India marked its 76th Republic Day with a spectacular parade along the Kartavya Path, celebrating the nation’s military strength and rich cultural diversity. This year’s festivities held special significance as they coincided with the platinum jubilee of the Constitution’s enactment.

Indonesia’s President, Prabowo Subianto, attended as the chief guest, accompanied by a 352-member Indonesian marching and band contingent, which added an international dimension to the event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced the day by paying homage to fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial at India Gate. Following this, the Republic Day parade began at 10:30 a.m., with President Droupadi Murmu taking the salute as thousands of guests gathered to witness the grand celebration.

The parade featured 31 tableaux, including 16 from states and Union Territories and 15 from central ministries and organizations, under the theme Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas.

India’s military might was on full display, with cutting-edge defence systems such as the BrahMos missile, Pinaka rocket system, Akash air defence system, and DRDO’s Pralay tactical missile debuting in the parade. Other notable exhibits included the T-90 Bhishma tanks, Sarath infantry carrying vehicles, and the Nag Missile System. For the first time, the tri-services presented a joint tableau, emphasizing unity among the armed forces, while DRDO’s tableau, themed Raksha Kavach, showcased innovations in multi-layered defence against evolving threats.

The parade also highlighted nari shakti (women’s empowerment), featuring veteran women officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The iconic 61 Cavalry, the world’s last remaining active horsed cavalry regiment, led the mounted column.

The crowd was enthralled by a performance of motorcycle stunts by the Corps of Signals’ daredevils, followed by the grand finale—a flypast featuring 40 aircraft from the Indian Air Force, including the C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster, Su-30 fighter jets, and Indian Coast Guard Dornier aircraft.

Cultural performances from 5,000 artistes showcased India’s heritage, with a standout presentation of Sare Jahan Se Achha played by 300 musicians using instruments representing various regions of the country.

Security measures were heightened in Delhi, with over 70 companies of paramilitary forces and more than 70,000 police personnel ensuring safety. The capital was under a six-layered security cover, bolstered by 2,500 CCTV cameras with facial recognition, anti-drone systems, rooftop snipers, and restricted access to over 200 buildings along the parade route.

The celebrations concluded with a sense of pride and unity as India commemorated its journey as a republic and its achievements in defence, culture, and national spirit.