In a first, ‘Vande Mataram’ to be sung from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort
Prime Minister to unfurl the National Flag & address the Nation
Approx. 5,000 Special Guests invited to witness the grand celebrations
The Nation will mark its 80th Independence Day on August 15, 2026, with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi leading the celebrations from the historic Red Fort in Delhi. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on August 10, 2026, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh stated that as 2026 marks 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, the National Song that inspired millions during the freedom struggle will be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the first time as a tribute to its enduring legacy.
Vande Mataram’ will be sung upon the Prime Minister’s arrival at Red Fort. Thereafter, he will unfurl the National Flag and deliver the customary address to the Nation. The celebrations this year will also commemorate Yuva Shakti, acknowledging the contribution of young India in building a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the Defence Secretary added
150 years of Vande Mataram
The floral decoration will showcase ‘Vande Mataram’, with a total of 2,500 boy & girl cadets of NCC and My Bharat volunteers forming ‘वंदे मातरम्’ on Gyanpath opposite the Rampart. A Mi-17 helicopter of the Indian Air Force will carry a banner commemorating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, and shower flower petals over the people gathered at Red Fort.
Military Band Performances
Paying tribute to the anthem that united and inspired generations during the freedom struggle, a number of band performances are being held pan-India from August 08, 2026. The performances by the bands of Army, Navy, Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, NCC, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Border Security Force (BSF), Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Assam Rifles at 343 prominent locations will continue till August 15, 2026. Entry to these band performance venues is open to the public to promote patriotic fervour among citizens.
Yuva Shakti: Leading the journey to Viksit Bharat @2047
The Independence Day Celebrations 2026 will acknowledge the success of youth in different spheres. Achievements of 19 medalist students of International Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematical Olympiad 2026 is an example of the success of Yuva Shakti in the field of science. They have been invited for the function and will be seated on the rampart.
View cutters in the backdrop will showcase India’s progress in nuclear and space technology, with the floral decoration at the Guard of Honour area depicting India’s journey to Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
Special Guests
Approx. 5,000 Special Guests, who are achievers from different walks of life and are guiding the country in its Viksit Bharat journey, have been invited as Special Guests for the celebrations. The categories include:
Youth innovators under National Innovation Programmes
Best interns under Prime Minister Internship Scheme
Best performing startups supported under various schemes
Best performing Youth trained under PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana
Best performing startups supported under Startup India Seed Fund
Best performing MY Bharat Volunteers
Beneficiaries under NAMASTE, PM AJAY, SEED
Students of Delhi government schools, selected from various quizzes, competitions
Saluting the contribution of entrepreneurs, innovators and grass root workers towards Viksit Bharat@2047, special guests have been invited from the following categories:
International Yoga Day Volunteers
Women Entrepreneurs under PM Mudra Yojana
Best performing beneficiaries of PMAY(U)
Innovators/Scientists in different fields
Sarthi/Cab Driver/Taxi Drivers of Bharat Taxi in Delhi
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana beneficiaries
Artisans under PM Vishwakarma scheme
Best performing beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) Yojana
Best performing farmers under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)
The Special Guests also include the silent warriors, who work hard round-the-clock to assist others in achieving their goals. As Independence Day is a celebration to recognise their contributions as well, special guests from the following categories have been also invited:
Street vendors under PM SVANidhi
Urban sanitation workers under Swachh Bharat Mission
Best performing Delhi Metro workers
Best performing workers of Kartavya Path/Central Vista workers
Nursing Orderlies (Ward Attendants) and other staffs of Government Hospitals in Delhi
Over 1,500 Delhi-based people from various States/Union Territories dressed in traditional attire have also been invited to witness the grand ceremony. They will demonstrate a microcosm of India at Red Fort.
