India, Aug. 8 -- Every August 15, the Tricolour goes up across India, patriotic songs fill schools and public spaces, and the country remembers the struggle that ended British rule. But as Independence Day 2026 approaches, one question is creating confusion: Will India celebrate its 79th or 80th Independence Day?

The answer becomes clear once we separate two different calculations. India became independent on August 15, 1947. By August 15, 2026, the country will have completed 79 years of independence. However, because the first Independence Day celebration took place on August 15, 1947 itself, the upcoming occasion will be the 80th Independence Day celebration.

Official references also support this distinction. The government marked Au...