Will also launch National Voters’ Day
New Delhi, Jan 24: President Droupadi Murmu will deliver her traditional address to the nation on Sunday, on the eve of Republic Day, which will be celebrated across India on Monday, the President’s Office said on Saturday.
The annual Presidential speech, a significant moment in the country’s democratic calendar, will be broadcast and telecast across the nation, reaching millions of citizens in multiple languages.
According to official information, the address will begin at 7 p.m. on Sunday and will be carried live on the entire national network of Akashvani (All India Radio) and telecast over all television channels of Doordarshan.
The President’s message will first be delivered in Hindi, followed by the English version.
This ensures that the Presidential speech is accessible to a wide audience across the country.
Following the Hindi and English broadcasts, Doordarshan’s regional channels will carry the address in various regional languages, allowing people in different states to hear the President’s words in their mother tongue.
Akashvani will also broadcast regional language versions from 9:30 p.m. onwards on Sunday on its respective regional networks, ensuring that the message resonates across India’s diverse linguistic landscape.
The President’s address on the eve of Republic Day is a tradition that dates back to the early years of the Republic of India.
It serves as a moment of reflection on the nation’s journey, achievements, and challenges, while also setting the tone for the celebrations on January 26.
Citizens across the country look forward to the President’s speech as it often highlights the Union government’s vision, the importance of unity, and the values enshrined in the Constitution.
Republic Day itself marks the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950, a milestone that transformed the nation into a Sovereign Democratic Republic.
The President’s speech, delivered just hours before the grand Republic Day Parade and celebrations, is considered one of the most important annual addresses to the nation.
With arrangements in place for simultaneous broadcasts in Hindi, English, and regional languages, the Union government aims to ensure that President Murmu’s message reaches every corner of the country.
President of India Droupadi Murmu will on Sunday kick off celebrations on the 16th National Voters’ Day (NVD-2026) by handing over Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) to the newly-enrolled young electors, an official said on Saturday.
This year, the theme of the event is ‘My India, My Vote’ with the tagline, “Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy”.
President Murmu will preside over the function as the Chief Guest and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal will be the Guest of Honour.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would be leading the event, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, said a statement issued by the ECI.
During the event President Murmu will distribute the Best Electoral Practices Awards in different categories including effective use of technology, election management and logistics, innovative voter awareness, implementation and enforcement of Model Code of Conduct, training and capacity building, along with other special awards and awards for the media.
The National Voters’ Day will also see the launch of two publications – ‘2025: A year of Initiatives and Innovations’ and ‘Chunav Ka Parv, Bihar Ka Garv’, a publication on the successful conduct of General Elections in Bihar.
A video reflecting the ECI’s global leadership in electoral management and democratic development shall also be screened on the occasion, said the statement.
An exhibition showcasing various aspects of the elections, including preparation of Electoral Rolls and the Conduct of Elections, will also be organised. It will also highlight the recent initiatives taken by ECI for the benefit of the voters and the successful conduct of the Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections in 2025.
The NVD celebrations are also conducted simultaneously throughout the country at the State and District levels through the offices of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) and District Election Officers (DEOs) respectively.
Booth Level Officers (BLOs) also organise events at their respective polling station locations and shall felicitate the newly registered voters and hand over the EPIC to the new electors, said the statement.
