Celebrated on 15th of August every year, India Independence Day marks the end of 190-year-long British rule in India. In 1947, India was declared as a free country on this day.
In 2024, India will complete 78 years as an independent nation.
Independence Day Information
| English | Independence Day |
| Hindi | स्वतंत्रता दिवस |
| Observed by | India |
| Type | National |
| Significance | Independence Day of India |
| Celebrations | Flag hoisting, parade and kite flying |
| Date | 15-Aug |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First Observed Year | 1947 |
| Type of holiday | Public holiday, National day |
Independence Day History and Significance
Independence Day 2024 | Independence Day History and Significance
In 1757, the East India Company defeated the last Nawab of Bengal in the Battle of Plassey, which marked the beginning of British rule in India. The Indian Rebellion or the First War of Independence took place in 1857 which was a major yet unsuccessful uprising against British rule.
In the year 1885, India’s first political party, the Indian National Congress was formed. After the conclusion of World War I in 1918, Indian activists called for self-rule or ‘Swaraj’.
In 1929, the Indian National Congress declared ‘Purna Swaraj’ or the Independence of India at an assembly in Lahore. Finally, after a series of sessions and meetings between the British government and the Indian National Congress, Lord Mountbatten who served as the last viceroy of pre-independent India, agreed to the proposal.
On 15th August 1947, Lord Mountbatten partitioned British India into two new independent nations; India and Pakistan. This marked the first India Independence Day 1947.
Independence Day Celebrations across India
Independence Day 2024 | Independence Day celebration
On this day, the national flag of India is hoisted at multiple public places; Prime Minister unfurls the national flag at Red Fort in Delhi to commemorate this historical event. Along with the flag-hoisting ceremony, parade, and folk dance performances also take place. Multiple festivities take place in different parts of the nation.
Academic institutions including schools and colleges, host a special ceremony for enlightening the students about the historical significance of this day. Children fly tri-coloured kites to celebrate this occasion.
Streets, buildings, and public spaces are adorned with the national flag, tri-coloured buntings, and decorative lights. It is customary to distribute sweets, particularly laddoos, as a gesture of joy and harmony. People exchange sweets with friends, neighbours, and colleagues, spreading the festive spirit of India Independence Day. The flag hoisting ceremony at the Red Fort in Delhi is telecast live on national television and streamed online along with many patriotic Indian films to watch on Independence Day.
Kite flying is a popular tradition associated with Independence Day. People of all ages gather on rooftops and open grounds to fly colourful kites, symbolizing the freedom and aspirations of the nation. People share their Independence Day images and videos of celebrations on social media platforms.
Independence Day: Flag Hoisting at Red Fort
Every year The Prime Minister of India hoists the flag at the Red Fort followed by a speech acknowledging the people of India, its achievements, challenges, and the government’s vision for the nation. The hoisting of the national flag is a symbolic expression of India’s rise as an independent nation and the end of British rule. The ceremony at the Red Fort is also an expression of gratitude and respect to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for a free India.
The Independence Day celebration at the Red Fort also features captivating cultural performances by artists from different parts of the country. These performances showcase the diverse cultural heritage of India through music, dance, and other traditional art forms. The vibrant and patriotic atmosphere generated by these performances adds to the festive spirit of the occasion.
Independence Day 2024 Theme
The theme for the 76th Independence Day in India was ‘Nation First, Always First,’ which was held as part of the events under ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mohatsav.’ The government decided to do various programs under this initiative which celebrated different cultures of the country.
