Delhi Republic Day parade | |
---|---|
Genre | National Military And Cultural patriotic parade |
Begins | 26 January |
Ends | 29 January by Retreat Ceremony |
Frequency | Annual |
Location(s) | New Delhi, India |
Inaugurated | 26 January 1950 |
Most recent | 26 January 2025 |
Next event | 26 January 2026 |
Organised by | Ministry of Defence [1] Ministry of culture |
Website | indianrdc |
The Delhi Republic Day parade is the largest and most important of the parades marking the Republic Day celebrations in India. The parade takes place every year on 26 January at Kartavya Path, New Delhi. It is the main attraction of India's Republic Day celebrations, which last for three days. The first parade was held in 1950, and it has been held every year since. The cultural pageant is a symbol of a diverse but united India. [2]
The parade marches from the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the Kartavya Path to India Gate and from there to Red Fort. It opens with the unfurling of the national flag by the President of India. This is followed by marching from several regiments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with their bands, and tableaux from various states signifying their cultures are displayed. A beating retreat ceremony signifies the end of the parade.
The first Republic Day Parade was held on 26 January 1950, led by then Brigadier Moti Sagar of the Gorkha Regiment, during which the President of Indonesia Sukarno was the chief guest. The flypast of that parade included aircraft such as Harvards, Consolidated B-24 Liberators, Dakotas, Hawker Tempest, Spitfires and jet planes comprising a total of more than a hundred aircraft. [3] The venue was Irwin Amphitheater, now known as Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The parades are the legacy of the British Raj, as a showcase of power to the rival States. Since time immemorial the parades have been a show of strength, mystical prowess of the empires and nation-state, legacy of triumph, and inspiring loyalty to the State. The Prussian State was the pioneer of modern military parades. Indian leaders attached military parades to the Republic Day to commemorate the triumph of a new sovereign strong republic against the colonial power. Consequently, among many other innovations, the unique and grand cultural tableaux were included as an integral part of the parade symbolising a strong and diverse republic, replete with symbols of a larger nationalism incorporating massive regional diversity. With time the colonial symbols have been systematically pushed away, and an indianisation has happened. [4]
To mark the Republic Day, an annual parade is held in New Delhi, starting at the Rashtrapati Bhavan (the President's residence), and proceeding along the Kartavya Path, past the India Gate. [5] Prior to its commencement, the Prime Minister lays a floral wreath at the National War Memorial (previously at the Amar Jawan Jyoti memorial) at one end of Kartavya Path, which is followed by two minutes silence in the memory of fallen soldiers. Thereafter he/she reaches the main dais at Kartavya Path to join other dignitaries. Subsequently, the President arrives along with the chief guest of the occasion. They are escorted on horseback by the President's Bodyguard.[ citation needed ]
First, the president unfurls the National flag, as the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana is played, and a 21-gun salute is fired by the Indian Army Regiment of Artillery as the PBG renders the National Salute and its standard is dipped. Next, as the PBG trots off the dais, important awards like the Ashok Chakra and Param Vir Chakra are given away by the President. The President comes forward to award the medals of bravery to the people from the armed forces for their exceptional courage in the field and also the civilians, who have distinguished themselves by their different acts of valour in different situations, either in military, civilian or disaster scenarios. This is followed by the regiments of Armed Forces starting their march past, led by the parade commander and his second in command, followed by living recipients of gallantry medals of the Republic. Following the march past of the armed forces follows the march of personnel belonging to the federal security organizations and the Delhi Police, which marches also on behalf of all territorial, state, city and municipal police forces. Children who are recipients of the National Bravery Award ride past the spectators on colourfully decorated elephants or vehicles. [6]
