‘Vande Mataram’ to be sung from Red Fort ramparts for first time as India marks 80th Independence Day
New Delhi, Aug 10. India will celebrate its 80th Independence Day on August 15 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the national celebrations from the historic Red Fort, with this year’s ceremony featuring a special tribute to ‘Vande Mataram’, which completes 150 years in 2026.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said at a press conference in New Delhi on August 10 that the National Song, which played a significant role in inspiring the freedom movement, would be sung from the Red Fort ramparts for the first time as part of this year’s celebrations.
‘Vande Mataram’ will be performed when the Prime Minister arrives at the Red Fort, following which he will unfurl the National Flag and deliver his customary Independence Day address to the nation.
The celebrations will also focus on ‘Yuva Shakti’, highlighting the contribution of India’s young population to the country’s development journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047.
150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’
The 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’ will be a prominent feature of this year’s celebrations. Floral decorations at the Red Fort will showcase the National Song, while around 2,500 NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers will form the words ‘Vande Mataram’ on Gyanpath opposite the ramparts.
An Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter will fly over the venue carrying a banner commemorating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’ and shower flower petals over the gathering.
A nationwide series of military band performances is also being organised to mark the anniversary. Beginning August 8, bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, NCC and several Central Armed Police Forces are performing at 343 prominent locations across the country. The performances will continue through August 15 and are open to the public.
Youth at the centre of celebrations
The 2026 celebrations will place particular emphasis on India’s youth and their contribution to the country’s development.
Nineteen Indian students who won medals at the 2026 International Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematical Olympiads have been invited to attend the ceremony and will be seated on the Red Fort ramparts.
Visual displays at the venue will highlight India’s achievements in nuclear and space technology, while floral decorations near the Guard of Honour area will depict the country’s journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047.
Around 5,000 achievers from different walks of life have also been invited as special guests. They include young innovators, entrepreneurs, interns, skilled workers, volunteers, farmers, scientists, artisans and beneficiaries of various government programmes.
Among those invited are beneficiaries and achievers associated with the Prime Minister Internship Scheme, Startup India Seed Fund, PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana, PM Vishwakarma, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, PMAY-Urban, PM SVANidhi and other government initiatives.
The guest list also includes street vendors, sanitation workers, Delhi Metro employees, Central Vista workers and government hospital staff, highlighting the contribution of workers involved in essential public services.
More than 1,500 Delhi-based participants from different states and union territories, dressed in traditional attire, will also attend the ceremony to showcase India’s cultural diversity.
Children to participate through competitions
The Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with MyGov, has organised a series of competitions ahead of Independence Day to involve children and young citizens in the celebrations.
These include an essay competition on the role of artificial intelligence in building Viksit Bharat@2047, a painting competition comparing India of 1947 and 2047, and online quizzes covering the Constitution, women’s contribution to the freedom movement, India’s technological progress and achievements in space and nuclear technology.
Around 600 winners of these competitions will attend the Independence Day celebrations.
Various other ministries, departments, the Delhi government and Delhi Police are also organising online and offline activities to encourage public participation in the national celebrations.
Measures to facilitate visitors
The Defence Ministry has announced several measures to improve visitor convenience and security during the event.
Twenty-five cloakrooms have been established at six locations, while 200 volunteers from My Bharat and NCC will assist visitors in reaching their designated enclosures. NCC cadets will also provide wheelchair assistance at metro stations and parking areas.
Delhi Metro services will begin at 4 am on August 15, with free travel for invitees carrying valid e-invitations and the required QR codes. Parking will be available at Parade Ground for vehicles with valid passes.
Ramps and stairs have also been installed to facilitate pedestrian movement between the upper and lower sections of Subhash Marg. Traffic restrictions on the day of the ceremony will be reflected on Google and Mappls Maps.
Given the possibility of rain, rain ponchos will be provided to invitees at Madhav Das Park and August 15 Park, as well as dignitaries seated at the ramparts.
‘Seva Teerth’ theme on invitation cards
The invitation cards for this year’s celebrations will carry an image of Seva Teerth, reflecting the government’s emphasis on public service and the principle of ‘Nation First’.
The Defence Ministry said the design is intended to inspire citizens towards dedication and service to the welfare of the country. The Dharm Chakra featured on the invitation card represents the continuous pursuit of righteous duty and selfless action.
Post-event cleanliness drive
A cleanliness campaign will also be undertaken at the Red Fort immediately after the Independence Day ceremony.
NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers will conduct plogging and remove waste after spectators leave the venue. The initiative is aimed at reinforcing the message of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and ensuring that the historic monument is ready for visitors later the same day.
Lakes to replace VIP-oriented enclosure names
In another change reflecting the government’s effort to move away from what it describes as VIP culture, the seating enclosures for the Independence Day ceremony have been named after major Indian lakes.
The initiative follows the naming of Republic Day 2026 enclosures after major Indian rivers, which was intended to highlight water conservation while moving away from traditional VIP-centric arrangements.
Authorities have also undertaken extensive cleaning of drainage and sewage systems around the Red Fort and adjoining areas in preparation for possible rainfall during the ceremony.
The 2026 Independence Day celebrations will thus combine the commemoration of 80 years of India’s independence and 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’ with an emphasis on youth, public service, technological progress, cultural diversity and the country’s development vision for 2047.
