PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: In I-Day speech, PM hails India's ‘soft power’, lists yoga, films, gaming
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of Red Fort on August 15. He extended greetings to the nation and remembered contributions of freedom fighters.
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his customary Red Fort address on 80th Independence Day celebrations. He extended wishes to India and paid tributes to freedom fighters. ...Read More
The Independence Day celebrations in Delhi 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, have joined 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.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 08:29:37 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: Set goal to have 50 Indian firms under Fortune 500, says Mod
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: “We always talk about Fortune 500. Why shouldn't we aim to have 50 Indian companies under Fortune 500?,” PM Modi said during his Independence Day speech.
- 15 Aug 2026, 08:28:37 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: Every global artist wants to perform in India, says Modi, calls for concert economy boom
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: Every global artist wants to perform in India, PM Modi said in his Independence Day speech, adding that India should look to boost concert economy.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 08:26:53 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi heaps praise on India's ‘soft power’, says it can attract tourists
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi said India has “soft power”, namely yoga, Ayurveda, films, gaming and more. He also said that utilising India's soft power can attract tourists.
- 15 Aug 2026, 08:23:16 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: India capable of a blue economy, says PM Modi
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi listed sectors for blue economy - fisheries, coastal tourism and ocean technology.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 08:21:03 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: AI, robotics, data centre find focus in PM Modi's speech
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi said India should become an innovation hub. Emphasising how Artificial Intelligence, robotics, space, quantum and data centres are gaining prominence, PM Modi said: “Emerging technologies are challenging us every moment. We can't be a market for the world but should be an innovation hub”.
- 15 Aug 2026, 08:17:38 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi calls for boost to manufacturing sector
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: “We need components as well as complete product,” PM Modi said, calling for India to become a focal point for global supply chain.
Issuing an appeal to people in the manufacturing sector, PM Modi called for attention on “cost, quality and scale” and become competitive on global stage. “Our packaging should attract people, and our precision should become our identity,” Modi said.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 08:15:32 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: India on ‘reform express’, will move to next level in coming days, says Modi
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: India on ‘reform express’, will move to next level in coming days, said PM Modi
- 15 Aug 2026, 08:11:31 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: ‘India a respectable country for the world, has a stable govt’
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi said that India commands respect across the world and has a stable government. “This is why we have had a FTA (Free Trade Agreements) with many countries since 2014,” PM Modi said.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 08:08:12 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi recalls rumour mongering during Covid-19 pandemic
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi condemned the rumours and panic spread during the Covid-19 pandemic, saying some people were “having fun” by spreading rumours.
“By spreading all kinds of rumours from around the world, some people seemed to take pleasure in frightening Indians and keeping them immersed in fear and anxiety. But the country has seen that the well-thought-out plans of the past 10–12 years are bearing fruit,” PM Modi said.
- 15 Aug 2026, 08:06:18 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi hails India's first hydrogen-run train, calls it ‘most powerful’
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: “India began its first train run on hydrogen. I'm glad to say it is the most powerful train and I'm happy that India proved its mettle in this field,” PM Modi said, referring to the first hydrogen-powered train that ran a fresh set of trials between New Delhi and Jind in June this year.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 08:03:58 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: Modi explains how India's no-go area of sea turned into go-ahead area
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi spoke about how India remained stuck in an attitude of 'it will happen, let's see'", but how that was changed. As an example, he described how a critical sea area was turned from no-go to go-ahead for exploration purposes.
- 15 Aug 2026, 07:56:10 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: Energy security, critical minerals, semiconductors find focus in PM's speech
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi touched upon many subjects during his Independence Day address, including energy security, critical minerals and semiconductors, among others.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 07:54:01 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: ‘India can’t be dependent on other nations,' says Modi, hails semiconductor plants
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi spoke about the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ dream and said that India cannot be dependent on other nations. He also hailed India's semiconductor plants and more ambitions in the domain.
- 15 Aug 2026, 07:46:26 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: We will become Viksit Bharat in 2047, says PM Modi
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi reiterated the govt's resolve to make India ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. “In the last 12 years, every Indian has tried to take the country to new heights. That is why 25 crore Indians have broken free of poverty in such a short time,” Modi said.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 07:44:12 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: ‘When dreams are bigger, our capabilities also grow’
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi said that dreams can be fulfilled if we aim higher. “‘When dreams are bigger, our capabilities also grow,” he said in his message to Indians.
- 15 Aug 2026, 07:42:42 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi shows support for flood-affected families
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi spoke about the recent flood-related incidents in the hills and northeastern states like Assam. He showed support for flood-affected families.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 07:41:37 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi begins Red Fort speech on Independence Day
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi has begun his address. He began with wishing the country and recalling efforts of freedom fighters.
- 15 Aug 2026, 07:40:53 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: Watch Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's Vande Mataram ring out for first time from Red Fort
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: Poet Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's ‘Vande Mataram’ was played by the band at Red Fort for the first time on Independence Day.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 07:33:59 AM IST
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: Full version of Vande Mataram rings out of Red Fort on Independence Day for first time
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: The band played the full version of Vande Mataram for the first time ever during Independence Day celebrations from Red Fort.
