India will celebrate its 80th Independence Day on August 15 with the theme of ‘150 Years of Vande Mataram’ and ‘Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047’, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the celebrations from the historic Red Fort.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said on Monday that, for the first time, ‘Vande Mataram’ will be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort. The National Song will be performed upon the Prime Minister’s arrival, followed by the unfurling of the National Flag and his address to the nation.
The celebrations will also highlight the contribution of India’s youth to the country’s development journey towards 2047. Around 5,000 special guests from diverse fields have been invited, including young innovators, entrepreneurs, scientists, farmers, artisans, skilled workers, volunteers and beneficiaries of various government schemes.
As part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of ‘Vande Mataram’, around 2,500 NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers will form the words ‘वंदे मातरम्’ along Gyanpath opposite the Red Fort ramparts. An Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter will carry a commemorative banner and shower flower petals over the gathering.
Military and security force bands are also conducting performances at 343 prominent locations across the country from August 8 to 15. The performances feature bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, NCC and Central Armed Police Forces, among others.
Highlighting India’s scientific achievements, 19 medal-winning students from the 2026 International Olympiads in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics have been invited to the Red Fort ceremony. Visual displays will showcase India’s progress in nuclear and space technology, while the floral decoration at the Guard of Honour area will depict the nation’s journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047.
More than 1,500 people from different States and Union Territories, dressed in traditional attire, will also attend the ceremony, showcasing India’s cultural diversity. Around 600 winners of competitions and quizzes organised ahead of Independence Day will be part of the celebrations.
The government has also put in place several measures to facilitate visitors, including cloak rooms, helpdesks, wheelchairs, parking facilities and pedestrian ramps. Delhi Metro services will begin at 4 am on August 15, with free travel for invitees using the QR codes issued with their e-invitations.
The invitation card for this year’s celebrations features ‘Seva Teerth’, highlighting the values of duty, compassion and commitment to the principle of ‘Nation First’. The seating enclosures have been named after major Indian lakes, following the initiative to move away from VIP-centric nomenclature.
A post-event cleanliness drive involving NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers will be conducted at the Red Fort to ensure prompt removal of waste and reinforce the message of Swachh Bharat.
In view of possible rainfall, drainage and sewage systems in and around the Red Fort and adjoining areas are also being thoroughly cleaned to ensure smooth conduct of the national celebrations.
