India is all set to celebrate its 79th Independence Day on August 15, 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the celebrations from Delhi’s historic Red Fort. This year, the theme for the day is ‘Naya Bharat, which focuses on the achievements of the nation and its goal of becoming a developed country by 2047.
PM Modi will be welcomed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defense Sanjay Seth, and Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh upon arrival at the Red Fort, as per an official statement on Wednesday. He will be greeted by the senior defense officials before being escorted to the Saluting Base.
A combined Guard of Honour, including 96 officials from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, will greet PM Modi. This year, the Air Force will coordinate the contingent, commanded by Wing Commander AS Sekhon.
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Flag Hosting Ceremony and Aerial Tribute
After meeting the Guard of Honor, the PM will head towards the ramparts, where he will be greeted by the top military leaders, including Chief of defense Staff General Anil Chahan and the service chiefs.
Flying officer Rashika Sharma will assist the prime minister during the hoisting the ‘Tiranga’. It will be timed with a 21-gun salute by the 1721 Field Battery using indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns. The National Flag Guard will present the Rashtriya Salute with 128 personnel from the armed forces.
Two Mi-17 helicopters will shower flower petals. One of them will bear the national flag, and the other will carry a flag honouring Operation Sindoor.
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Honouring ‘Naya Bharat’
The invitations will also include a logo of Operation Sindoor and a watermark of Chenab Bridge, representing ‘Naya Bharat’.
Approximately 2,500 NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers will form the Naya Bharat logo at the venue.
Special Guests
There will be over 5,000 special guests, including India’s Special Olympic team, Khelo India games gold medalists, and International sports winners. Another 1,500 invitees will attend the celebratory event in traditional dresses.
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After the flag hosting ceremony and the aerial salute, the prime minister will address the nation. His speech is expected to highlight the success of Operation Sindoor, India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack, along with the vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
The military and parliamentary bands will perform in 140 locations nationwide on Independence Day for the first time to honor Operation Sindoor and spread patriotism.
