Independence Day 2025 Highlights: India marks its 79th Independence Day on Friday, 15 August.
WATCH PM Modi addressing the country on I-Day with Financial Express
PM Modi’s ‘mega’ GST announcement
In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that a “next-gen GST” will be introduced by Diwali, promising a double bonanza for Indians. He said the new system would substantially reduce GST rates on various items, easing the tax burden for households and businesses alike. The reform aims to simplify compliance, widen the tax base, and boost consumption. PM Modi framed the move as part of his government’s vision for a Viksit Bharat, adding that the festival season would mark not only cultural celebrations but also a significant step towards economic relief and growth.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police have issued a traffic advisory for Friday from 4 am to 10 am. Several main roads near the Red Fort will be closed or diverted, including stretches of Netaji Subhash Marg, Lothian Road, and SP Mukherjee Marg.
Security beefed up in Delhi
Security has been stepped up across the city. Snipers will be positioned on tall buildings, CCTV monitoring will be increased, and more than 11,000 security personnel and 3,000 traffic police will be deployed in and around the Red Fort to ensure the celebrations go smoothly, according to the news agency PTI.
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation on the eve of the occasion, paying tribute to the country’s freedom fighters.
She also cited the country’s response to terrorism through Operation Sindoor, saying, “I believe Operation Sindoor will go down in history as an example in humanity’s fight against terrorism.” The President further spoke about the nation’s economic progress, highlighting a 6.5% GDP growth, rapid infrastructure development and initiatives like Make-in-India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. The President urged everyone to work together to make India a developed country by 2047.
79th Independence Day 2025 Live Updates: The flag hoisting will be followed by a 21-gun salute by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial).
Independence Day 2025 Live Updates: PM Modi addresses country from Red Fort
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “In the past few days, we have been facing natural disasters, landslides, cloudbursts, and many other calamities. Our sympathies are with the affected people. State governments and the central government are working together with full strength on rescue operations, relief efforts, and rehabilitation work. Today, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I have the opportunity to salute the brave soldiers of Operation Sindoor.”
“PM salutes Operation Sindoor heroes from Red Fort. ‘The way the terrorists targeted Indians on the basis of their religion, children watched their father being shot. Our braves punished the Pakistani terrorists and their handlers. We destroyed Pakistan. The government gave a free hand to the Army to avenge Pahalgam terrorists,” PM Modi.
He added, “India will not tolerate Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail.’
Independence Day 2025 Live Updates: ‘140 cr Indian united behind Tricolour’ – PM Modi
PM Modi pays homage to farmers in I-Day speech, says ‘140 cr Indian united behind Tricolour’. He also said that the Indian Constitution has been guiding the country for the past 78 years.
Independence Day 2025 Live Updates: PM Modi addresses the nation from Red Fort
PM Modi addresses the nation on the occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day.
Independence Day 2025 Live Updates: PM Modi to address nation shortly
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation shortly. He was seen inspecting the Guard of Honour a the Red Fort. The PM also took to X (formerly twitter) and extended his congratulations to the countrymen.
Independence Day 2025 Live Updates: PM Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat – WATCH
PM Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
#watch | Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, in Delhi, on #independenceday
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025
(Video: DD) pic.twitter.com/3ecTwDdQXB
Independence Day 2025 Live Updates: Amit Shah wishes Indians – ‘Let’s build a self-reliant India in every field’
“Heartfelt congratulations to all countrymen on Independence Day. I pay homage to the freedom fighters who sacrificed everything in the independence movement. I also salute the brave soldiers who work tirelessly day and night for the unity, integrity, and pride of the nation. Let us all come together to fulfill the dreams of the immortal martyrs of the freedom struggle and resolve to contribute our utmost to building a developed, self-reliant, and exemplary India in every field,” reads Home Minister Amit Shah’s post on X.
समस्त देशवासियों को स्वतंत्रता दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 15, 2025
आजादी के आंदोलन में अपना सर्वस्व अर्पित करने वाले स्वाधीनता सेनानियों को नमन करता हूँ।
साथ ही, देश की एकता, अखंडता और स्वाभिमान के लिए दिन-रात एक करने वाले वीर जवानों का भी वंदन करता हूँ।
आइए, हम सब मिलकर स्वतंत्रता… pic.twitter.com/ZPMbTkXQeu
Independence Day 2025 Live Updates: Visuals from LoC Tangdhar where Indian Army showcases Op Sindoor weapons – WATCH
Indian Army showcases air defence system that shot down Pakistani drones during Operation Sindoor.
#watch | J&K | Indian Army showcases air defence system that shot down Pakistani drones during Operation Sindoor
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025
(Visuals from LoC Tangdhar) pic.twitter.com/67a2b3yHDF
Independence Day 2025 Live Updates: Visuals from Lal Chowk in Srinagar – WATCH
Visuals from the iconic Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk in Srinagar.
#watch | J&K: Visuals from the iconic Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on #independenceday2025 this morning. pic.twitter.com/nG6PyydMQx
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025
Independence Day 2025 Live Updates: PM Modi gives greetings on X
PM Modi gives heartfelt Independence Day greetings
आप सभी को स्वतंत्रता दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। मेरी कामना है कि यह सुअवसर सभी देशवासियों के जीवन में नया जोश और नई स्फूर्ति लेकर आए, जिससे विकसित भारत के निर्माण को नई गति मिले। जय हिंद!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2025