Republic Day 2027 गणतंत्र दिवस

Why Republic Day is celebrated

On 26 January 1950, India stopped being a dominion under the British Crown and began to govern itself under its own Constitution. From that morning the head of state was an elected President, not a king in London. Republic Day celebrates this change. It honours the idea that power in India comes from its people and that every citizen is equal before the law.

Independence Day reminds us of freedom won from foreign rule. Republic Day reminds us of the rules we chose to live by after that freedom. The Constitution gives each citizen fundamental rights, such as equality, freedom of speech and freedom of religion. It also lists fundamental duties, such as respecting the national flag and protecting public property. Schools, offices and housing societies use the day to read the Preamble aloud and talk about these rights and duties.

The day is also a show of national unity. Soldiers, farmers, artists and children from every state take part in the celebrations in New Delhi. The parade shows India's defence strength, but it also shows the country's languages, dances, crafts and scientific progress. For many families, watching the parade on television in the morning is a yearly ritual.

History and story of Republic Day

The choice of date goes back twenty years before 1950. At its Lahore session in December 1929, the Indian National Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, passed a resolution demanding Purna Swaraj, or complete self rule. Congress asked Indians to observe 26 January 1930 as Purna Swaraj Day. People across the country took a pledge for full independence that day, and the date was marked every year until 1947.

After independence on 15 August 1947, the Constituent Assembly continued its work on a Constitution. The Drafting Committee was chaired by Dr B.R. Ambedkar. The Assembly debated every article for nearly three years. It adopted the final text on 26 November 1949, a date now observed as Constitution Day or Samvidhan Divas. Leaders decided to bring the Constitution into force on 26 January 1950 so that the old Purna Swaraj Day would gain a new meaning.

On that day Dr Rajendra Prasad took the oath as the first President of India. The first parade was held at the Irwin Amphitheatre, the ground now called the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi. President Sukarno of Indonesia was the chief guest. In later years the parade moved to Rajpath, the grand avenue between Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate. The road was renamed Kartavya Path in 2022.

Each year India invites one or more foreign leaders as chief guests. For the 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026, the chief guests were the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. The parade theme marked 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram.

How Republic Day is celebrated

Celebrations start on the evening of 25 January, when the President addresses the nation on radio and television. The government also announces the Padma awards and gallantry awards around this time.

On the morning of 26 January, the Prime Minister lays a wreath at the National War Memorial to honour soldiers who died for the country. The President then arrives at Kartavya Path with the chief guest. The national flag is unfurled, the national anthem is played and a 21 gun salute follows. Gallantry awards such as the Ashoka Chakra may be presented on the spot.

The parade itself follows a set order. Marching contingents of the Army, Navy and Air Force pass the saluting dais, followed by paramilitary forces, the NCC and bands. Tanks, missiles and other equipment roll past. Colourful tableaux from states, union territories and central ministries show local culture, history and development schemes. School children perform folk dances. The show ends with a flypast of fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters.

Across the country, governors unfurl the flag in state capitals and district officers do the same at district headquarters. Schools hold flag hoisting, speeches, quiz contests and patriotic songs, and sweets such as laddoo are distributed. Many people wear tricolour badges. Housing societies and offices hold small flag ceremonies.

Celebrations formally close on the evening of 29 January with the Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk. Military bands play tunes as the sun sets and the flags are lowered, after which Rashtrapati Bhavan and nearby buildings light up.

Republic Day across India

Every state holds its own official function. In Uttarakhand, the main state ceremony is usually held at the Parade Ground in Dehradun, where the Governor unfurls the flag, inspects the parade and watches tableaux from state departments. District headquarters in Garhwal and Kumaon hold similar functions.

Uttarakhand sends a large number of young people into the armed forces, so the day carries special pride in many hill families. Regiments with deep roots in the state, such as the Garhwal Rifles and the Kumaon Regiment, have often marched on Kartavya Path. In Dehradun, schools, colleges and ex-servicemen's groups also hold their own events.