We all have fond memories of tuning into Doordarshan every year on the morning of 26 January to catch a glimpse of the Republic Day Parade, don’t we? This year, India will celebrate its 76th Republic Day, with special focus on “75 years of enactment of the Constitution & Jan Bhagidari”, as quoted by the Press Information Bureau, Government of India’s nodal news agency. Let’s dive deeper into what this year’s Republic Day Celebration has in store for millions of us.
All You Must Know About The 76th Republic Day Celebrations
Significance Of 26th January
Republic Day is celebrated every year on 26th January. India became a Sovereign, Democratic, and Republic nation by adopting the Constitution on 26th January, 1950. On that day, Dr. Rajendra Prasad took oath as the First President of India and unfurled the National Flag, heralding the birth of the Indian Republic.-
76th Republic Day Parade 2025: Parade Proceedings
The morning of 26 January will start with the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu unfurling the national flag at the Kartavya Path, the central boulevard connecting India Gate to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The unfurling is followed by a 21-gun salute by the Indian Army Regiment of Artillery.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial located at the India Gate Circle. The President of India will arrive at the Kartavya Path and take the salute during a ceremonial march past. This march past will include units from the Armed Forces, Para Military Forces, Auxiliary Civil Forces, National Cadet Corps, and National Service Scheme.
Indonesia At The 76th Republic Day Celebrations
This year, Indonesia will be marking a special presence at India’s 76th Republic Day. President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr Prabowo Subianto, will be the Chief Guest at the Parade at Kartavya Path. Additionally, a 160-member marching contingent and a 190-member band contingent from Indonesia will also take part in the Parade along with the contingents of Indian Armed Forces.
Cultural Performances At The 76th Republic Day Parade
The Republic Day Parade will be heralded by 300 cultural artists playing ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha’ on musical instruments from different parts of the country. These will be a mix of indigenous as well as well-known instruments like flute, shehnai, ransingha, sambal, lezim, majalu, among many others.
Tableaux Presentations
This year, 31 Tableaux (a scene showing events and people from history, that is presented by a group of actors/sculptures who do not move or speak) from different states and union territories as well as certain ministries of India will take part in the Republic Day Parade. Inarguably, the Tableaux segment of the Parade is the most exciting as different states display their culture and unique presentations atop moving chariots.
The theme for this year’s presentation is ‘Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas’, aimed at highlighting the ways in which India balances its heritage (virasat) with development (vikas). Not just that, but the Tableaux will also feature the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and the Indian Meteorological Department. Moreover, two tableaux will specially highlight 75 years of the Constitution of India.
11-Minute Cultural Performance
With about 5,000 artists, the Parade will feature a 11-minute long cultural performance featuring around 45 different dance forms of India. For the first time, the performance will stretch over the entirety of the Kartavya Path. This is to give all guests a mesmerizing view of the same.
The morning celebrations on 26th January will conclude with the national anthem, after which themed banners and balloons will be released in the sky. In the end, guests will be delighted by a flypast by 47 aircraft.
Republic Day Awards
Just like each year, the eve of Republic Day will see the President of India honoring distinguished individuals with meritorious awards, including the most revered Bharat Ratna, Padma Awards, Gallantry Awards, and National Bravery Awards.
At the Republic Day 2024 celebrations, various individuals from different fields like art, medicine, public affairs, law, journalism, science, etc were honored. Here are some of the recipients of the Padma Awards last year:
- Vyjayantimala Bali (Padma Vibhushan)
- Mithun Chakraborty (Padma Bhushan)
- Usha Uthup (Padma Bhushan)
- Gaurav Khanna (Padma Shri)
- Kiran Nadar (Padma Shri)
Jan Bhagidari Special Guests
This year, the Government of India will invite Special Guests as a part of Jan Bhagidari (Jan = people, Bhagidari = participation). These Special Guests are achievers and key contributors in India’s development, with people from different categories like sarpanches, handloom artisans, ASHA workers, renewable energy workers, anganwadi workers, and disaster relief workers among many others. Around 10,000 Special Guests will attend the prestigious Parade.
Reaching The Republic Day Parade: Essential Information You Must Know
Mobile App and Rashtraparv Portal
The government has made it easier and more accessible for citizens to attend the Republic Day Parade 2025. This year, there will be a comprehensive mobile application as well as the Rashtraparv Portal. These facilities will help disseminate information to thousands of people, including key updates of the Parade. Also, the app or the portal can be used to book tickets for the Parade and other related events.
Free Metro Rides
Delhi Metro will begin its operations, including its parking spaces across Delhi from 4:00 AM on 26th January, 2025. The Delhi Metro will also provide free metro rides to Invitees/Ticket holders of Republic Day Parade 2025 across Delhi.
Park And Ride Scheme
Under this scheme, invitees can park their vehicle at Palika Parking, Connaught Place, and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium’s parking area (gates 14 and 15). From these places, they’ll be escorted to the venue with a pick-and-drop Delhi Transport Service (DTC) bus service. These services will begin at 6:00 AM and end at 8:30 AM.
Divyang-Friendly Locations
All the enclosures will be accessible to the disabled/Divyang and will have special ramp facilities. Youth volunteers from NCC will also be assigned at the enclosures to help those with wheelchairs.
Bharat Parv At Red Fort
From 26th January to 31st January, Bharat Parv, a cultural extravaganza will be organized at the Red Fort by the Ministry of Tourism. The Bharat Parv will include a plethora of cultural performances, food stalls offering a variety of cuisines, a showcase of Republic Day Tableaux, as well as a dedicated crafts bazaar.
Delhi Airport Will Halt Operations For 145 Minutes Daily Till 26th January
The Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi will halt operations daily until 26th January. This halt will be for 145 minutes or 2 hours 25 minutes. The closure will be operational from about 10:20 AM to 12:45 PM. This closure will be scheduled for security reasons leading up to Republic Day.
A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) alerted airlines and passengers about the temporary operational halt. The authorities are implementing this airspace restriction in preparation for Republic Day’s rehearsals, flypast, and drill. Although they will reschedule flights instead of cancelling them, Delhi’s deteriorating air quality could complicate operations further.
About 1,336 flights (665 departures and 671 arrivals) will be impacted because of the operational halt. Here’s a more detailed chart of the same:
| Day | Arrivals affected | Departures affected |
| 19 January | 85 | 85 |
| 20 January | 84 | 85 |
| 21 January (lightest day) | 81 | 79 |
| 22 to 26 January | 81-84 approximately | 82-87 approximately |
Summing Up
The 76th Republic Day Parade 2025 is about to be grander than ever. With over 300 cultural artists, 10,000 Special Guests, and plenty of exciting events, the Republic Day celebrations will truly be a celebration of India’s heritage and its diverse socio-cultural fabric.
FAQs
What Is The Theme Of The 2025 Republic Day Parade?
The theme of the 2025 Republic Day Parade is Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas. The theme is a tribute to India’s heritage (virasat) and development (vikas).
Who Is The Chief Guest Of Republic Day 2025?
Mr Prabowo Subianto, the President of Indonesia will be the chief guest of the Republic Day 2025.
When Was The First Republic Day Of India?
India first celebrated Republic Day on 26th January 1950. The year 2025 will be the 76th anniversary of the Republic Day Celebrations.
