Republic Day 2024: Why is the national flag hoisted on Independence Day but unfurled on Republic Day? What's the difference?

India is preparing to observe its 75th Republic Day on January 26, 2024, a significant occasion that signifies the attainment of 'Purna Swaraj' or complete self-rule. The Republic Day morning ritual involves the President unfurling the national flag, a distinctive ceremony different from the flag hoisting on Independence Day. Let's explore the distinctions between these two ceremonies.

On Independence Day, the Prime Minister raises the national flag at the iconic Red Fort, attaching it at the lower part of the flagpole before hoisting it. This act symbolizes India's liberation from British rule and the establishment of its independent identity, marking the birth of a new nation free from colonial dominance.

In contrast, Republic Day commemorates the formal adoption of the Indian Constitution. The President unfurls the national flag at Kartavya Path, tying it with flowers before unfurling it. As India had gained independence before the first Republic Day, the flag's unfurling signifies that India was already a free nation.


During the inaugural Independence Day, Lord Mountbatten, the then Governor General of India, was initially entrusted with hoisting the flag. However, given his status as a colonizer, the duty was assumed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. When Dr. Rajendra Prasad became the first President of India, he inaugurated the tradition of unfurling the flag on Republic Day, a practice upheld by Presidents since.

Another notable distinction lies in the locations of the events. The Prime Minister hoists the national flag at the Red Fort on Independence Day, followed by an address to the nation. On January 26, the President unfurls the flag at Rajpath, marking the commencement of a grand display showcasing India's diverse culture and military prowess.