Monday, January 26, 2026
President leads ceremony marked by gaiety and patriotic fervour; Ashoka Chakra conferred on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla; armed forces showcase weapon systems used during Operation Sindoor; IAF flypast features Rafales, Sukhois, MiGs
India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on Monday (January 26, 2026) with a grand display of military prowess and cultural heritage, as missiles, armed forces battalions and artists competed for attention at the Kartavya Path. While the 150th year celebrations of the National Song, Vande Mataram, was the prominent theme, the event also celebrated the country’s successes during last year’s “Operation Sindoor”.
President Droupadi Murmu presided over the event in Delhi while President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen graced the occasion as chief guests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted Ms. Murmu and the chief guests, who arrived in traditional horse-drawn buggies, at the podium. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and several other Union Ministers, the military’s top brass, foreign diplomats and senior officials were among the spectators.