18 to 24 different regiments of the Indian Army in addition to the Navy, and Air Force (total nearly 55)) with their bands march past in all their finery and official decorations. The President of India who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute. Twelve contingents of various para-military forces of India and other civil forces also take part in this parade. [7] One of the unique sights of the parade is the camel mounted Border Security Force contingent, which is the only camel mounted military force in the world.[ citation needed ] The best NCC cadets, selected from all over the country consider it an honour to participate in this event, as do the school children from various schools in the capital. They spend many days preparing for the event and no expense is spared to see that every detail is taken care of, from their practice for the drills, the essential props and their uniforms. 22 to 30 floats exhibiting the cultures of the various states and union territories of India, including floats of union ministries and state enterprises are in the grand parade, which is broadcast nationwide on television and radio. These moving exhibits depict scenes of activities of people in those states and the music and songs of that particular state accompany each display. Each display brings out the diversity and richness of the culture of India and the whole show lends a festive air to the occasion. [8] People from different parts of the country enjoy watching the representation of their state rolling along in the parade. [2] Around 1200 schoolchildren present cultural dances as part of the parade. [9] The 2016 Republic Day marked the return of K-9 Dog Squad to the parade after 26 years. [10]
The parade traditionally ends with dare devil motor cycle riding display by motorcycle units of the Armed Forces and civil security services and a flypast by the Indian Air Force jets and helicopters. [11] In 2019, the flypast included aircraft such as Su 30 MKI, Jaguar, Mig 29, C-17 Globemaster and HAL Rudra. [12]
A full dress rehearsal parade is organised on 23 January every year. [13]
To promote gender equality and women empowerment, in 2024, most of the contingents, including the motorcycle acrobat teams were composed entirely of women. [14] [15]
The selection process of the tableaux is conducted by the Ministry of Defence, which involves a number of guidelines. The ministry recommends that tableaux represent a historical event, heritage, culture, development programmes and environment. The tableaux must not carry any logos and should carry some animation and sound. [16]
Proposals are invited from union ministries and departments of the union government of India, and from states and union territories of India within a fixed deadline. The proposals are examined by a committee of experts from arts fields. The examination process involves 2 rounds. The first round provides suggestions for modifications, after evaluating the sketches and designs. The second round evaluates three-dimensional models, after which a final judgement is passed by the committee. [16] A system was introduced in 2024, which gives every state and union territory a chance to showcase their tableau during the Republic Day parade once every three years. [17] [18]
The Indian Beating Retreat ceremony officially denotes the end of Republic Day festivities. It is conducted on the evening of 29 January, the third day after the Republic Day. It is performed by the bands of the three wings of the military, the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The venue is Raisina Hill and an adjacent square, Vijay Chowk, flanked by the north and south block of the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's Palace) towards the end of Kartavya Path.[ citation needed ]
The Chief Guest of the function is the President of India who arrives escorted by the Presidential Body Guard (PBG), a cavalry unit. When the President arrives, the PBG commander asks the unit to give the National Salute, which is followed by playing of the Indian National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, by the Army developed the ceremony of display by the massed bands in which Military Bands, Pipe and Drum Bands, Buglers and Trumpeters from various Army Regiments besides bands from the Navy and Air Force take part which play popular tunes like the National Song of India Vande Mataram , Mahatma Gandhi's favourite hymn Vaishnava Jana To , Saare Jahan Se Achcha , Abide With Me and Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo at the end. [19] [20] [21]
Mostly, after Republic Day Celebrations Schools and Colleges Observe Holiday on 27 January.[ citation needed ]
In 2016, French Army soldiers and a French Army Band took part in the 67th Republic Day parade. This marked the first time since the beginning of the parade in 1950, that a foreign army contingent marched down the Rajpath during the Republic Day parade.[ citation needed ]
Year | Country | Unit | Contingent Details | Photo |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 [22] | France | 35th Infantry Regiment | 76 soldiers | |
2017 [24] | United Arab Emirates | United Arab Emirates Presidential Guard | 149 soldiers 35-member band | |
2021 [25] | Bangladesh | Bangladesh Armed Forces | 122 soldiers [26] | |
