India will commemorate the 80th Independence Day today, a red-letter day in the history of the country, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to lead the celebrations at the Red Fort complex amid patriotic fervour and multi-layer security.
The mega function is set to commemorate 150 years of the enduring legacy of the National Song, ‘Vande Mataram’, and “celebrate the energy, aspirations and pivotal contribution of ‘Yuva Shakti’ in driving India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047”, the defence ministry said on Thursday.
The GOC will then conduct the prime minister to the saluting base where a combined Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard will present general salute to PM Modi. The Indian Army is the coordinating service for the Independence Day celebrations this year. The guard of honour will be commanded by Lt Col Arjun Singh. The Army contingent in the Prime Minister’s Guard will be commanded by Maj Aditya Sharma, the naval contingent by Lt Cdr Neelam Rana and the Air Force contingent by Sqn Ldr Vipin Kumar. “Capt Sonia Singh Chauhan will assist the prime minister in hoisting the national flag. After unfurling the tricolour from the ramparts of the historic monument, PM Modi will deliver his Independence Day address to the nation for the 13th consecutive time. PM Modi will be received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
It will be synchronised with the 21-gun salute by the valiant gunners of the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial),” the statement said. “The National Flag Guard, comprising one officer and 32 other ranks each from the Army, Navy and Air Force and Delhi Police, will present the Rashtriya Salute at the time of hoisting of the national flag by the prime minister. As soon as the national flag is hoisted by the prime minister, flower petals will be showered at the venue by two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force — one trooping the national flag and the other carrying a flag depicting ‘Vande Mataram’. Also, to promote patriotic fervour among citizens, a number of band performances are being held at 343 prominent locations across the country, the ministry said. Earlier reporting noted: Independence Day 2026: India will mark its 80th Independence Day on Saturday, August 15, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the celebrations at Red Fort in Delhi.
Thereafter, the prime minister will inspect the guard of honour, the ministry earlier said in a statement. The Delhi Police contingent will be commanded by Additional DCP Vineet Kumar, it said. Maj Lokendra Singh Shekhawat will be in command of this Inter-Services Guard and Police Guard,” the ministry said. The captains of the helicopters will be Wg Cdr Rajat and Sqn Ldr Ankit Varshney, the statement said. For the first time, ‘Vande Mataram’ will be rendered during the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, the ministry said.
Earlier reporting noted: The Independence Day celebrations will start early in the morning. After inspecting the Guard of Honour, the PM will proceed to the ramparts of the Red Fort Earlier reporting noted: President Droupadi Murmu addresses the nation on the eve of India’s 80th Independence Day President Droupadi Murmu began her address with Vande Mataram , followed by the national anthem on the eve of the 80th Independence Day.
