Mann Ki Baat: 136 Episodes On

On the last Sunday of every month, the Prime Minister speaks to the country on radio. There is no studio audience and no debate. It started on a festival day in 2014 and has now crossed 138 episodes. What is it, and what can an exam ask about it?

1What Is Mann Ki Baat?

• The name means “words from the heart”.
• It is a monthly radio address by the Prime Minister to the people.
• The first episode aired on 3 October 2014, which was Vijayadashami.
• It is not a constitutional body or a legal duty. It is a government outreach programme.
• It does not announce laws. It talks about people, ideas and campaigns.

2How Did Mann Ki Baat Grow Since 2014?

• 3 October 2014: Episode 1 goes on air. It begins in Hindi.
• Over the years, the topics grow. They include farming, sports, science, heritage, cleanliness and local heroes.
• 30 April 2023: Episode 100 airs.
• An IIM Rohtak survey was done before that episode. It found that over 100 crore people had tuned in at least once.
• The same survey counted about 23 crore regular listeners.
• 25 February 2024: Episode 110 airs. Then the show pauses for three months for the general elections.
• 30 June 2024: Episode 111 brings it back.
• 28 September 2025: Episode 126 airs, close to the 11th anniversary on 3 October 2025.
• 27 September 2026: Episode 138 is the latest at the time of writing.

3How Does the Programme Work?

• It goes out on the last Sunday of the month, at 11 am.
• It runs for about 30 minutes.
• It is carried on All India Radio, DD National and DD News.
• Citizens send ideas and stories. The Prime Minister picks some to speak about.
• It is a one-way address. It is not a call-in show.

4What Did the Recent Episodes Cover?

• Episode 135 (28 June 2026): the Hargila Army of Assam. Biologist Purnima Devi Barman leads it, to protect the Greater Adjutant Stork.
• The same episode praised the living root bridges of Meghalaya. India has applied to add them to the UNESCO World Heritage list.
• Episode 136 (26 July 2026): Kargil Vijay Diwas and the Shaurya Vijay Yatra motorcycle rally from the National War Memorial.
• It also mentioned the Catch the Rain campaign, which began on 4 July.
• It spoke of Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed rocket.
• Episode 137 (30 August 2026): a drug-free India for the youth, and the PM SVANidhi scheme.
• Episode 138 (27 September 2026): zero tolerance for terrorism, and the 10th anniversary of the 2016 surgical strike.
• That episode also saluted Sawan Barwal, who won silver in the men’s marathon at the Asian Games.

5What Should You Remember for Exams?

Must Know

• First episode: 3 October 2014, Vijayadashami.
• Monthly, last Sunday, 11 am.
• Broadcast on All India Radio and Doordarshan.

Good to Know

• Episode 100 aired on 30 April 2023.
• The IIM Rohtak survey found over 100 crore people had listened at least once.

Great to Know

• It is not a Gandhi Jayanti launch (Trap).
• It is not a constitutional duty (Trap).
• It did take a break in 2024 for the elections (Trap).