The country marks its 77th Republic Day today, with President Droupadi Murmu leading the celebrations from Kartavya Path in New Delhi. The ceremonial parade will commence at 10:30 am and is expected to last around 90 minutes.
This year’s Republic Day parade will present a striking fusion of India’s rich cultural heritage and growing military capability. The themes for the celebrations are ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The proceedings will begin with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying a wreath at the National War Memorial, followed by the President’s arrival at Kartavya Path, where she will receive the ceremonial salute during the march-past.
Marching contingents from the Armed Forces, Paramilitary Forces, Auxiliary Civil Forces, NCC and NSS will participate in the parade. European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will attend as Chief Guests. Thirty tableaux from States, Union Territories, and Central Ministries and Departments will roll down Kartavya Path, reflecting 150 years of Vande Mataram alongside India’s progress driven by self-reliance.
The Tri-services tableau, themed ‘Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness’, will highlight the synergy and integrated strength of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Seven Indian Army marching contingents, including the animal contingent, will pass the saluting dais, while the Army will field a total of 18 marching contingents and 13 military bands. For the first time, the Army will also showcase a Battle Array Format. The celebrations will conclude with a flypast involving 29 aircraft, including Rafale, Su-30, C-295, MiG-29 and Apache helicopters. Around 2,500 artists will present cultural performances, while 10,000 Special Guests from 53 categories, including achievers in employment generation, innovation, start-ups, technology and Self Help Groups, have been invited to witness the event.
All-women Indian Coast Guard Contingent
The all-women Indian Coast Guard contingent will be led by Assistant Commandant Nishi Sharma, with Assistant Commandants Apurva Gautam Hore, Lakshita and Hardik as team members. Guided by the motto ‘Vayam Rakshamah – We Protect’, the contingent will symbolise India’s maritime strength and the Coast Guard’s role in safeguarding the nation’s 11,098-kilometre coastline.
Indian Air Force Contingent
The Indian Air Force contingent will comprise four officers, one Contingent Commander and three supernumerary officers, along with 144 airmen. Squadron Leader Jagdesh Kumar will command the contingent, assisted by Squadron Leader Nikita Choudhery, Flight Lieutenant Prakhar Chandrakar and Flight Lieutenant Dinesh. The march-past will be synchronised with a flypast featuring two Rafale, two MiG-29, two Su-30 and one Jaguar aircraft in the ‘Spearhead’ formation, symbolising the Sindoor formation.
Indian Navy Contingent
The Indian Navy contingent will include 144 young sailors, led by Lieutenant Karan Nagyal, with Lieutenant Pawan Kumar Gandi, Lieutenant Priti Kumari and Lieutenant Varun Dreveriya serving as Platoon Commanders. The naval tableau will depict the theme ‘A Strong Navy for a Strong Nation’, showcasing a stitched ship from the 5th century CE (INSV Kaundinya), Gurab-class vessels of the Maratha Navy, and modern indigenous platforms such as aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, Project 17A Nilgiri-class stealth frigates INS Himgiri and INS Udayagiri, a Kalvari-class submarine, and the GSAT-7R communication satellite.
Indian Army’s phased Battle Array Debut
For the first time, the Indian Army will present a phased Battle Array Format incorporating aerial elements. The reconnaissance segment will feature the 61 Cavalry in combat uniform, followed by the High Mobility Reconnaissance Vehicle, India’s first indigenously designed armoured light specialist vehicle. Aerial support will be provided by the indigenous Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter and its armed variant, Rudra, in Prahar formation. Combat elements will include T-90 Bhishma tanks and the Arjun main battle tank, supported from the air by Apache AH-64E and Prachand light combat helicopters. Other mechanised assets will include BMP-II infantry combat vehicles and the Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-2.
Cultural Opening and Ceremonial Highlights
Around 100 cultural artists will lead the parade with performances themed ‘Vividata Mein Ekta – Unity in Diversity’, showcasing a wide array of traditional musical instruments. Flower petals will be showered by four Mi-17 V5 helicopters of the 129 Helicopter Unit in Dhwaj formation, led by Group Captain Alok Ahlawat.
As per tradition, President Murmu will unfurl the National Flag, followed by the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute fired using indigenously developed 105 mm Light Field Guns. The salute will be presented by the 1721 Ceremonial Battery of the 172 Field Regiment, after which the President will take the salute for the parade.
EU Participation and Parade Schedule
A small European Union military contingent will also participate in the parade. The arrival of the President of India, along with the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, in the traditional buggy will be escorted by the President’s Bodyguard, the Indian Army’s senior-most regiment.
The ceremonial parade is scheduled to begin at 9:30 am, with live television coverage starting at 10:30 am. Visitor entry gates will open at 7 am. The parade will be led by Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area.
Themes and Military Showcase
The 2026 celebrations centre on 150 years of Vande Mataram and the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ segment will include special tableaux and a new musical rendition composed by MM Keeravani and sung by Shreya Ghoshal, while ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ will highlight India’s journey towards self-reliance and prosperity.
Key military platforms on display will include BrahMos and Akash missile systems, the Suryastra rocket launcher with deep-strike capability, and the Arjun main battle tank. Newly raised units such as the Bhairav light commando battalion and Shaktiban Regiment will make their debut, alongside Zanskar ponies and Bactrian camels. The mounted 61 Cavalry will appear in battle gear, reinforcing the phased battle array presentation of indigenous Army assets.
Overall, the Republic Day celebrations will underscore India’s cultural diversity, development trajectory and military strength, including representations of systems deployed during Operation Sindoor. |