2023 [27] | Egypt | Egyptian Armed Forces | 144 soldiers 12-member band | |
2024 [28] | France | 95-member marching contingent 33-member band | ||
2025 [29] | Indonesia | Indonesian National Armed Forces | 352 soldiers |
This section needs additional citations for verification .(August 2019) |
Year | Union Ministry / Department |
---|---|
2020 [52] | National Disaster Response Force and Ministry of Jal Shakti |
2021 [51] | Department of Biotechnology |
2022 [44] | Ministry of Education and Ministry of Civil Aviation |
2023 [45] | Ministry of Tribal Affairs |
2024 [46] | Ministry of Culture |
2025 [47] | Ministry of Tribal Affairs |
In 2022, for the first time, the public were allowed to vote for their favourite floats and marching contingents using the MyGov app. [44] The floats with the most votes are declared the winners. [53]
Year | Best State / Union Territory tableaux | Best Marching Contingent among the three services | Best Marching Contingent among CAPFs/other auxiliary forces | Best tableaux among the Union Ministries and Departments | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First | Second | Third | ||||
2022 [44] | Maharashtra | Uttar Pradesh | Jammu and Kashmir | Indian Air Force | Central Reserve Police Force | Ministry of Communications |
2023 [45] | Gujarat | Uttar Pradesh | Maharashtra | Indian Air Force | Central Reserve Police Force | Ministry of Home Affairs |
2024 [46] | Gujarat | Uttar Pradesh | Andhra Pradesh | Rajputana Rifles | CRPF Woman | Ministry of Home Affairs |
2025 [47] | Gujarat | Uttar Pradesh | Uttarakhand | Indian Army Corps of Signals | Central Reserve Police Force | Ministry of Women and Child Development |
Republic Day is the name of a holiday in several countries to commemorate the day when they became republics.
Rajpath, officially named Kartavya Path, and formerly known as Kingsway, is a ceremonial boulevard in New Delhi, India, that runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan on Raisina Hill through Vijay Chowk and India Gate, National War Memorial to National Stadium, Delhi. The avenue is lined on both sides by huge lawns, canals and rows of trees. Considered to be one of the most important roads in India, it is where the annual Republic Day parade takes place on 26 January. Janpath crosses the road. Rajpath runs in east-west direction. Roads from Connaught Place, the financial centre of Delhi, run into Rajpath from north. It was made during the Construction of New Delhi.
Beating Retreat is a military ceremony dating to 17th-century England and was first used to recall nearby patrolling units to their castle.
The Ashoka Chakra is India's highest peacetime military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) and is awarded for the "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice" other than in the face of the enemy. The decoration may be awarded either to military or civilian personnel.
Raisina Hill, often used as a metonym for the seat of the Government of India, is an area of New Delhi, housing India's most important government buildings, including Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India on a citadel and the Secretariat building, housing the Prime Minister's Office and several other important ministries. The hill is seen as an Indian acropolis with Rashtrapati Bhavan as the Parthenon.
The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is the senior-most regiment in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and protect the President of India. The regiment is based in the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, India. It is equipped as a mounted unit, with horses for ceremonies at the presidential palace and BTR-80 vehicles for use in combat.
Republic Day is a national holiday in India commemorating the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of India and the country's transition to a republic which came into effect on 26 January 1950.
Army Day is celebrated on 15 January every year in India, in recognition of Lieutenant General Kodandera M. Cariappa's taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Francis Roy Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India, on 15 January 1949. The day is celebrated in the form of parades and other military shows in the national capital New Delhi as well as in all headquarters. On 15 January 2023, India celebrated its 75th Indian Army Day in Bengaluru. Army Day marks a day to salute the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the country and its citizens.
The Indian Army Armoured Corps is one of the combat arms of the Indian Army. Tracing its origins from the first regiment formed in 1776, the present corps was formed in 1947 from two-thirds of the personnel and assets of the British Indian Army's Indian Armoured Corps. It currently consists of 67 armoured regiments, including the President's Bodyguard.
