Modi Govt's August 15 Instructions to States, UTs: 'Vande Mataram' to Feature Before 'Jana Gana Mana'

New Delhi: The Union ministry of home affairs has issued fresh instructions for Independence Day celebrations on August 15, 2026. The itenerary for the day, which includes the Red Fort programme in Delhi, says the national song, 'Vande Mataram', will be sung right after the prime minister's customary speech. Thereafter, before the event closes, the national anthem will be sung.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah sang the national song on the last day of the Monsoon Session of parliament this week, for the first time after passing a law that mandates the song at official events and imposes penalties for not doing so. The rendition lasted three minutes.

The detailed instructions issued on August 10 for the Independence Day programmes across the country also say that the official celebrations at state capitals, district headquarters, sub-division and block or gram panchayat level –  everywhere outside the national capital – should begin "after 9 am".

The event at the Red Fort begins at 7:30 am as per established tradition, with the unfurling of the tricolour and the customary speech by the prime minister. Armed forces including the police will offer a guard of honour at the event and a 21-gun salute.

Petals will be showered on the event after the flag is unfurled by the prime minister in Delhi by Air Force helicopters – a  feature introduced in 2021 by the Narendra Modi government.

The document refers several times to organising the events at each level of government in ways to "promote patriotic fervour among citizens", and encourage "national integration".

Celebrations across the country typically involve unfurling the national flag, singing the national anthem and cultural events. State, district, blocks and panchayats follow distinct norms for the events on August 15.

The government has said that the 'Swachch Bharat' campaign and 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' programmes of the Union government must be part of the activities on August 15.

States and Union Territories have been told to undertake fortnight- or month-long cleanliness campaigns at prominent locations, with participation from students, youth groups and civil society organisations. The date of the instructions would indicate that these activities would continue after August 15.

Tree-planting drives have also been proposed.

As for 'Ek Bharat', the instructions say each state must invite "guests" from five other states or Union Territories for their respective ceremonies.

The idea is to "promote engagement" and "enhance mutual understanding and bonding" between people, the instructions say. The guests are to come prepared with "food/cultural" events as per the instructions. Guests are to be different from one year to the next, the instructions say, advising a system be created to circulate new guests.

"It could be considered that a person gets  an invite just once," it says.

The instructions say around 25 invitations for the events must be reserved for divyangjans, achievers, eco-warriors, Swachhagrahis, PM’s Mann Ki Baat references, Padma awardees, next-of-kin of martyrs, Olympic and other major sportspersons, exceptional educators, frontline health workers, child bravery awardees, women sarpanches, student toppers and researchers or innovators.

The instructions lay particular emphasis on the music for the ‘At Home’ reception, directing that the band at the Governor or Lieutenant Governor's house should perform patriotic songs rather than simply playing songs from films. At-Homes may commence after 6 pm.

The instructions also say that the invitation to the At  Home must be such that it becomes a souvenir that can  be "treasured for life" by the invitees.

Participation from school bands and competitions are encouraged in the instructions.

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