Union Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh addresses a press convention relating to the preparations for the eightieth Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi on August 10, 2026. Photograph: PIB by way of PTI Photograph
National song Vande Mataram will probably be sung from the ramparts of the Purple Fort for the primary time as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for the 80th Independence Day celebrations on August 15, whereas younger college students and members of Gen Z will get higher illustration on the ceremony, with scholar achievers to be seated on the ramparts.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Monday (August 10, 2026) mentioned that the transfer assumes significance as 2026 marks 150 years of the nationwide track, which performed a outstanding position in mobilising individuals through the freedom wrestle. The track will probably be rendered upon the Prime Minister’s arrival, after which he’ll unfurl the nationwide flag and ship his customary deal with to the nation.
‘Yuva Shakti’
The celebrations could have a pronounced concentrate on ‘Yuva Shakti’, with the contribution of younger Indians to the federal government’s imaginative and prescient of a ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’ being highlighted. As a part of the 150-year commemoration of Vande Mataram, 2,500 NCC cadets and MY Bharat volunteers will kind the phrases ‘Vande Mataram’ on Gyanpath reverse the Purple Fort ramparts.
An Indian Air Drive Mi-17 helicopter will fly over the venue carrying a banner marking 150 years of the nationwide track and bathe flower petals over the gathering, he added.
The Defence Secretary mentioned the youth-centric theme may also be mirrored within the participation of 19 Indian medal winners from the Worldwide Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematical Olympiads 2026. They are going to be seated on the ramparts through the ceremony.
Round 5,000 particular company have been invited, together with younger innovators, entrepreneurs, startup founders, expert employees, farmers, artisans, sanitation employees and beneficiaries of varied authorities schemes. Greater than 1,500 Delhi-based company from completely different States and Union Territories, wearing conventional apparel, will showcase the nation’s cultural variety.
Round 600 winners of quizzes and competitions organised by the Defence Ministry in collaboration with MyGov may also attend the celebrations. The competitions included themes equivalent to Synthetic Intelligence and Viksit Bharat, India’s technological and house achievements, nuclear expertise and the liberty motion.
For guests, 25 cloak rooms at six areas, 200 volunteers and 20 wheelchairs have been organized. Metro companies will start at 4 a.m. on August 15, with free journey for invitees utilizing QR codes issued with their e-invitations.
Seating enclosures
The seating enclosures on the Purple Fort have been named after main lakes of India, following the river-themed enclosures used throughout Republic Day this yr. The initiative is meant to underscore water conservation whereas shifting away from VIP-centric nomenclature.
In view of the potential of rain, drainage and sewage techniques across the Purple Fort are being cleaned. A post-event cleanliness drive involving NCC cadets and MY Bharat volunteers will probably be undertaken to clear waste after the ceremony.
He added that the army and safety drive bands are conducting performances at 343 areas throughout the nation between August 8 and 15 to mark the anniversary. Bands of the Military, Navy, Air Drive, Coast Guard, NCC, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, Assam Rifles, Built-in Defence Employees and Railway Safety Drive are taking part.
Printed – August 10, 2026 09:28 pm IST
