New Delhi, Aug 13: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is seized of the issue of proliferation of a large number of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations or Satellite Internet constellations causing accumulation of Space debris and is taking all possible steps for its mitigation and prevention, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh, said in a reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

ISRO’s ‘Debris Free Space Mission’ will play a key role in safeguarding space assets and limiting further generation of debris through Active Debris Removal (ADR) and other means, the Minister added.

Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that satellite constellations for internet connectivity typically consist of a few thousand satellites, significantly increasing collision risks in orbital regions around their respective orbital shells. While many large constellations have autonomous collision avoidance capabilities, some satellites may fail on-orbit and may not be capable of manoeuvring to avoid collisions.

The Minister further noted that small-sized untrackable debris poses an additional risk, as such debris cannot be avoided through collision avoidance or adequately shielded against. An impact can cause mission-ending damage, rendering a satellite non-functional and generating further debris. Given the large number of satellites involved, the aggregate risk of debris creation is significant. He also pointed out that any fragmentation event, whether caused by a collision or accidental break-up near a populated orbital shell, could further escalate these risks.

Highlighting India’s institutional engagement on space debris monitoring and mitigation, Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), formed in 1993, is considered the most recognised body dealing with space debris monitoring and mitigation matters. ISRO under the Department of Space has been a member of IADC since 1996. He also stated that the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS) addresses space debris mitigation and long-term sustainability matters, including the safety of space operations.

India is represented in international fora dealing with space debris, including the IADC, UN Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (UN-STSC) Working Group on Long-Term Sustainability and Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness (SSA). Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that IADC members regularly deliberate on space debris-related matters and revise space debris mitigation guidelines in response to the evolving space debris environment. Space debris monitoring and spaceflight safety aspects are also discussed in the Long-Term Sustainability and Space Situational Awareness working groups.

He further informed that other international platforms, including the IAA Space Debris Working Group and ISO Working Group 7, provide avenues for coordination between the Department of Space and international agencies on space debris monitoring and mitigation.

On end-of-life disposal of satellites, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the Indian Space Policy mandates adoption of internationally recognised guidelines on space debris mitigation, including measures relating to end-of-life disposal, in the Indian space programme. The Debris Free Space Mission initiative, spearheaded by ISRO, is a proactive step towards implementing guidelines on end-of-life disposal of satellites.

The Minister also stated that the Norms, Guidelines and Procedures released by IN-SPACe in 2024 encourage all Indian space actors to adopt adequate post-mission disposal measures or ensure that their space assets have very limited orbital life through natural orbital decay.

Dr. Jitendra Singh identified Space Situational Awareness (SSA) as one of the most crucial enablers of long-term space sustainability. He said other important requirements include operators fulfilling technical requirements such as manoeuvrability and trackability, meeting basic obligations including registration and sharing of points of contact, and ensuring a robust regulatory framework.

The Minister further stated that wider implementation of internationally recognised space debris mitigation measures and better compliance with the requirements of the Debris Free Space Mission will play a key role in safeguarding space assets and limiting further generation of debris. He also highlighted the importance of Active Debris Removal (ADR) in curtailing the growth of space debris. Activities serving as precursors to ADR have already been initiated through on-orbit demonstrations and are expected to mature over time.

Emphasising the importance of both international cooperation and indigenous capabilities, Dr. Jitendra Singh said international collaboration and data sharing are essential for comprehensive Space Situational Awareness and long-term sustainability. At the same time, self-reliance through indigenous capacity building for space object monitoring will be pursued along with innovative measures and R&D to address emerging challenges. He also stressed the importance of raising awareness among space actors about the fragility of utilisable regions of the space environment to ensure long-term sustainability.

New Delhi, Aug 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the 80th Independence Day Celebrations from the Red Fort in Delhi on August 15, 2026. The grand event is set to commemorate 150 years of the enduring legacy of the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ and celebrate the energy, aspirations and pivotal contribution of ‘Yuva Shakti’ in driving India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047. For the first time, ‘Vande Mataram’ will be rendered during the celebrations at Red Fort.

The Ceremony
Upon his arrival at the Red Fort, the Prime Minister will be received by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The Defence Secretary will introduce the General Officer Commanding (GoC), Delhi Area Lieutenant General Rajesh Sethi to the Prime Minister. The GoC, Delhi Area will then conduct the Prime Minister to the Saluting Base where a combined Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard will present general salute to Shri Narendra Modi. Thereafter, the Prime Minister will inspect the Guard of Honour.

The Guard of Honour contingent for the Prime Minister will consist of one officer & 24 personnel each from the Army, Navy, Air Force & Delhi Police. The Indian Army is the coordinating service for the Independence Day Celebrations this year. The Guard of Honour will be commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Arjun Singh. The Army contingent in the Prime Minister’s Guard will be commanded by Major Aditya Sharma, the Naval contingent by Lieutenant Commander Neelam Rana and the Air Force contingent by Squadron Leader Vipin Kumar. The Delhi Police contingent will be commanded by Additional DCP Shri Vineet Kumar.

After inspecting the Guard of Honour, the Prime Minister will proceed to the ramparts of the Red Fort where he will be greeted by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth. The GoC, Delhi area will conduct the Prime Minister to the dais on the ramparts to hoist the National Flag.

Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan will assist the Prime Minister in hoisting the National Flag. It will be synchronised with the 21-Gun Salute by the valiant gunners of the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial). The ceremonial battery, utilising the indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns, will be commanded by Major Pawan Singh Shekhawat and the Gun Position Officer will be Naib Subedar (Assistant Instructor in Gunnery) Anuthosh Sarkar.

