Gen Z, ‘Vande Mataram’ to take centre stage at Red Fort on August 15

A glimpse of the full-dress rehearsal ahead of the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, in New Delhi, on August 13, 2026.

| Photo Credit: ANI

The energy and aspirations of Gen Z and ‘Yuva Shakti’ will take centre stage at the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on August 15. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the celebrations and the National ong ‘Vande Mataram’ will be rendered at the historic venue for the first time.The celebrations will commemorate 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’ and highlight the contribution of young Indians to the country’s journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047.According to the Ministry of Defence, around 2,500 NCC cadets and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers, including boys and girls from the Army, Navy and Air Force, will participate in the ceremony, seated along Gyanpath opposite the Red Fort ramparts.After the Prime Minister hoists the national flag, the Army band will play ‘Vande Mataram’, followed by the National Anthem. After Mr. Modi’s address concludes, the NCC cadets and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers will again sing the National Song, followed by the National Anthem.The Prime Minister will be received at the Red Fort by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. At the ramparts, he will be received by the Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force.