New Delhi, January 25: India’s 77th Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path on January 26 will place strong emphasis on the country’s security doctrine, operational preparedness and strategic resolve, with Operation Sindoor emerging as a defining reference point of the past year, alongside displays of military capability, cultural diversity and inclusive governance.
Defence Sources said the celebrations will begin with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying a wreath at the National War Memorial, followed by a solemn Inter-Services ceremony honouring fallen soldiers.
The parade will then unfold in the presence of European Council President António Luís Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the Chief Guests for this year’s event, reflecting India’s expanding strategic engagement with the European Union.
A major thematic undercurrent of the parade will be the Indian Army’s operational experience over the past year, particularly Operation Sindoor, which showcased India’s zero-tolerance posture against terrorism and its ability to conduct swift, intelligence-led and technology-enabled military responses.
Following the operation, emergency procurement powers were invoked to fast-track acquisitions, especially in ammunition, drones and niche strike capabilities, reinforcing the Army’s transition towards self-reliance and rapid modernisation.
Sources said this operational focus will be reflected in the Battle Array Formation, one of the centrepieces of the parade, illustrating how a modern battlefield is organised — from reconnaissance and battlefield-shaping elements to combat, combat support, logistics and specialised humanitarian units.
The formation underlines lessons drawn from recent operations and joint exercises, highlighting coordination, surveillance dominance and precision engagement.
The parade will also showcase India’s traditional and mechanised military strength, led by the 61st Cavalry, the world’s only active horse cavalry regiment, followed by armoured and reconnaissance platforms and aerial elements including indigenous ALH Dhruv helicopters, reinforcing the thrust on Aatmanirbharta in defence.
The 21-Gun Salute, fired by the 172 Field Regiment using indigenously developed 105 mm Light Field Guns, will coincide with the unfurling of the National Flag and the National Anthem. The President’s Bodyguard, marking 75 years since its designation in 1950, will render the National Salute, symbolising continuity of military tradition.
Marching contingents of the Delhi Police, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Border Security Force’s camel-mounted unit, National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme will highlight internal security, border vigilance and youth participation.
The BSF Camel Contingent, a fixture of the parade since 1976, will once again represent India’s desert frontier operations.
The cultural dimension of the parade will be expressed through a large-scale Heralding of Musical Instruments, drawing folk and classical traditions from across regions under the theme “Vividata Mein Ekta – Unity in Diversity.” Cultural performances will culminate in a special tribute marking 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, tracing the song’s role in India’s freedom movement and national consciousness.
A major people-centric element of the celebrations will be the presence of nearly 10,000 Special Guests drawn from across the country. These include farmers practising natural agriculture, women entrepreneurs, artisans, sanitation workers, construction workers of Kartavya Path, disaster response volunteers, tribal change-makers, transgender citizens rehabilitated with dignity, water conservationists, scientists, para-athletes, youth innovators and beneficiaries of flagship welfare schemes in housing, health, pensions and water supply.
Couples in traditional attire from every State and Union Territory will add a visual representation of India’s cultural plurality, while youth achievers, Veer Gatha awardees and international delegates underline India’s civilisational and diplomatic outreach.
The celebrations will extend beyond Kartavya Path with Bharat Parv at the Red Fort from January 26 to 31, featuring tableaux, regional cuisines, handicrafts, handlooms and cultural performances, bringing the Republic Day experience closer to the public.
Extending the Republic Day celebrations beyond Kartavya Path, the Ministry of Tourism will organise Bharat Parv at the Red Fort from January 26 to 31, where visitors can experience Republic Day tableaux, regional cuisines, handicrafts, handlooms, cultural performances and interactive exhibitions by central ministries.
The Republic Day Parade 2026, officials said, will stand as a comprehensive reflection of India’s constitutional values, military strength, cultural richness and inclusive development journey.
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