77th Republic Day: President Droupadi Murmu unfurled the Tricolour at Kartavya Path on Monday, January 26, 2026, as India celebrated its 77th Republic Day with great pride and grandeur. She arrived in a ceremonial buggy, escorted by the President’s Bodyguard (Rashtrapati ke Angrakshak), marking the formal start of the national celebrations. Adding global importance to the occasion, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Luis Santos da Costa attended the ceremony as the chief guests this year.
Before the parade began, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial near India Gate. He was accompanied by senior defence leaders, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Services General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal APS Singh, and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi. Their presence highlighted the nation’s respect for the armed forces and their sacrifices.
A major attraction of the Republic Day parade was the display of 30 colourful tableaux rolling down Kartavya Path. These included 17 tableaux from various States and Union Territories and 13 from different Ministries, Departments, and Services. The tableaux were based on the themes “Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram” and “Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
The tableaux showcased a unique blend of India’s 150-year legacy of the national song Vande Mataram and the country’s rapid progress driven by self-reliance across sectors such as technology, defence, agriculture, and culture. Together, they reflected India’s unity, diversity, and strong commitment to a self-reliant and prosperous future.