- 15 Aug 2026, 07:29:58 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: PM Modi seen wearing red tie-and-dye turban for Red Fort address
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: PM Modi's turbans always catch attention on Independence Day. On the 80th Independence Day, he was seen wearing a red tie-and-dye turban as he arrived at Red Fort and interacted with officials.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 07:28:39 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Watch PM Modi pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: PM Modi paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in Delhi. Watch here:
- 15 Aug 2026, 07:24:53 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomes PM Modi
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other key defence officials welcomed PM Modi at Red Fort ahead of his Independence Day address.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 07:18:40 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: PM Modi's convoy arrives at Red Fort
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: PM Modi's convoy has arrived at Red Fort. He will deliver his Independence Day address from the ramparts of Red Fort shortly at 7:30am.
- 15 Aug 2026, 07:14:48 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Vande Mataram and a historic first on Independence Day
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Independence Day celebrations in Delhi 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. 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.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 07:12:03 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Why does Pakistan celebrate Independence Day one day before India?
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last viceroy of India, had told Pakistan’s Constituent Assembly back on August 14, 1947: “Tomorrow, the government of the new dominion of Pakistan will rest in your hands.”
Even so, Islamabad marks its Independence Day the day before India’s. Tap to read why.
- 15 Aug 2026, 07:09:51 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: PM Modi pays tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on Independence Day
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: PM Modi paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Delhi's Rajghat on Independence Day. He will begin his I-day address at Red Fort at 7:30am.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 07:04:33 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: How many times has PM Modi delivered I-Day address in the past?
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: As Prime Minister, Modi has delivered 12 speeches from Red Fort on Independence Day so far, with the Saturday address being his 13th. The first address was in 2014, after the NDA-led government came to power in India.
- 15 Aug 2026, 06:56:32 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Check Delhi metro timings for today
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Delhi metro operations began earlier than usual today at 4am, to facilitate guests, special invitees and others for Independence Day celebrations. Trains will run at a frequency of 30 minutes on all lines.
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.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 06:49:43 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Iran and Israel wish India on Independence Day
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Iran and Israel also extended greetings to India on 80th Independence Day. Reuven Azar, Ambassador of Israel to India, drew parallels between India and Israel's cultures and heritage.
“We are proud of the Israel and India's friendship and will continue to strengthen our partnership,” Azar said in a video message in which he also extended greetings in Hindi.
Meanwhile, The Embassy of Iran in India also extended greetings. “The longstanding and historic relations between Iran and India are rooted in the deep civilizational, cultural, and historical bonds between the two nations and have always been based on mutual respect and friendly cooperation,” a post on X read.
- 15 Aug 2026, 06:45:40 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: US extends greetings to India, hails ties between PM Modi and President Trump
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended 80th Independence Day greetings to India. In a detailed message, he hailed ties between US President Donald Trump and PM Modi.
“Thanks to the personal relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi, the U.S.-India relationship continues to grow and is stronger than ever. From defence and energy security to critical minerals, artificial intelligence, space cooperation, and commerce, our collaboration is making both of our nations, and the broader Indian Ocean region, safer, stronger, and more prosperous…,” he wrote.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 06:39:22 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Is it the 79th or the 80th Independence Day?
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Like every year, it remains a confusion for many that which Independence Day are we celebrating - 79th or 80th?
The confusion arises because people often simply subtract 1947 from the present year, which is 2026, and arrive at 79. The mistake happens because they don't factor in the first celebration itself, which happened in 1947.
Going by that logic, today marks the 80th Independence Day. Read full story here.
- 15 Aug 2026, 06:30:54 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Check HT India's YouTube channel here for live streaming of Independence Day celebrations
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: 80th Independence Day celebrations will be live streamed on HT India's YouTube channel today.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 06:27:24 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: When and where to watch PM Modi's speech LIVE?
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: If you can't make it to Red Fort to listen to PM Modi's speech in person, fret not. The speech will be live streamed across many online platforms and will also be broadcasted live on TV.
Independence day celebrations will be broadcasted across the Doordarshan network on 15th August. Live coverage will start at 6:30am, according to an official announcement by Doordarshan.
You can also watch the event on HT INDIA's YouTube channel which is scheduled to begin at 7am on August 15.
- 15 Aug 2026, 06:24:10 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: PM Modi wishes India on Independence Day, remembers freedom fighters
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a message and warm greetings to the country for 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. Powered by 140 crore Indians, our nation is scaling new heights of progress across different sectors. May this journey keep progressing at an even greater pace in the times to come,” he wrote on X.
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- 15 Aug 2026, 06:19:03 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Rain likely during Independence Day celebrations in Delhi today
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Celebrations may get marked amid very light to light rainfall in the national capital today. The Red Fort area could see a generally cloudy sky, with a spell of very light to light rain of about 5 mm expected between 4 am and 6 am on August 15, with a 70 per cent probability, the IMD said.
"The monsoon trough is expected to move northwestwards, and around August 15, a low-pressure area is likely to develop over southeast Uttar Pradesh and northern Chhattisgarh," Mahesh Palawat of Skymet said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
- 15 Aug 2026, 06:16:18 AM IST
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Where will PM Modi deliver his address from?
Independence Day 2026 LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive at Red Fort in Delhi today to deliver his Independence Day speech.
The Prime Minister hoists the national flag from the ramparts of the Red Fort and addresses the nation every Independence Day. True to the tradition, PM Narendra Modi will also hoist the tricolour on August 15.
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