India will celebrate its 80th Independence Day on Saturday, August 15, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the celebrations at the Red Fort in Delhi. Modi will deliver his Independence Day address from the historic monument for the 13th consecutive time.
After unfurling the Tricolour from the Red Fort ramparts, the Prime Minister will address the nation as India marks another year of independence.
Vande Mataram To Be Rendered At Red Fort
This year’s celebrations will also commemorate 150 years of the enduring legacy of the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’.
For the first time, ‘Vande Mataram’ will be rendered during the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.
The event will also focus on the energy, aspirations and pivotal contribution of ‘Yuva Shakti’ in driving India’s journey
towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.
From 2014 To 2025, Modi Gave 12 Addresses
Modi has addressed the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day 12 times so far.
His first Red Fort address came on August 15, 2014, during India’s 68th Independence Day, after he took office in May that year.
He then addressed the nation from the Red Fort every year from 2015 through 2025, without a break.
His latest address before this year was delivered on August 15, 2025, during the 79th Independence Day. It was his 12th consecutive Red Fort address.
With the 2026 address, the number will rise to 13 consecutive speeches, from 2014 through 2026.
Modi Surpasses Indira Gandhi’s Record
With 12 consecutive Independence Day speeches from the Red Fort so far, Modi has already surpassed former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s record of 11 consecutive addresses.
However, Modi still remains behind Jawaharlal Nehru, who delivered 17 consecutive Independence Day addresses between 1947 and 1963.
The 2026 address will therefore mark Modi’s 13th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort.
2025 Speech Lasted 103 Minutes
Modi’s Independence Day addresses have also varied in length.
In 2025, he delivered his longest-ever Independence Day speech, lasting 103 minutes. This surpassed his previous record of 98 minutes, set in 2024.
The 2026 Independence Day celebrations will bring together the themes of ‘Vande Mataram’, youth participation and the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, while marking Modi’s 13th consecutive address from the Red Fort.
