India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on January 26, 2026, with President Droupadi Murmu leading the celebrations from Kartavya Path, New Delhi.
A Parade Reflecting Constitutional and National Milestones
The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, were the Chief Guests at the ceremony, signalling India's deepening institutional engagement with the European Union at a moment when trade and technology partnerships between the two sides are being actively negotiated.
In a first for the Republic Day Parade, the Indian Army introduced a "Battle Array" format, presenting formations differently from the traditional marching-contingent style, alongside the customary participation of the Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary forces.
Themes, Tableaux and Expanded Citizen Participation
The parade featured 30 tableaux from states, Union Territories, and central ministries, built around two overarching themes — "Swatantrata ka Mantra – Vande Mataram" and "Samriddhi ka Mantra – Atmanirbhar Bharat" — reflecting both the freedom struggle's legacy and the government's self-reliance agenda.
Around 2,500 artists took part in the cultural presentations at Kartavya Path, while nearly 10,000 special guests, including farmers, scientists, innovators, and scheme beneficiaries, were invited to attend, extending the ceremonial occasion into a broader civic exercise.
Public participation was further expanded through digital platforms such as MyGov and MY Bharat, which ran competitions and registration drives ahead of the parade, part of a continuing trend of using digital governance tools to widen citizen engagement with national ceremonial events beyond those physically present at the venue.
Remember for exams: the Chief Guests (Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen), the "Battle Array" format debut, and the two parade themes tied to Vande Mataram and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Source: pib.gov.in