Places to Observe Independence Day Celebration in India
- Delhi
- Ahmedabad
- Amritsar
Year-Wise Independence Day Observances
| YEAR | DAY | DATE | Event/Festival |
| 2015 | Sat | 15-Aug | Independence Day |
| 2016 | Mon | 15-Aug | Independence Day |
| 2017 | Tue | 15-Aug | Independence Day |
| 2018 | Wed | 15-Aug | Independence Day |
| 2019 | Thu | 15-Aug | Independence Day |
| 2020 | Sat | 15-Aug | Independence Day |
| 2021 | Sun | 15-Aug | Independence Day |
| 2022 | Mon | 15-Aug | Independence Day |
| 2023 | Tue | 15-Aug | Independence Day |
| 2024 | Thur | 15-Aug | Independence Day |
| 2025 | Fri | 15-Aug | Independence Day |
Other Festivals in India with Holiday Type
| Festivals in India | Day | Date | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Mon | 01-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Lohri | Sat | 13-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Makar Sankranti | Sun | 14-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Pongal | Mon | 15-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti | Wed | 17-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Republic Day | Fri | 26-Jan | Gazetted Holiday |
| Losar | Sat | 10-Feb | Restricted Holiday |
| Basant Panchmi | Wed | 14-Feb | Restricted Holiday |
| Guru Ravidas Jayanti | Sat | 24-Feb | Gazetted Holiday |
| Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti | Wed | 6-Mar | Restricted Holiday |
| Mahashivratri | Fri | 8-Mar | Gazetted Holiday |
| Holi | Mon | 25-March | Gazetted Holiday |
| Good Friday | Fri | 29-Mar | Gazetted Holiday |
| Easter Day | Sun | 31-Mar | Restricted Holiday |
| Gudi Padwa | Tue | 9-Apr | Restricted Holiday |
| Eid-ul-Fitr | Wed | 10-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Vaisakhi (Vishu) | Sat | 13-Apr | Restricted Holiday |
| Rama Navami | Wed | 17-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Mahavir Jayanti | Sun | 21-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Rabindra Jayanti | Wed | 8-May | Restricted Holiday |
| Buddha Purnima (Vesak) | Thu | 23-May | Gazetted Holiday |
| Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) | Mon | 17-Jun | Restricted Holiday |
| Rath Yatra | Sun | 7-Jul | Gazetted Holiday |
| Muharram (Ashura) | Wed | 17-Jul | Gazetted Holiday |
| Independence Day | Thu | 15-Aug | Gazetted Holiday |
| Parsi New Year’s Day (Nauraz) | Thu | 15-Aug | Public Holiday |
| Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) | Mon | 19-Aug | Restricted Holiday |
| Janmashtami | Mon | 26-Aug | Restricted Holiday |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | Sat | 7-Sep | Restricted Holiday |
| Onam | Sun | 15-Sep | Restricted Holiday |
| Milad-un-Nabi or Id-e- Milad | Mon | 16-Sep | Gazetted Holiday |
| Gandhi Jayanti | Wed | 02-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Dussehra | Sat | 12-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Valmiki Jayanti | Thu | 17-Oct | Restricted Holiday |
| Karva Chauth | Sun | 20-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Dhanteras | Tue | 29-Oct | Restricted Holiday |
| Kali Puja | Thu | 31-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Halloween Day | Thu | 31-Oct | No Holiday |
| Diwali | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Lakshmi Puja | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Karnataka Rajyotsava | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Kerala Piravi | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Govardhan Puja | Sat | 2-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Bhai Dooj | Sun | 3-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Chhath Puja | Thu | 7-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | Fri | 15-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Christmas | Wed | 25-Dec | Public Holiday |
FAQs
Q. How is Happy Independence Day 2024 celebrated in India?
A. People greet each other by saying “Happy Independence Day”, distributing sweets, decorating their houses with the tricolour and national flag, and fly kites. People tell stories to children about Independence Day and the struggles of freedom fighters.
Q. Why Independence Day is celebrated?
A. Celebrated on the 15th of August every year, India Independence Day marks the end of 190-year-long British rule in India. In 1947, India was declared a free country on this day.
Q. How many years of Independence Day is 2024?
A. In 2024, India will celebrate 78 years of Independence from the British.
Q. When is American Independence Day?
A. The American Independence Day is celebrated on July 4th.
Q. Who hoists the national flag at Red Fort on Independence Day?
A. The Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag on the Red Fort on Independence Day.
Q. What is the difference between Independence Day and Republic Day?
A. Independence Day marks the nation’s Independence from British rule in 1947. 26 January Republic Day marks the day when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950.
Q. Which Independence Day will be celebrated in 2024?
A. In 2024, India will celebrate its 77th Independence Day.