Archive · 15 Aug 2026
PM Modi leads 80th Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort
Many years ago, in 1947, India became free from British rule.
On August 15, 2026, India celebrated its 80th Independence Day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the brave freedom fighters who helped India become free, saying their dreams still inspire the country.
He also placed flowers at Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.
The big celebration happened at the Red Fort, a famous old fort in Delhi.
This year, people remembered that the national song 'Vande Mataram' is 150 years old, and for the first time it was sung during the Red Fort ceremony.
Soldiers, cadets and about 5,000 special guests came to watch, while two helicopters dropped flower petals from the sky.
The Prime Minister gave a speech from the fort walls, which he has now done 13 years in a row.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the 80th Independence Day and paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, honouring freedom fighters who ended British colonial rule.
Modi led the celebrations at the Red Fort in Delhi, where the event marked 150 years of the national song 'Vande Mataram', rendered for the first time at the Red Fort ceremony.
Modi hoisted the National Flag assisted by Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan, accompanied by a 21-gun salute by the 1721 Field Battery using indigenous 105 mm Light Field Guns.
Two Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters showered flower petals over the venue; one carried the National Flag and the other a 'Vande Mataram' flag.
This was Modi's 13th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort ramparts, with about 5,000 special guests, 2,500 cadets and more than 1,500 people in traditional attire attending.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, with Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan assisting the flag hoisting, along with 2,500 cadets, 'My Bharat' volunteers and about 5,000 special guests.
- What
- India's 80th Independence Day celebrations, including flag hoisting, a 21-gun salute, the first rendering of 'Vande Mataram' at the Red Fort ceremony, and PM Modi's address from the ramparts.
- When
- Saturday, August 15, 2026, the 80th anniversary of India's independence on August 15, 1947.
- Where
- The Red Fort in Delhi, India; PM Modi also paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
- Why
- To mark the 80th anniversary of India's independence from British colonial rule and highlight the country's journey towards a developed 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.
- Event
- 80th Independence Day of India
- Date
- August 15, 2026
- Venue
- Red Fort, Delhi
- Theme
- Viksit Bharat@2047, with focus on 'Yuva Shakti' and 150 years of 'Vande Mataram'
- Independence from British rule
- August 15, 1947
- 21-gun salute
- 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) using indigenous 105 mm Light Field Guns
- Consecutive Red Fort addresses by PM Modi
- 13th
- Attendees
- About 5,000 special guests, 2,500 cadets and over 1,500 people in traditional attire
Sources
Ahead of 80th Independence Day celebrations, PM Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat
PM Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat
Independence Day 2026: PM Modi pays tribute to freedom fighters, says their dreams inspire Viksit Bharat mission
