Republic Day 2026: India is marking its 77th Republic Day and President Droupadi Murmu is leading the celebration at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are attending as chief guests.
Here are 10 key highlights from the Republic Day parade today
1. Kartavya Path which runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial has been given a special look that reflects the growth of the nation. The celebrations also honour one hundred and fifty years of the national song Vande Mataram.
2. The Ministry of Defence stated that the event will bring forward the impressive development of the country along with its strong military capability and its deep cultural variety. Citizens from many sections of society are taking part.
3. The parade will start at ten thirty in the morning and is expected to continue for roughly ninety minutes. It will begin with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial to pay tribute to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives.
4. After that the Prime Minister and other dignitaries will move to the saluting area at Kartavya Path. President Murmu and the two foreign guests will arrive in the traditional horse drawn carriage escorted by the Presidents Bodyguard which is the oldest regiment of the Indian Army.
5. Following tradition the national flag will be hoisted and the national anthem will be played along with a ceremonial twenty one gun salute. The salute will be given using one hundred and five millimetre light field guns made in India by the seventeen twenty one ceremonial battery of the seventeen two field regiment.
6. One hundred cultural artists will present a performance based on the idea of unity in diversity. The musical display will highlight both national unity and cultural richness.
7. Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar who is General Officer Commanding Delhi is serving as Parade Commander. Major General Navraj Dhillon who is Chief of Staff Headquarters Delhi is the Parade Second in Command.
8. The parade will also feature recipients of the nations highest gallantry honours. They include Param Vir Chakra awardees Subedar Major Honorary Captain Yogendra Singh Yadav retired and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar along with Ashoka Chakra awardees Major General CA Pithawalia retired and Colonel D Sreeram Kumar.
9. The European Union contingent will include four flag bearers riding on three vehicles. They will display the flag of the European Union the flag of the European Union Military Staff the flag of the EU Naval Force Atalanta and the flag of the EU Naval Force Aspides.
10. For the first time the Indian Army will present a phased battle formation that includes an aerial segment. The reconnaissance unit will have the sixty one Cavalry in full combat gear. Next will come the high mobility reconnaissance vehicle which is Indias first armoured light specialist vehicle designed within the country. Overhead support will be provided by the Dhruv advanced light helicopter and its armed variant Rudra both developed in India.
