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Republic Day, Independence Day and our national days

Learn why 15 August and 26 January are special, what happened on each date, how they are celebrated, and the rules for respecting the flag.

Get the whole book: General knowledge for classes 3 to 5 (7 lessons, free to print)

Let us begin

The big idea

Twice a year the whole country wakes up early for flag hoisting, songs and parades. But do you know why 15 August and 26 January are different from each other? In this lesson you will learn the story behind our national days.

For about 200 years India was ruled by the British. After a long freedom struggle led by many leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, India became free on 15 August 1947. This day is Independence Day. Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of free India.

A free country needs its own rules. A group of leaders, with Dr B. R. Ambedkar as chairman of the drafting committee, wrote the Constitution of India. It was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950. From that day India became a republic, a country whose head is chosen by the people, not a king. Dr Rajendra Prasad became the first President. This day is Republic Day.

On Independence Day the Prime Minister hoists the flag at the Red Fort in Delhi and gives a speech to the nation. On Republic Day the President unfurls the flag in New Delhi, and a grand parade shows the armed forces, tableaux from the states and children who have won bravery awards. Schools across India hold flag hoisting, songs and sweets on both days.

India has three national holidays: 26 January, 15 August and 2 October, which is Gandhi Jayanti, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, born in 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat.

The national flag has three bands, saffron at the top, white in the middle and green at the bottom, with a navy blue Ashoka Chakra of 24 spokes in the centre. The flag must never touch the ground, must not be torn or dirty, and should be flown with saffron on top. When the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, is sung, we stand still and straight.

Timeline of India's national days and the national flagA timeline with four marked years: 1869 Gandhi born on 2 October, 1947 Independence Day on 15 August, 1949 Constitution adopted on 26 November, and 1950 Republic Day on 26 January. Below the timeline is the national flag with saffron, white and green bands and a blue wheel of 24 spokes in the centre. 1869 2 October Gandhi born 1947 15 August Independence 1949 26 November Constitution adopted 1950 26 January Republic Day Our national days Saffron: courage White: peace, truth Ashoka Chakra: 24 spokes Green: growth Saffron always on top
Four dates to remember, and the flag we raise on our national days.

Worked examples

See how it works

  1. Hoisted or unfurled?

    On 15 August the flag is tied at the bottom of the pole and pulled up: it is hoisted, to show a new nation rising. On 26 January the flag is already at the top, folded, and is opened out: it is unfurled, because the country was already free and was now getting its own constitution.

  2. Counting the years

    India became free in 1947. In 2026 it has been free for 2026 − 1947 = 79 years. The republic began in 1950, so in 2026 the republic is 2026 − 1950 = 76 years old.

  3. Reading the flag

    Saffron stands for courage and sacrifice, white for peace and truth, and green for growth and the land. The Ashoka Chakra with its 24 spokes is the wheel of law, showing that life is movement and that the nation must keep moving forward.

Try it at home

Make a national days timeline

You will need

  • A long strip of paper or three sheets joined with tape
  • A pencil and any colours you have
  • A ruler or a straight edge

What to do

  1. Draw a long line across the strip and mark four points evenly: 1869, 1947, 1949 and 1950.
  2. At each point write what happened: Gandhi born, Independence, Constitution adopted, Republic Day.
  3. Draw a small flag at 1947 and a small book at 1949, with the right colours.
  4. Add the date and month under each event, such as 15 August under 1947.
  5. Show it to someone at home and explain each event in one sentence.

Practice sheet

Check what you learned

Write your answers in a notebook, or print this sheet and write on it. When you finish, mark your work with the answer key.

Practice sheet: Republic Day, Independence Day and our national days (Classes 3-5, General knowledge)

  1. On which date did India become free?
  2. What do we call 15 August?
  3. On which date did the Constitution of India come into force?
  4. What do we call 26 January?
  5. Who was the first Prime Minister of free India?
  6. Who was the first President of India?
  7. Where does the Prime Minister hoist the flag on Independence Day?
  8. What is the difference between hoisting and unfurling the flag?
  9. Name the three national holidays of India.
  10. How many spokes does the Ashoka Chakra have?
  11. Which colour must be at the top when the flag is flown?
  12. What should you do when the national anthem is sung?

Answer key

Answers: Republic Day, Independence Day and our national days

Do the practice sheet first, then check here. If an answer is different from yours, read the lesson again and try once more.

  1. 15 August 1947.
  2. Independence Day.
  3. 26 January 1950.
  4. Republic Day.
  5. Jawaharlal Nehru.
  6. Dr Rajendra Prasad.
  7. At the Red Fort in Delhi.
  8. Hoisting means pulling the flag up from the bottom of the pole (15 August); unfurling means opening a flag already tied at the top (26 January).
  9. 26 January (Republic Day), 15 August (Independence Day) and 2 October (Gandhi Jayanti).
  10. 24.
  11. Saffron.
  12. Stand still and straight, and show respect.

What next

Keep learning

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General knowledge for classes 3 to 5

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