Republic Day 2026: From 30 tableaux to Op Sindoor jointness, key things to watch at Kartavya Path

The 77th Republic Day Parade 2026 is set to be a major national event, showcasing India’s traditions, strength and progress. It will bring together India’s rich culture, strong armed forces and growing use of modern technology. The celebrations will take place at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on Monday, January 26, with President Droupadi Murmu leading the nation.

As every year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin the day by visiting the National War Memorial to pay tribute to fallen soldiers. He will then attend the parade at Kartavya Path. The National Flag will be unfurled, followed by the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute using indigenous 105-mm Light Field Guns.

What makes the Republic Day Parade 2026 special?

Add Zee Business as a Preferred Source

This year’s parade will see many historic firsts. For the first time, the Bhairav Light Commando Battalion will make its debut. Another major highlight will be the special animal contingent of the Remount & Veterinary Corps (RVC) of the Indian Army. This contingent will include Bactrian camels, Zanskar ponies, raptors and Army dogs, showing how animals help the forces in tough areas like Ladakh and Siachen.

The parade will also mark 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram. A special Tri-services tableau titled “Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness” will highlight cooperation between the Army, Navy and Air Force after Operation Sindoor in 2025.

Tableaux celebrate culture and self-reliance

A total of 30 tableaux will roll down Kartavya Path this year. Out of these, 17 will come from States and Union Territories, while 13 will be from Ministries, Departments and Services. The themes are “Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram” and “Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

States will showcase their culture and progress, such as Assam’s terracotta craft, Manipur’s agricultural growth and Himachal Pradesh’s identity as Dev Bhoomi. Ministry tableaux will focus on innovation, defence strength and nation-building. The Indian Air Force will present a special veterans’ tableau to honour ex-servicemen.

Strong military display and grand flypast

The parade will feature marching contingents, military bands, mechanised columns and a phased battle array by the Indian Army. The Indian Air Force will present a powerful flypast by 29 aircraft.

A special attraction will be the “Sindoor” formation, where fighter jets that took part in Operation Sindoor will fly together. The formation will include Rafale, Su-30, MiG-29 and Jaguar aircraft. For the first time, Women Agniveers will perform as part of the Indian Air Force Marching Band.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will also showcase key defence systems, including the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) with its launcher.

Tight security and wide participation

Security arrangements in central Delhi are very tight. Over 1,000 high-definition CCTV cameras with facial recognition systems have been installed. For the first time, Delhi Police will use AI-enabled smart glasses for better threat detection.

Around 10,000 special guests from different fields will attend the parade. These include sportspersons, farmers, scientists from ISRO and DRDO, and people supported under government welfare schemes.

The parade will begin at 9:30 am, with live TV coverage from 10:30 am. Entry gates will open at 7 am. After the parade, Bharat Parv will be held at the Red Fort from January 26 to 31, followed by the Prime Minister’s NCC Rally on January 28, bringing the Republic Day celebrations to a close.