India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on January 26, 2026, with a spectacular parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. A major highlight of the parade was the display of 30 tableaux, representing 17 States and Union Territories and 13 from various Ministries, Departments, and Services. These tableaux showcased the country's rich cultural diversity, the spirit of the freedom struggle, and the ongoing journey towards self-reliance.
The overarching themes for the Republic Day 2026 celebrations were "Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram" and "Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat". These themes commemorated 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram and highlighted India's progress and achievements in various sectors through self-reliance.
Several states and union territories presented their unique cultural and developmental achievements through their tableaux. For instance, Kerala's tableau highlighted the state's Water Metro project and its achievement of 100% digital literacy, showcasing an "Aatmanirbhar Kerala for Aatmanirbhar Bharat". Similarly, Uttar Pradesh showcased the culture of Bundelkhand, blending its ancient heritage with the state's vision for rapid progress. West Bengal's tableau depicted Bengal's role in the Indian freedom movement, with Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and his composition 'Vande Mataram' at the forefront. Punjab's tableau was dedicated to the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, commemorating the 350th year of his martyrdom and his commitment to protecting human conscience, faith, and freedom. Gujarat's tableau highlighted 'Vande Mataram's' role in igniting the spirit of Swadeshi, self-reliance, and freedom in India's national movement.
Other notable tableaux included Assam's display of the Asharikandi terracotta craft village and Jammu and Kashmir's depiction of its rich handicrafts and folk dances. Himachal Pradesh showcased its identity as "Dev Bhoomi" and "Veer Bhoomi". Maharashtra's tableau presented Ganeshotsav as a symbol of self-reliance. Odisha's tableau showcased "Soil to Silicon: Rooted in Tradition, Rising with Innovation".
In addition to the state and UT tableaux, various ministries and departments also presented their initiatives and achievements. The Indian Navy's tableau was based on the theme "Anchored in Tradition, Sailing into Self-Reliance and Innovation" and featured INS Vikrant. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting’s tableau, themed “Bharat Katha: Shruti, Kriti, Drishti”, highlighted the continuity between India's civilisational wisdom and contemporary creative innovation.
The Republic Day Parade also featured a segment titled "Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram" with special tableaux and a new musical rendition composed by MM Keeravani and sung by Shreya Ghoshal. Complementing this was "Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat", showcasing India's progress toward self-reliance and prosperity.
The event was not only a display of India's cultural richness and progress but also an opportunity for citizens to participate in the celebration. The Ministry of Defence invited the public to vote for their favorite tableau and marching contingent.
The 77th Republic Day Parade successfully showcased India's commitment to unity, diversity, and progress, highlighting the importance of self-reliance and cultural heritage in the nation's journey forward.
