After sunset on the evening of Thursday 14 August, the exterior façade of the Library of Birmingham will be lit up orange, white and green to mark the eve of India Independence Day 2025.

India's independence day

India celebrates Independence Day every year on 15 August. It marks the country’s independence from the UK in 1947.

The day also remembers the Indian Independence Act, which gave India the power to make its own laws. At first, India kept King George VI as head of state. It became a republic on 26 January 1950, when it adopted its own constitution.

India’s independence movement was led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress. It used peaceful protest and civil disobedience.

Independence also led to the partition of British India into India and Pakistan, which caused violence and the displacement of around 15 million people.

On 15 August 1947, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru raised the national flag at the Red Fort in Delhi. This tradition continues today, with the current prime minister giving a speech to the nation.

Celebrations include flag-raising ceremonies, parades and cultural events across India. The national broadcaster Doordarshan shows the events live.

Article published: 13 August 2025