India will mark its 77th Republic Day tomorrow with an elaborate celebration at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, reflecting the country’s military strength, cultural diversity, technological progress and growing global partnerships.
President Droupadi Murmu will lead the celebrations, while European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will attend as Chief Guests, underlining the deepening India–European Union strategic ties.
This year’s Republic Day parade promises a visually striking spectacle, as the ceremonial boulevard from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial is transformed into a vibrant canvas showcasing 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, India’s developmental journey, its defence preparedness, cultural richness, and people-centric participation.
Parade to start at 10:30 am
The ceremony will commence at 10:30 am and will last approximately 90 minutes.
As per tradition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin the day by visiting the National War Memorial, where he will lay a wreath and lead the nation in paying homage to India’s fallen soldiers. The Prime Minister and other dignitaries will then proceed to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the parade.
Presidential arrival and national salute
The President of India, accompanied by the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, will arrive in the Traditional Buggy, escorted by the President’s Bodyguard, the senior-most regiment of the Indian Army.
The National Flag will be unfurled, followed by the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute fired using 105 mm Light Field Guns, an indigenously developed artillery system. The ceremonial salute will be executed by the 1721 Ceremonial Battery of the 172 Field Regiment.
Cultural opening and aerial tribute
The parade will be heralded by 100 cultural artists performing on the theme ‘Vividata Mein Ekta – Unity in Diversity’, featuring a grand display of musical instruments representing India’s cultural mosaic.
This will be followed by a showering of flower petals by four Mi-17 1V helicopters of the 129 Helicopter Unit, flying in the Dhwaj Formation. The formation will be led by Group Captain Alok Ahlawat while trooping the National Flag.
Parade leadership
The President will then take the salute as the parade formally begins.
The parade will be commanded by Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, a second-generation Army officer. Major General Navraj Dhillon, Chief of Staff, HQ Delhi Area, a third-generation officer, will serve as the Parade Second-in-Command.
Gallantry award winners lead the march
Marching ahead will be recipients of India’s highest gallantry honours, including Param Vir Chakra awardees Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav (Retd) and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, along with Ashok Chakra awardees Major General CA Pithawalia (Retd) and Colonel D Sreeram Kumar.
The Param Vir Chakra recognises acts of exceptional bravery in the face of the enemy, while the Ashok Chakra honours gallantry outside battlefield combat.
European Union contingent
A European Union contingent will participate in the parade, featuring four flag bearers on three gypsies. The contingent will carry four flags — the European Union flag, the European Union Military Staff flag, the EU Naval Force Atalanta flag, and the EU Naval Force Aspides flag — symbolising EU military cooperation and maritime security initiatives.
Indian Army: Battle array in phases
For the first time, the Indian Army will present a phased Battle Array format, including an aerial component.
The Reconnaissance element will feature the 61 Cavalry in active combatised uniform, followed by the High Mobility Reconnaissance Vehicle, India’s first indigenously designed Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle. Aerial reconnaissance support will be provided by the DHRUV Advanced Light Helicopter and its armed variant RUDRA, flying in Prahar Formation.
Armoured columns and special forces
The Combat Elements will include T-90 Bhishma tanks and Arjun Main Battle Tanks, supported by Apache AH-64E and PRACHAND Light Combat Helicopters.
Other mechanised units will showcase BMP-II Infantry Combat Vehicles and the Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-2. A Special Forces detachment will follow with Ajayketu All-Terrain Vehicles, Randhwaj Rugged Terrain Tactical Transport Systems, and Dhawansak Light Strike Vehicles.
Robotic warfare capabilities will be displayed through Robotic Dogs, Unmanned Ground Vehicles, and four autonomous platforms — NIGRAHA, BHAIRAV, BHUVIRAKSHA and KRISHNA.
Drones, missiles and deep-strike power
The Combat Support Element will highlight India’s advanced unmanned arsenal, including SHAKTIBAAN and DIVYASTRA systems mounted on 6x6 High Mobility Vehicles.
These systems demonstrate swarm drones, tethered drones, and the indigenous tactical hybrid UAV ZOLT, used for artillery fire direction. Precision strike capabilities will be showcased through loitering munitions such as HAROP, Mini HARPY, Peacekeeper, ATS (Extended and Medium Range), and Sky Striker.
The parade will also feature Dhanush Artillery Guns, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS), the BrahMos supersonic missile system, and the indigenous SURYASTRA Universal Rocket Launcher, underscoring India’s deep-strike dominance.
Air defence and Operation Sindoor display
India’s air defence shield will be represented by the Akash Weapon System and the ABHRA Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) system.
A glass-cased Integrated Operational Centre tableau will depict Operation Sindoor, highlighting the synergy of offensive and defensive capabilities, with BrahMos strikes, Akash missile defence, and S-400 systems forming a protective shield — reflecting the Prime Minister’s Sudarshan Chakra vision.
Him Yodhas and animal contingent
The Him Yodhas contingent will feature soldiers alongside Bactrian camels, Zanskar ponies, raptor birds, and Indian dog breeds including Mudhol Hound, Rampur Hound, Chippiparai, Kombai and Rajapalayam, equipped with bulletproof jackets, cameras, GPS and communication systems. A Glacier ATV will also be on display.
Marching Regiments
Marching contingents will include the Mixed Scouts, Rajput Regiment, Assam Regiment, Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry, Regiment of Artillery, 4 BHAIRAV Battalion (Sikh Light Infantry), and Combined Military Bands.
Indian Navy Tableau
The Indian Navy contingent of 144 personnel, led by Lt Karan Nagyal, will be followed by a naval tableau themed ‘Strong Navy for a Strong Nation’.
The tableau will depict maritime heritage and modern power, including the INSV Kaundinya, Maratha-era ships, INS Vikrant, Nilgiri-class stealth frigates, Kalvari-class submarine, and GSAT-7R satellite, along with the Navika Sagar Parikrama-II expedition route.
Indian Air Force and Flypast
The Indian Air Force contingent will comprise four officers and 144 airmen, led by Sqn Ldr Jagdesh Kumar. The marching column will sync with a flypast featuring Rafale, MiG-29, Su-30 and Jaguar aircraft in Spearhead Formation, symbolising the Sindoor Formation.
Veterans, Tri-Services and Coast Guard
The Veterans’ Tableau themed ‘Sangram se Rashtranirman Tak’ will portray the journey from battlefield service to nation-building. The Tri-Services Tableau will depict Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness, highlighting integrated military operations.
An all-women Indian Coast Guard contingent, led by Assistant Commandant Nishi Sharma, will showcase maritime security along India’s 11,098-km coastline.
DRDO Hypersonic Missile Display
DRDO will present the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM), a hypersonic glide missile capable of speeds up to Mach 10, featuring indigenous avionics, precision sensors, and multi-stage solid propulsion.
Paramilitary Forces and Tableaux
Marching contingents will include CISF, CRPF, ITBP, Delhi Police, BSF Camel Contingent, NCC boys and girls, and MY BHARAT volunteers.
A total of 30 tableaux — 17 from States/UTs and 13 from Ministries and Departments — will roll down Kartavya Path under the themes ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, celebrating India’s heritage, progress and self-reliance.
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