Republic Day Parade 2026 Begins at Kartavya Path With Military Display, Tableaux and European Chief Guests

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Republic Day Parade 2026 began at Kartavya Path and will run for about 90 minutes.
Theme this year is “150 Years of Vande Mataram,” celebrating India’s national song and identity.
European Council President Antonio Costa and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are chief guests.

Republic Day Parade 2026: The grand Republic Day Parade 2026 has officially commenced at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, marking India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations with an impressive showcase of military strength, cultural diversity and national pride.

The parade, expected to last around 90 minutes, opened with iconic visuals of Apache and Dhruv helicopters, along with Bhishma and Arjun battle tanks rolling down the ceremonial boulevard.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and chief guests from Europe are present at the venue.

Republic Day Parade 2026 Theme: “150 Years of Vande Mataram”

The central theme of this year’s celebrations is “150 Years of Vande Mataram,” honouring the national song written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Officials said the theme connects India’s freedom struggle, cultural identity and present-day development goals, and will feature prominently in tableaux, public outreach programmes and cultural events across the country.

Who Are the Chief Guests at Republic Day 2026?

This year’s Republic Day Parade has two high-profile international chief guests:

Antonio Costa, President of the European Council
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

The leaders received a Guard of Honour upon arriving in India on Sunday and are expected to deepen EU–India cooperation through a strategic agenda during talks on January 27.

Military Might on Display at Kartavya Path

India showcased major defence platforms and advanced weapon systems during the Republic Day Parade 2026, including:

BrahMos missile system
Akash air defence system
‘Suryastra’ rocket launcher with deep-strike capability
Main Battle Tank Arjun
Bhishma battle tank

A tri-services tableau featuring replicas of key weapon systems used in Operation Sindoor last May was among the parade’s major highlights.

First-Time Participants Add Special Attraction

Officials noted that several units made their debut this year, adding a unique ceremonial flavour.

First-time participants included:

Newly raised Bhairav light commando battalion
Shaktiban Regiment, equipped with drone and counter-drone systems
Zanskar ponies
Bactrian camels

The Shaktiban Regiment’s appearance marked a significant step in showcasing India’s modern artillery transformation.

Republic Day Parade Begins With Tribute at National War Memorial

The day’s events began with Prime Minister Modi visiting the National War Memorial, where he laid a wreath to honour India’s fallen heroes.

Also Read | Republic Day 2026 Greetings: PM Modi Urges Nation to Strengthen Resolve for Viksit Bharat

Afterward, dignitaries moved to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the ceremonial march-past.

President’s Traditional Arrival and 21-Gun Salute

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in the traditional buggy, accompanied by the President’s Bodyguard, the Indian Army’s senior-most regiment.

As per tradition:

The National Flag was unfurled
The National Anthem was played
A 21-gun salute was fired using indigenously developed 105 mm Light Field Guns
The President then took the salute as the parade advanced.

Cultural Performances and Special Guests

Around 2,500 cultural performers from every state and union territory are participating this year, highlighting India’s unity in diversity.

Nearly 10,000 special guests from different walks of life were invited to witness the celebrations, reflecting the inclusive spirit of Republic Day.

A Celebration of India’s Strength and Identity

The Republic Day Parade 2026 stands as a powerful reflection of India’s constitutional values, defence preparedness, cultural richness and development journey, with “Vande Mataram” at the heart of this historic celebration.