The National Flag Guard, comprising one officer and 32 Other Ranks each from the Army, Navy & Air Force and Delhi Police, will present the Rashtriya Salute at the time of hoisting of the National Flag by the Prime Minister. Major Lokendra Singh Shekhawat will be in command of this Inter-Services Guard and Police Guard.

The Army Contingent in the National Flag Guard will be commanded by Major Vikas Yadav, the Naval contingent by Lieutenant Commander Abhilash and the Air Force Contingent by Squadron Leader Umesh G. The Delhi Police contingent will be commanded by Additional DCP Shri Vikas Meena.

After being hoisted, the Tricolour will receive a ‘Rashtriya Salute’. The Army band, consisting of one JCO and 25 Other Ranks, will play the tune of ‘Vande Mataram’ and the national song will be sung by everyone present at Red Fort. It will be followed by the recitation of the National Anthem. The Band will be conducted by Subedar Ishwar Singh.

As soon as the National Flag is hoisted by the Prime Minister, flower petals will be showered at the venue by two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force – one trooping the national flag and the other trooping a flag depicting ‘Vande Mataram’. The captains of the helicopters will be Wing Commander Rajat and Squadron Leader Ankit Varshney.

After the showering of flower petals, the Prime Minister will address the Nation. At the conclusion of his speech, the cadets of National Cadet Corps (NCC) and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers will sing the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ followed by the National Anthem. A total of 2,500 boy & girl cadets (Army, Navy and Air Force) and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers will participate in the celebrations. These cadets & ‘My Bharat’ volunteers will be seated on Gyanpath, opposite the Rampart. They will be forming ‘वंदे मातरम्’. View cutters depicting the theme ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ will be installed at Gyanpath.

Special Guests
Approx. 5,000 Special Guests, from different walks of life, have been invited to witness the celebrations at Red Fort this year. These include: International Yoga Day Volunteers; Women Entrepreneurs under PM Mudra Yojana; Beneficiaries under NAMASTE, PM AJAY, SEED; Best performing MY Bharat Volunteers; Best performing beneficiaries of PMAY(U); Street vendors under PM SVANidhi; Urban sanitation workers under Swachh Bharat Mission; Best performing Delhi Metro workers; Best performing workers of Kartavya Path/Central Vista; Youth innovators under National Innovation Programmes; Best Innovators/Scientists in different fields; Sarthi/Cab Driver/Taxi Drivers of Bharat Taxi in Delhi; Best interns under Prime Minister Internship Scheme; Best performing start-ups supported under various schemes; Best performing Youth trained under PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana; Best performing start-ups supported under Start-up India Seed Fund; Nursing Orderlies (Ward Attendants) and other staff of Government Hospitals in Delhi; PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana beneficiaries; Artisans under PM Vishwakarma scheme; Best performing beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) Yojana; Best performing farmers under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY); and Best performing students of various quizzes, competitions etc of Delhi government schools

Over 1,500 people from various States/Union Territories dressed in traditional attire have also been invited to witness the grand ceremony.

Public Convenience
Provision of cloak room: The availability of cloak rooms was applauded by visitors during Republic Day Celebrations. For the ease of users, 25 cloak rooms at six locations have been installed for the forthcoming Independence Day Celebrations.

Volunteers at helpdesk: 200 volunteers – 100 from NCC & 100 from ‘MY Bharat’ – will assist visitors along with police personnel in reaching the enclosures. The volunteers can be identified on the way to the Red Fort.

Provision of Wheelchairs: NCC cadets will be present at metro stations and parking areas for all the visitors who need assistance with wheelchairs.

Metro Services: Metro will be operational from 4 AM on 15th August for people to reach the venue. The Metro Services will be provided free of cost to all invitees. Metro QR codes are being provided with e-invitation.

Parking facility at Parade Ground: Parking facility will be available for visitors with valid parking/labels.

Ramp facility for pedestrians: To facilitate smooth movement of pedestrians from upper Subhash Marg to lower Subhash Marg, more robust ramps and stairs have been installed.

Use of Google & Mappls Maps: On the day of the main event, traffic restrictions will be available on Google & Mappls Maps to facilitate the citizens.

Invitation Card: This year, the invitation card depicts the Seva Teerth & Dharam Chakra.

Rain Ponchos: Owing to the unpredictable weather conditions on the day of the main ceremony, rain ponchos will be provided to all invitees in Madhav Das Park and August 15 Park in addition to the dignitaries at the Rampart.

Names of Enclosures
To end VIP culture and underscore the importance of water conservation, the seating enclosures were named after rivers in Republic Day 2026. For the Independence Day Celebrations, the names of the seating enclosures have been named after major lakes of India. These include Badkhal, Bhimtal, Chandratal, Chilika, Dalpat Sagar, Dimna, Dudhsagar, Haflong, Harike, Hussain Sagar, Kanwar, Kankaria, Kolleru, Loktak, Lonar, Pangong Tso, Pulicat, Pushkar, Rabindra Sarobar, Ramgarh Tal, Rudrasagar, Sakhya Sagar, Shanti Sagar, Vembanad and Wular.

Swachhata Campaign
This year, a post-event Swachhata Campaign is being organised at Red Fort involving NCC cadets and MY Bharat Volunteer. The objective of the campaign is to ensure systematic plogging and prompt removal of garbage after dispersal of spectators right after the ceremony at Red Fort.

Drainage Management
In view of potential rainfall during the Independence Day Ceremony, several measures have been taken to prevent water overflow. Drainage and sewage systems in-and-around the Red Fort and nearby premises are being thoroughly cleaned.