The complete operational roadmap and detailed ceremonial protocol for the national celebration of the 80th Independence Day at Delhi's historical Red Fort have been finalized. Upon arrival at the complex, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh will also be present and will formally introduce the Prime Minister to Lieutenant General Rajesh Sethi, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Delhi Area. The GOC Delhi Area will then escort the Prime Minister directly to the Saluting Base, where a joint contingent of the Armed Forces and Delhi Police will present the General Salute. Immediately following the salute, the Prime Minister will inspect the Guard of Honour.
Structure and Leadership of the Guard of Honour Contingent
The specialized Guard of Honour squad comprises personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police, with each service contributing 1 officer and 24 personnel. For the 80th Independence Day proceedings, the Indian Army serves as the primary coordinating service. The overall Guard of Honour will be commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Arjun Singh. Major Aditya Sharma will lead the Army contingent within the Prime Minister's Guard, while Lieutenant Commander Neelam Rana heads the Naval contingent. The Air Force contingent will be commanded by Squadron Leader Vipin Kumar, and Additional DCP Vineet Kumar will lead the Delhi Police detachment.
Reception at the Ramparts and Flag Hoisting Ceremony
Following the inspection of the Guard of Honour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will proceed toward the ramparts of the Red Fort. He will be welcomed at the ramparts by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, alongside Chief of Defence Staff General N. S. Raja Subramani, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, and Chief of the Army Staff General Dheeraj Seth. The GOC Delhi Area will then conduct the Prime Minister to the ceremonial dais, where Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan will assist him in unfurling the National Flag.
21-Gun Salute via 105 mm Field Guns and National Salute
As the National Flag is raised, gunners of the 1721 Field Battery will deliver the ceremonial 21-gun salute using indigenous 105 mm Light Field Guns. The Ceremonial Battery will be commanded by Major Pawan Singh Shekhawat, with Naib Subedar Anutosh Sarkar serving as the Gun Position Officer. Synchronized with the flag hoisting, a National Salute will be presented by a joint guard of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police, consisting of 1 officer and 32 other ranks from each service. Major Lokendra Singh Shekhawat will command the overall Inter-Services and Police Guard. The individual service detachments will be led by Major Vikas Yadav for the Army, Lieutenant Commander Abhilash for the Navy, Squadron Leader Umesh G. for the Air Force, and Additional DCP Vikas Meena for the Delhi Police.
Rendition of Vande Mataram and Aerial Flower Petal Shower
Following the National Salute, an Army band consisting of 1 JCO and 25 other ranks, conducted by Subedar Ishwar Singh, will play the tune of 'Vande Mataram'. Attendees at the Red Fort will join together to sing the National Song, followed immediately by the solemn rendition of the National Anthem. As the flag is unfurled, two Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters will perform a flower petal shower over the venue. One helicopter will fly carrying the National Flag, while the second will bear a flag inscribed with 'Vande Mataram'. The helicopters will be piloted by Wing Commander Rajat and Squadron Leader Ankit Varshney.
Prime Minister's Address and Formations at Gyan Path
Subsequent to the aerial display, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation from the ramparts. Upon conclusion of his speech, NCC cadets and MY Bharat volunteers will sing the National Song and the National Anthem. A total of 2,500 cadets representing the Army, Navy, and Air Force will take part in the event. Positioned at Gyan Path directly facing the ramparts, the cadets will sit in a disciplined formation spelling out 'Vande Mataram'. In addition, specialized view cutters illustrating the 'Viksit Bharat @2047' theme have been erected along Gyan Path.
Dignified Attendance of 5,000 Special Invites
To mark the historic occasion, approximately 5,000 special guests representing diverse sectors of society have been invited to the Red Fort. The invitee list features dedicated volunteers from the International Day of Yoga, women entrepreneurs under the PM Mudra Yojana, and beneficiaries of the NAMASTE scheme, PM-AJAY, and SEED scheme. Additionally, top-performing volunteers from MY Bharat, leading beneficiaries of PMAY, street vendors under the PM SVANidhi scheme, urban sanitation workers under the Swachh Bharat Mission, and top-performing employees of the Delhi Metro will be present as special guests.
