The Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2026, will be marked by a unique blend of India’s cultural heritage, military strength and contemporary strategic engagement, the Ministry of Defence said, unveiling detailed plans for the 77th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path.
The theme of this year’s parade reflects 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram, honouring its enduring spirit in India’s freedom journey. Paintings illustrating the verses created in 1923 and floral displays based on the theme will be part of the parade’s visual narrative, officials said.
European Council President Antonio Luís Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have been invited as chief guests for the Republic Day celebrations. They will also represent the European Union at the 16th India–EU Summit on January 27 in New Delhi, where they will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to an EU statement, the summit will focus on advancing cooperation on trade, security and defence, clean transition, and people-to-people ties.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh outlined that around 10,000 special guests from diverse sectors–including innovators, scientists, farmers and community leaders–will witness the parade. A total of 30 tableaux from States, Union Territories, and Central ministries will roll down Kartavya Path, showcasing themes of freedom and self-reliance.
For the first time, the Indian Army will display a phased battle array formation, including mechanised and cavalry columns, while the fly-past will feature formations of fighter jets and helicopters. Nearly 2,500 cultural artists will perform on themes of national pride and progress.
Delhi Police, supported by paramilitary forces, has established a multi-layered security cordon, with extensive CCTV coverage integrated with advanced facial recognition technology. Anti-drone units and sniper teams have been deployed to monitor the airspace, while verification drives are underway in hotels, guest houses and residential complexes to prevent any untoward incident.
To streamline guest movements, detailed route plans, parking arrangements and enclosure information have been shared online by the Ministry of Defence and the Delhi Police. Help desks and public announcements are in place around Kartavya Path to ensure smooth entry for invitees and ticket holders. Police have prohibited bags, electronic devices (except mobile phones), sharp objects, inflammable materials and other prohibited items within parade enclosures. Citizens have been urged to remain alert and report suspicious activity by calling 112.
Complementing the parade, the “Bharat Parv” cultural festival will run from January 26-31 at Red Fort, showcasing regional arts, crafts and cuisines. A host of Republic Day–linked events–including school band competitions and Project Veer Gatha–are taking place nationwide to engage citizens in the spirit of national pride and participation.
