agenda
The monsoon session, which begins on Monday and continues until August 13, is expected to see the government push through a series of important bills that include taxation, higher education, judicial reforms and small and medium enterprise development.
One of the priority pieces of legislation is the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026, which seeks to amend the provisions governing foreign financing regulations.
The government is also expected to adopt the Vixit Bharat Shiksha Adishthan Bill, 2025, which aims to reform the higher education framework. The draft law had previously been submitted to the House of Representatives and was referred to a joint parliamentary committee for study.
Another major proposal is the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to replace an ordinance extending tax exemptions to foreign investors who earn income from specified government securities. The move aims to support capital flows and strengthen India’s sovereign debt market.
The legislative agenda also includes the Supreme Court Amendment Bill, 2026, which proposes to increase the number of sanctioned Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India, to help address the growing number of pending cases.
The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill 2026 is also scheduled to be introduced. The program aims to improve the ease of doing business for micro, small and medium enterprises by strengthening mechanisms for processing late payments, strengthening the work of facilitation councils and providing states with greater flexibility in resolving disputes.
In addition, the center plans to introduce amendments to the Birth and Death Registration Law to tighten rules regarding late registration, along with changes to the Law to Prevent Insults to National Honor.
The monsoon session is expected to be politically charged, as the government seeks to secure the passage of several key reforms while the opposition is expected to raise several controversial national issues.
