Independence Day 2026 LIVE: PM Modi extends wishes, remembers freedom fighters on I-Day, to address nation from Red Fort

Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Celebrations will feature ceremonial proceedings, with this year’s programme also putting the spotlight on 150 years of Vande Mataram. PM Narendra Modi will deliver the Independence Day speech from Red Fort today.

Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Events, ceremonies and celebrations. India is marking its 80th Independence Day today, August 15, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort leading the celebrations. The celebrations will feature the traditional ceremonial proceedings and a parade, with this year’s programme also spotlighting 150 years of Vande Mataram. For the first time, Vande Mataram will be sung from the Red Fort before the national anthem.Around 27,000 people, including youth innovators, interns, entrepreneurs, and students, are expected to attend the 80th Independence Day celebrations. Follow our live blog for the latest updates, key moments and major developments throughout the day. Anti-terror response plan, 1,000+ CCTV cameras Delhi has turned into a fortress ahead of Independence Day celebrations, with additional checks across the city and on entry and exit points, and special security arrangements at Red Fort. According to news agency PTI, a multi-layered anti-terror response plan and over 1,000 CCTV cameras with AI-based video analytics have been deployed at Red Fort. "Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in view of incidents reported in the national capital last year, with a focus on ensuring that people attending the celebrations face minimum inconvenience," Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia said. Multiple layers of checking and screening will take place at Red Fort, where PM Modi is set to deliver his customary address today, followed by a parade. The CCTV cameras installed at Red Fort are linked with systems equipped with AI-based video analytics, while live feeds are being monitored from a dedicated control room, the DCP said. Delhi metro timings for Independence Day To facilitate the Independence Day rush better, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had announced earlier commencement of trains for the day. Metro services began at 4am today and trains will run at a frequency of 30 minutes on all lines. The DMRC said 1.30 lakh special pre-vended QR tickets have been supplied to the Ministry of Defence for the movement of special guests and bona fide invitees attending the celebrations. The Lal Quila, Jama Masjid and Delhi Gate metro stations are the nearest stations to the venue of the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort. Traffic advisory for Independence Day Traffic restrictions, diversions and vehicle movement regulations will remain in place in Delhi due to Independence Day celebrations from 4am to 10am, the Delhi Traffic Police said on Friday. Commuters have been asked to plan their journeys in advance follow designated alternate routes, and follow advisories for real-time traffic information. Here's a list of roads closed during the window: - Netaji Subhash Marg - Delhi Gate to Chatta Rail Chowk - Lothian Road - GPO Delhi to Chatta Rail Chowk - S P Mukherjee Marg - H C Sen Marg to Yamuna Bazar Chowk - Chandni Chowk Road - Fountain Chowk to Red Fort - Nishad Raj Marg - Ring Road to Netaji Subhash Marg - Esplanade Road and Link Road - to Netaji Subhash Marg - Ring Road - Rajghat to ISBT Kashmere Gate Historic first on I-Day 2026, focus on youth In a historic first, the national song Vande Mataram will be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the first time at this year’s Independence Day celebrations. The national song will be sung when PM Modi arrives at Red Fort, after which he will hoist the national flag and deliver his customary address to the nation. Focus will also remain on the youth this time, with “150 Years of Vande Mataram” and “Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047” being the two big themes. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh had said that the Yuva Shakti theme was decided independently of the recent developments at Jantar Mantar, which saw a huge student protest against the NEET paper leak.

Around 27,000 people, including youth innovators, interns, entrepreneurs, and students, are expected to attend the 80th Independence Day celebrations. Follow our live blog for the latest updates, key moments and major developments throughout the day. Anti-terror response plan, 1,000+ CCTV cameras Delhi has turned into a fortress ahead of Independence Day celebrations, with additional checks across the city and on entry and exit points, and special security arrangements at Red Fort. According to news agency PTI, a multi-layered anti-terror response plan and over 1,000 CCTV cameras with AI-based video analytics have been deployed at Red Fort. "Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in view of incidents reported in the national capital last year, with a focus on ensuring that people attending the celebrations face minimum inconvenience," Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia said. Multiple layers of checking and screening will take place at Red Fort, where PM Modi is set to deliver his customary address today, followed by a parade. The CCTV cameras installed at Red Fort are linked with systems equipped with AI-based video analytics, while live feeds are being monitored from a dedicated control room, the DCP said. Delhi metro timings for Independence Day To facilitate the Independence Day rush better, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had announced earlier commencement of trains for the day. Metro services began at 4am today and trains will run at a frequency of 30 minutes on all lines. The DMRC said 1.30 lakh special pre-vended QR tickets have been supplied to the Ministry of Defence for the movement of special guests and bona fide invitees attending the celebrations. The Lal Quila, Jama Masjid and Delhi Gate metro stations are the nearest stations to the venue of the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort. Traffic advisory for Independence Day Traffic restrictions, diversions and vehicle movement regulations will remain in place in Delhi due to Independence Day celebrations from 4am to 10am, the Delhi Traffic Police said on Friday. Commuters have been asked to plan their journeys in advance follow designated alternate routes, and follow advisories for real-time traffic information. Here's a list of roads closed during the window: - Netaji Subhash Marg - Delhi Gate to Chatta Rail Chowk - Lothian Road - GPO Delhi to Chatta Rail Chowk - S P Mukherjee Marg - H C Sen Marg to Yamuna Bazar Chowk - Chandni Chowk Road - Fountain Chowk to Red Fort - Nishad Raj Marg - Ring Road to Netaji Subhash Marg - Esplanade Road and Link Road - to Netaji Subhash Marg - Ring Road - Rajghat to ISBT Kashmere Gate Historic first on I-Day 2026, focus on youth In a historic first, the national song Vande Mataram will be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the first time at this year’s Independence Day celebrations. The national song will be sung when PM Modi arrives at Red Fort, after which he will hoist the national flag and deliver his customary address to the nation. Focus will also remain on the youth this time, with “150 Years of Vande Mataram” and “Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047” being the two big themes. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh had said that the Yuva Shakti theme was decided independently of the recent developments at Jantar Mantar, which saw a huge student protest against the NEET paper leak.