India proudly celebrated its 76th Republic Day on Sunday, marking 75 years since the adoption of its Constitution on January 26, 1950. The grand parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi showcased the country’s military prowess, cultural diversity, and technological advancements.

Prime Minister Pays Tributes to Fallen Soldiers

To begin the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial. Escorted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and the three service chiefs, Modi laid a wreath to honor their sacrifice.

Highlights from Kartavya Path, on this special Republic Day! pic.twitter.com/iDkvzMPlUP

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2025

Indonesian President Attends as Chief Guest

This year, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attended as the chief guest. Notably, he became the fourth Indonesian leader to participate in India’s Republic Day celebrations, following Sukarno, who attended the very first Republic Day in 1950. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and other senior officials, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force chiefs, also graced the occasion.

Highlights of the Parade

The parade captivated the audience with 31 tableaux, including 16 from states and Union Territories and 15 from central ministries and organizations. The theme "Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas" (Golden India: Heritage and Development) underlined the nation’s progress.

• Military Displays: Advanced defense systems like BrahMos, Pinaka, and Akash missiles took center stage. The parade also featured T-90 "Bhishma" tanks, BMP-II Sarath vehicles, and the Nag Missile System. New additions included the Army's Battle Surveillance System "Sanjay" and DRDO’s tactical missile "Pralay."
• Tri-Services Tableau: For the first time, a tri-services tableau highlighted joint operations. It showcased the Arjun main battle tank, Tejas MKII fighter aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopter, and INS Visakhapatnam.

Cultural Performances and Aerial Flypast

Cultural performances added color to the celebration. Over 5,000 artists performed a piece titled "Jayati Jaya Mamah Bharatam," featuring 45 traditional dance forms. Additionally, NCC cadets, a motorcycle display by the Corps of Signals, and a marching contingent from Indonesia enhanced the festivities. The flypast left spectators in awe with aircraft like the C-130J Super Hercules, C-295, C-17 Globemaster, MiG-29, and Su-30 taking to the skies. The parade also honored Param Vir Chakra recipients Subedar Major & Honorary Captain Yogendra Singh Yadav (retd) and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar (retd), along with Ashok Chakra awardee Lt Col Jas Ram Singh (retd).

Special Arrangements and Unique Features

President Droupadi Murmu and President Subianto arrived and departed in a traditional buggy, a practice revived last year after four decades. Moreover, around 10,000 special guests, including Paralympic athletes, village heads, artisans, and conservation workers, were invited to witness the event. India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations seamlessly blended tradition with modernity. Prime Minister Modi later shared a video highlighting the key moments, reminding citizens of the country’s rich heritage and achievements while inspiring hope for the future.