86 Armoured Regiment is an armoured regiment of the Indian Army.
Lieutenant General Abhay Krishna, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC is a retired officer of Indian Army. He served as General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Central Command from 1 October 2018 following the retirement of Lieutenant General Balwant Singh Negi, to 30 September 2019. He was succeeded by Lieutenant General Iqroop Singh Ghuman. Prior to that, he commanded the Eastern Command and South Western Command of the Indian Army
The Indian military bands consists of musicians from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Indian military bands regularly participate in international festivals and take part in celebrations dedicated to various national events. These bands are permanent participants in the Delhi Republic Day parade on the Kartavya Path. Today, the Indian Armed Forces have more than 50 military brass bands and 400 pipe bands and corps of drums. A Tri-Services Band refers to a joint Indian Armed Forces military band that performs together as a unit. At the Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festival and Tattoo in Moscow, the band consisted of 7 officers and 55 musicians. The Military Music Wing of the Army Education Corps is the principal educational institution of the armed forces that provides instruction to musicians of all ranks. Instruction is also provided by the Military Music Training Center and the Indian Navy School of Music.
The Indian Navy Band, also known as Indian Naval Symphonic Band is the Indian Navy's full time music band. It was established in 1945 and is currently attached to the INS Kunjali. At the time of it commissioning, it had a strength of 50 musicians. All band members have a bachelor's degree from recognized university and can play competently in at least one military sponsored instrument.
The Indian Army Chief's Band is the Indian Army's full-time music band. It was founded in 1990 as the official band of the Indian Army and the foremost in the armed forces. It also, as its name implies, represents the Chief of the Army Staff at events involving the COAS's presence. The band represents India in most important state events held in the Indian capital. It was raised in 1990 with bandsmen being drawn multiple Indian military bands in order to "retain the true representation of the entire nation in one band". In April 2011, a string section was added, consisting of cellos, violas and violins, elevating it to a symphony orchestra comprising 72 musicians. Outside of the Indian Army, it has also represented the Indian nation at various military music festivals in France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Great Britain, Russia and Bangladesh.
The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces Band is the official musical unit of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. Since 1991, it has been under the direct command of the Armed Forces General Staff, rather than the United Arab Emirates Army. It is currently the premier military band in the UAE, consisting of a marching band, a musical troupe, and a pipe band, all based out of Abu Dhabi. It is currently under the direction of Second Lieutenant Abdalla Abdul Karim Al Houti. The uniform of the band consists of a bright red tunic and white trousers. The band has participated in several international events in cities such as Cologne, Kuala Lumpur, and New Delhi. When it is inside the country, the band usually accompanies the UAE Presidential Guard in official ceremonies such as the visit of foreign leaders.
The President's Colour Award is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon any military unit of India. It is also known as Nishaan, which is an emblem that is worn by all unit officers on the left-hand sleeve of their uniform.
54 Armoured Regiment is an armoured regiment of the Indian Army.
Yak dance or Yak Chham or Tibetan Yak Dance is an Asian folk dance performed in the Indian states Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, union territory Ladakh and in the southern fringes of the Himalayas near Assam.
The Videsh Seva Medal is a service medal of the Indian Armed Forces. It is presented to all ranks of the three services for services rendered outside India. It was instituted on 26 January 1960. It can also be awarded posthumously.
Statue of Subhas Chandra Bose, also known as the Netaji's Statue, is a monolithic statue made of black granite, dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Indian freedom fighter and Commander-in-Chief of Indian National Army. The statue 28 feet (8.5 m) in total height, including a 8 feet (2.4 m) in total width. It is placed under the canopy behind India Gate in Delhi. The statue was sculpted by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj, whose other prominent works include the Statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath. Prominent attendees at the dedication ceremony in 2022 included PM Narendra Modi, members of his cabinet, MP Hardeep Singh Puri, G. Kishan Reddy and Arjun Ram Meghwal.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)Every year on January 23, Republic Day full dress rehearsal happens.
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty |title=
(help){{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link){{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)