'77th Republic Day' celebrated with the theme of '150 Years of Vande Mataram'

India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on 26 January, 2026. With the adoption of the Constitution on 26 January, 1950, it declared itself a sovereign, democratic and republican state.

• India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on 26 January, 2026. This day reminds of the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950, which established India as a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic.
• India got independence on 15 August, 1947. With the adoption of the Constitution on 26 January, 1950, it declared itself a sovereign, democratic and republican state.
• Since then, India celebrates Republic Day every year on 26 January. The main theme of Republic Day 2026 is focused on '150 Years of Vande Mataram' and the idea of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• A series of paintings made by Shri Tejendra Kumar Mitra in 1923, which depict the verses of 'Vande Mataram' and which were published in the 'Vande Mataram Album' (1923), will be displayed as view-cutters on Kartavya Path.
• The date 26 January was deliberately chosen to honor the declaration of Purna Swaraj of 1929, which took place at the Lahore Session on 19 December, 1929, when the Indian National Congress declared complete independence from British rule.
• The venue of the Republic Day parade, Kartavya Path, is the center of the celebrations. The parade starts from Rashtrapati Bhavan, passes through Kartavya Path, and ends near India Gate.

Chief Guests

• The President of the European Council, Mr. António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, were the Chief Guests at the Republic Day Parade (RDP) 2026. 
• This year, the enclosures for the parade have been named after rivers flowing across the country, namely Beas, Brahmaputra, Chambal, Chenab, Gandak, Ganga, Ghaghra, Godavari, Sindhu, Jhelum, Um, Kaveri, Kosi, Krishna, Mahanadi, Narmada, Pennar, Periyar, Ravi, Son, Satluj, Teesta, Vaigai and Yamuna.
• For the Beating Retreat Ceremony 2026, the enclosures have been named after Indian musical instruments, such as Bansuri, Damaru, Ektara, Esraj, Mridangam, Nagada, Pakhawaj, Santoor, Sarangi, Sarinda, Sarod, Shehnai, Sitar, Surbahar, Tabla and Veena.
• Seventeen tableaux from states and union territories
• A total of 30 tableaux - 17 from states/union territories and 13 from ministries/departments/services - will be based on the broad theme of 'Mantra of Freedom: Vande Mataram' and 'Mantra of Prosperity: Atmanirbhar Bharat'.
• Seventeen tableaux from states and union territories, including Assam’s terracotta craft, Manipur’s agricultural progress, and Himachal Pradesh’s identity as Dev Bhoomi, and 13 tableaux from ministries and services, including a special ex-servicemen’s tableau by the Indian Air Force.
• As per tradition, the national flag will be hoisted, followed by the national anthem and a 21-gun salute will be given by the indigenous 105-mm light field gun. The 21-gun salute will be given by the 1721 Ceremonial Battery of the 172 Field Regiment.
• 100 cultural artists will begin the parade on the theme of 'Unity in Diversity', which will be a magnificent display of musical instruments, showcasing the unity and rich cultural diversity of the country.

Beating Retreat Ceremony

• The Beating Retreat Ceremony symbolizes the official conclusion of the Republic Day celebrations.
• Rehearsal: 28 January, 2026
• Main Ceremony: 29 January, 2026
• Venue: Vijay Chowk, New Delhi