Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his Independence Day address that piped gas connections had expanded from just 70 cities previously to 700 cities today. Piped gas reaching 1.75 crore households today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has set up semiconductor plants as part of its push toward “aatmanirbhar”, with production already under way, and that several countries were now depending on India for critical minerals. He described energy security as “the demand of our times,” saying India was moving forward on alternative energy sources, with a target of 200 GW of nuclear energy and five new nuclear reactors being set up, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his Independence Day address that “it is now impossible to come in way of resolve of 140 crore Indians,” pointing to progress in piped water supply, gas connections and toilet construction as evidence the country’s success made the 2047 Viksit Bharat goal achievable. He said India “cannot march forward in the 21st century by relying on laws of the previous century,” and that the country must become self-reliant rather than dependent on other nations, adding that Indians were increasingly embracing “Vocal for Local” and Swadeshi products.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed recent flooding across parts of the country, saying “in the last few days, some parts of the country have witnessed floods, which have affected many people,” and assured affected families “that the whole country stands by them.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort that the world had once dismissed India’s economy as part of the “fragile five,” but 12 years of collective effort had transformed it into a major global economy. He credited the shift to sustained public effort aimed at putting India on a path of development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has set its sights on becoming a “Viksit Bharat,” or developed nation, by 2047, when the country marks 100 years of independence, in his address from the Red Fort. He said the nation’s dreams and resolve should be ambitious, as this pushes capabilities to greater heights, adding that the world would be forced to view India differently once the world’s most populous country achieves developed status.

Speaking from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the whole country was celebrating with the spirit of “Vande Mataram,” using the Hindi phrase “har ghar Tiranga, har mann Tiranga” to describe the tricolour flying in every home and heart. He also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and the freedom fighters who fought for India’s independence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation.

Prime Narendra Modi hoists the Indian flag at the Red Fort premises setting off the start of the Independence Day celebrations after the Vande Mataram and the national anthem. He earlier had inspected the guard of honour at the Red Fort ahead of his address to the nation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi before the onset of the 80th Independence Day celebrations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated India on Independence Day in a press statement, saying the “personal relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi” had helped the US-India relationship grow “stronger than ever.” He said cooperation spanning defence, energy security, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, space and commerce was making both nations and the wider Indian Ocean region “safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”

Russia’s Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, greeted India on Independence Day, saying on X that “Russia’s support, as it was a hundred years ago, remains the same today and will continue tomorrow as well.” He said India’s development path gave “no doubt” that its aspirations would be realised.

प्रिय मित्रो,स्वतंत्रता दिवस पर शुभकामनाएँ!
भारत के तय हो चुके विकास-मार्ग पर नज़र डालकर शक नहीं रहता कि आपके सारे सपने पूरे हो जाएँगे। प्रगति की राह पर चलते हुए आप आश्वस्त रहें कि रूस का साथ जैसे सौ साल पहले था, वैसे ही वह आज भी है और कल भी रहेगा।
जय हिंद। जय रूस-हिंद की दोस्ती।

— Denis Alipov ???????? (@AmbRus_India) August 14, 2026

India’s Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan greeted the nation on its 80th Independence Day, saying on X that “Bharat’s remarkable journey since Independence is a testament to the strength of our democracy, the resilience of our people and our unwavering faith in the ideals enshrined in our Constitution.” He added: “May the Tricolour always inspire us to place the nation above all and serve Bharat with commitment, responsibility and pride.”

Heartiest greetings and best wishes to all my fellow Indians on the occasion of our 80th Independence Day.

Bharat’s remarkable journey since Independence is a testament to the strength of our democracy, the resilience of our people and our unwavering faith in the ideals… pic.twitter.com/cKBo8fsXzE

— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) August 15, 2026

India became independent in 1947, meaning the country will have completed 79 years of freedom by 15 August 2026. But Independence Day celebrations are counted differently: the first celebration, held on 15 August 1947, counts as celebration number one, making 2026’s event the 80th. In short, India completes 79 years of independence while celebrating its 80th Independence Day.
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This year’s Independence Day celebrations will mark 150 years of the national song “Vande Mataram,” which will be performed at the Red Fort for the first time. The event will also spotlight the “Yuva Shakti” — India’s youth energy and aspirations, and their role in driving the country’s journey toward Viksit Bharat by 2047.

PM Modi’s Independence Day speech will be broadcast live on CNBC-TV18 and CNBCTV18.com, along with updates on its social media and YouTube channel. The address will also air on Doordarshan, with the Press Information Bureau streaming via its YouTube channel and official X account, @PIB_India. Additional coverage will be available through the Prime Minister’s Office’s YouTube channel, DD News, PMIndia.gov.in and the National Informatics Centre’s Independence Day website.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on Independence Day, saying “powered by 140 crore Indians, our nation is scaling new heights of progress across different sectors,” in a post on X. He paid tribute to freedom fighters whose “courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment ensured the end of colonial rule,” saying their dreams continue to inspire the drive to build a “Viksit Bharat.”

Warm greetings on the occasion of Independence Day.

We remember with gratitude the countless freedom fighters whose courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment ensured the end of colonial rule. Their dreams continue to inspire us as we work together to build a Viksit Bharat.…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2026

Delhi is on high alert for Independence Day celebrations, with more than 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed across the city and a multi-layered security grid around the Red Fort involving over 1,000 CCTV cameras with AI-based video analytics, a senior police officer told PTI. Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia said the arrangements reflect lessons from “incidents witnessed in the capital last year,” with multiple screening layers at entry points and a dedicated anti-terror response mechanism. He said mock drills and advance coordination had been carried out to ensure a swift, coordinated response to any emergency, with surveillance feeds monitored from a dedicated control room to detect suspicious activity in real time.

The Centre awarded 301 Medals of Gallantry to police and fire service personnel on the eve Independence Day, with 197 going to those who served in Left Wing Extremism-affected regions, according to a government statement. In total, 1,057 personnel across police, fire, Home Guard and Civil Defence, and Correctional Services were felicitated with gallantry and service medals. Among Gallantry Medal recipients, 272 were police and 29 fire service personnel, with 197 from LWE areas, 51 from Jammu and Kashmir, 12 from the northeast, and 41 from other regions. The government also awarded 92 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 664 Medals for Meritorious Service across the relevant services.

Delhi could see a rainy Independence Day this year, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting a generally cloudy sky and a 70% chance of light rain between 4am and 6am, with another brief spell possible between 6am and 9am and light rain in the afternoon or evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 Celsius and 34 Celsius, while parts of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh could see very heavy showers, and isolated areas in the wider Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi region could see heavy rain.
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Good morning and wish you all a happy Independence Day. Follow this space for more updates about today’s celebrations.