India will mark its 77th Republic Day on Jan. 26 with a grand parade, cultural performances and a display of the country's defence strength. The event will draw thousands of spectators at the venue and millions more through live broadcasts and streaming. This year's celebrations at Kartavya Path will be a unique blend of 150 years of the national song 'Vande Mataram,' India's military might and cultural diversity. A total of 30 tableaux will roll down Kartavya Path.
These include 17 from states and Union Territories and 13 from ministries, departments and services. Around 2,500 cultural artistes will perform on R-Day parade.
Republic Day Parade 2026: Timings
The Republic Day 2026 ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. This will be followed by the main parade at Kartavya Path at 10:30 a.m., which will last about 90 minutes.
Republic Day Parade 2026: Theme
The theme of the Republic Day Parade 2026 will be 150 years of Vande Mataram. Along Kartavya Path, a series of paintings created in 1923 by Tejendra Kumar Mitra will be displayed as view-cutters, depicting verses from Vande Mataram as originally published in the Bande Mataram Album of the same year. At the end of the parade, a banner bearing the words “Vande Mataram” will be unveiled, accompanied by the release of rubber balloons.
#WATCH | Full-dress rehearsal for Republic Day parade held at Kartavya Path in New Delhi today pic.twitter.com/x5IAIhgHEJ
— ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2026
Pan-India band performances based on the theme of Vande Mataram are being organised from Jan. 19 by the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard and other Central Armed Police Forces. These performances are being held at multiple locations across the country, including the ancestral home and birthplace of Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay at Kanthalpara in Naihati, North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, now known as the Bankim Bhawan Gaveshana Kendra. These performances will be held till Jan. 26.
Videos on Vande Mataram will also be shown along Kartavya Path, with tableaux highlighting freedom and a self-reliant India.
Republic Day Parade 2026: Chief Guests
The President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will be the Chief Guests at the Republic Day Parade.
Republic Day Parade 2026: Live Telecast And Streaming
The event will be telecast live on Doordarshan and streamed on the PIB and MyGov YouTube channels. Coverage will also available on leading news channels across the country.
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