On Republic Day, flag hoisting ceremonies and parades by armed forces and school children are held in different parts of the country. The grandest and most important of these parades is held at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, which showcases a multi-hued image of the country's rich cultural heritage and military prowess.

This parade is presided over by the President of India. President of the European Council Mr Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen was the Chief Guests for the Republic Day Parade (RDP) 2026. One of the main functions of the Republic Day Parade is to honor the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for the country and to bestow bravery awards upon military personnel and citizens. The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) is presented to children who have demonstrated exceptional abilities and outstanding achievements across seven categories (Bravery, Art & Culture, Environment, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service and Sports).

Republic Day Parade 2026 to showcase India's cultural diversity & military prowess; 150 years of Vande Mataram to be the theme of Republic Day Parade 2026 at Kartavya Path - read the press release

During Republic Day Parade 2026, following activities/components will be performed:

150 years of Vande Mataram will be the theme of the parade. A series of paintings created by Shri Tejendra Kumar Mitra in 1923, illustrating the verses of 'Vande Mataram' and published in the 'Bande Mataram Album' (1923), will be displayed as view-cutters along Kartavya Path during Republic Day Parade 2026.

Tableaux: A total of 30 Tableaux (17 from States/ UTs and 13 from Ministries/Departments/ Services) will roll down the Kartavya Path this year

Cultural Performance: Approx 2,500 cultural artists will perform on Kartvyapath this year. The theme of the performance is "स्वतंत्रता का मंत्र - वंदे मातरम" and "समृद्धि का मंत्र - आत्मनिर्भर भारत".

Beating Retreat Ceremony

The ceremony at the Vijay Chowk on January 29 every year marks the culmination of the four-day-long Republic Day celebrations. The Chief Guest of the function is the President of India who arrives in a cavalry unit escorted by the 'President's Bodyguards' (PBG). When the President arrives, the PBG commander asks the unit to give the National Salute, which is followed by the playing of the Indian National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, by the Massed Bands, and at the same time by the unfurling of the National Flag of India on the flagpole. Military Bands, Pipes and Drums Bands, Buglers and Trumpeters from various Army Regiments perform during the ceremony. Besides, there are bands from each of the Navy and Air Force. Most of the tunes being played by the Army's Military Bands are based on Indian tunes.

'Beating the Retreat' has emerged as an event of national pride when the Colours and Standards are paraded. The ceremony traces its origin to the early 1950s when Major Roberts of the Indian Army indigenously developed the unique ceremony of display by the massed bands. 'Beating Retreat' marks a centuries old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the Retreat. Colours and Standards are cased and flags lowered. The ceremony creates longing for the times gone by.

The grandest celebrations take place in New Delhi with the flag hoisting ceremony followed by a parade, showcasing India's rich cultural heritage and military prowess...