The energy and aspirations of Gen Z and ‘Yuva Shakti’ will take centre stage at the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on August 15. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the celebrations and the National ong ‘Vande Mataram’ will be rendered at the historic venue for the first time.

The celebrations will commemorate 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’ and highlight the contribution of young Indians to the country’s journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047.

According to the Ministry of Defence, around 2,500 NCC cadets and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers, including boys and girls from the Army, Navy and Air Force, will participate in the ceremony, seated along Gyanpath opposite the Red Fort ramparts.

After the Prime Minister hoists the national flag, the Army band will play ‘Vande Mataram’, followed by the National Anthem.

After Mr. Modi’s address concludes, the NCC cadets and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers will again sing the National Song, followed by the National Anthem.

The Prime Minister will be received at the Red Fort by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. At the ramparts, he will be received by the Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan will assist the Prime Minister in hoisting the National Flag. The unfurling will coincide with a 21-gun salute fired by the ceremonial 1721 Field Battery using indigenous 105-mm Light Field Guns. Two IAF Mi-17 helicopters will shower flower petals, one will carry the National Flag and the other will carry a flag depicting ‘Vande Mataram’.

Inclusive guest list

Around 5,000 special guests have been invited, including women entrepreneurs, sanitation workers, street vendors, youth innovators, scientists, start-up founders, Metro workers, taxi drivers, hospital staff, artisans, farmers and students. More than 1,500 people from States and Union Territories, dressed in traditional attire, will also attend.

In a departure from conventional VIP-centric nomenclature, seating enclosures have been named after major Indian lakes such as Chilika, Loktak, Pangong Tso, Vembanad, Wular, Pulicat and Hussain Sagar, underscoring the importance of water conservation.

As part of nationwide celebrations, military and security force bands will perform at 343 locations. The Navy and local administrations will also conduct flag-hoisting ceremonies in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

The Defence Ministry, in collaboration with MyGov, also conducted essay, painting and online quiz competitions on themes including artificial intelligence, the 2047 vision, the Constitution, women freedom fighters, space and nuclear technology. Around 600 winners will attend the Independence Day celebrations.

Published - August 13, 2026 07:57 pm IST