India is a land of festivals, and different people celebrate differently, Independence and Republic Day are two such days which are celebrated by each Indian.
Both days are considered National days and celebrated quite similarly, and many people get confused between the two big days.
These days are celebrated to glorify the two big events held in the country’s past, Independence day, i.e. on 15 August, is celebrated as the day India got freedom and was recognized as free from any foreign rule.
Whereas Republic Day, on 26 January, is celebrated to mark the occasion when the constitution was adopted and put into force.
Key Takeaways
- Independence Day commemorates the freedom and liberation of a nation, while Republic Day signifies the nation’s adoption of a new constitution.
- Independence Day is celebrated when a country gains its freedom from colonial powers, while Republic Day marks its establishment as a republic.
- Independence Day is celebrated with parades, fireworks, and cultural events, while Republic Day is celebrated with a grand military parade showcasing the country’s defense capabilities and cultural diversity.
Independence Day vs Republic Day
Independence Day is a day that marks the country’s independence or freedom from foreign rule where, in India, Independence Day is celebrated on August 15th every year. Republic Day celebrates the country’s adoption of a constitution and the establishment of a republic form of government.
The term Independence itself denotes the meaning of the day, which is the day of achieving independence.
In a political sense, In India, independence day celebrates the day as an achievement of freedom from the long-ruling East India Company and the British Crown.
The Prime minister hoists the national flag and addresses the nation from the Red Fort every year.
The term republic means to have an elected government or an elected leader. In India, we officially became a republic nation on 26 January 1950, when a sacred document declared the characteristics of India as a nation.
On 26 January, The President is the chief guest of the function at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Independence day | Republic day |
|---|---|---|
| Date | Celebrated to mark the date 15 august 1947 | The date is marked on 26 January 1950. |
| Historical Importance | commemorating the nation’s independence from the British, the day at which legislative sovereignty was transferred to the Indian constituent assembly. | This day enforced the Indian independence act 1947, transferring the supreme law-making powers to the Indian constituent assembly. |
| Celebration | This day is celebrated in memory of freedom fighters, soldiers, and leaders who died for India to achieve freedom. The tricolor flag is hoisted by the Prime minister, several parades, dances, patriotic songs are being presented, and At the end of the day, The president’s speech is broadcast on television. Schools, colleges, and government institutions throughout India celebrate the day. | India’s defense capacity, cultural and social heritage are being presented through parades and shows. The president’s bodyguard and a two hundred cavalry unit march to stage, where they sing the national anthem. The ceremony of beating retreat is held in the evening. Schools, colleges, and government institutions celebrate this day throughout India. |
| Venue | Celebrated at red fort, new Delhi | At Rashtrapati Bhawan, new Delhi |
| Chief Guest | Independence day observes The prime minister of India as chief guest. | Republic Day observes The president of India as chief guest. |
What is Independence Day?
It was on 15 August 1947 India officially gained Independence from the long 200 years of colonial rule. This day enforced the Indian independence act of 1947, transferring the supreme law-making powers to the Indian constituent assembly.
The First prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, hoisted the Indian national flag for the first time in independent India at the red fort, Delhi.
From Then till now, i.e. 2021, we are celebrating 75 years of freedom every year at red fort, after the flag hoisting and speech of the prime minister, several parades, dance shows, and patriotic songs are being presented.
The entire event is being broadcast on Doordarshan. Being one of the three national importance days, it is observed as a holiday throughout the nation.
What is Republic Day?
It was on 26 January 1950 when Our Constitution came into effect, replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document.
This was the day India presented itself as a Sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic. From this day, India entered into a new era of a complete sovereign commonwealth nation, where The president would be the nominal head.
Framing of The constitution was completed on 26 November 1949, which is also mentioned in The preamble of our constitution, but it became completely enforced on 26 January 1950 because it was on this day in 1929, The Indian national congress claimed the Purna Swaraj for India.
The republic day parade is organized by the Ministry of Defense in Delhi. Different regiments of the Indian army, navy and air force showcase beautiful presentations.
On 26 January evening, the Padma Awards, which are given in three categories of Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, are being distributed by the President.
Main Differences Between Independence Day and Republic Day
- It was 15 August 1947 as the official date of independence, whereas it was after 5 years, that is, 26 January 1950, India got its supreme document, the Constitution of India. Marking the Socialist, secular, sovereign, and democratic republic status of the state.
- Both days are celebrated in Delhi, but Independence Day is celebrated at Red Fort, Whereas Republic Day is celebrated at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
- The prime minister of India hosts the flag and addresses the nation as chief guest on Independence Day, whereas on Republic Day, The president of India is the chief guest who addresses the nation.
- Celebrations of both days are quite similar, but one such difference anyone can point out is that twenty-one gunshots are fired in honour of our freedom fighters and leaders on Independence Day. Cultural programs are being presented by various government and non-government schools and institutions. But on Republic Day, with all these, The Indian army, navy, and air force demonstrate beautiful presentations.
- On the eve of independence day, the president of India addresses the nation through a televised speech, whereas Padma awards are given by the President on the evening of Republic Day.
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00358530802327829
- https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/afr1985/2001/20/2001_112/_article/-char/ja/
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
