The Republic Day Celebrations 2026 at Kartavya Path on January 26, 2026, can be distinctive mix of 150 years of the nationwide music ‘Vande Mataram’, India’s army would possibly and cultural range, officers stated.
This can be first Republic Day parade after Operation Sindoor – India’s precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir within the aftermath of Pahalgam assault in Jammu and Kashmir in April final yr.
On the parade, India will showcase its army would possibly, together with its newly-raised Bhairav mild commando battalion and a variety of indigenous platforms, in a phased battle array format.
First time in ‘phased battle array’ formation
Officers advised information company PTI stated that in a brand new format launched this yr, key Military property together with indigenous platforms, accompanied by personnel, will roll down the Kartavya Path in a “phased battle array formation”.
This implies they may, for the primary time, transfer down the ceremonial boulevard in a formation as they might in any battle situation, beginning with reconnaissance, adopted by different army items similar to logistics and personnel accompanying these platforms, who can be seen carrying battle gear, officers had been quoted as saying by information company PTI. this new format seeks to make the parade-watching extra partaking for spectators.
“The aerial element may even be proven in battle array formation,” Defence Secretary RK Singh stated, with out elaborating on 16 January.
Bhairav mild commando battalion to debut
The newly raised Bhairav mild commando battalion will make its Republic Day Parade debut this January 26 whereas key Military property together with indigenous platforms accompanied with personnel will roll down the Kartavya Path in a “phased battle array formation”, officers advised the company.
The sunshine commando battalion, which was raised round October final yr, had taken half within the Military Day Parade on Thursday held this yr in a civil space in Jaipur.
Interacting with reporters in Jaipur earlier this month, Military Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi stated the Bhairav Battalion has been launched to “bridge the hole” between the infantry and particular forces.
Apart from, the flypast on the ceremonial occasion will showcase Rafale, Su-30, P8I, MiG-29, Apache, LCH (Gentle Fight Helicopter), ALH (Superior Gentle Helicopter), Mi-17 helicopters in numerous formations and transport plane C-130 and C-295, they stated.
The sesquicentenary of ‘Vande Mataram‘ would be the dominant theme of this yr’s Republic Day Parade, with enclosure backdrops alongside the Kartavya Path displaying previous work illustrating the opening stanzas of the Nationwide Track and floral artworks on the most important stage paying homage to its composer Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
President of the European Fee, Ursula von der Leyen, and President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, would be the chief company on the parade.
The defence property that can be showcased in the course of the parade will embrace BrahMos, Akash missile system, Medium Vary Floor-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) system, Superior Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Dhanush artillery gun, Shaktiban and a static show of some drones, Singh advised reporters in response to a question.
No ‘VVIP’ labels
In a departure from conventional observe, ‘VVIP’ and different labels, used earlier for enclosures on the parade venue, is not going to be used. As a substitute, all enclosures have been named after Indian rivers, senior officers of the defence ministry stated on Friday.
These embrace Beas, Brahmaputra, Chambal, Chenab, Gandak, Ganga, Ghagra, Godavari, Sindhu, Jhelum, Kaveri, Kosi, Krishna, Mahanadi, Narmada, Pennar, Periyar, Ravi, Sone, Sutlej, Teesta, Vaigai, and Yamuna, they stated.
Equally, for the Beating Retreat Ceremony on January 29, enclosures can be named on Indian devices – bansuri, damaru, ektara, esraj, mridangam, nagada, pakhawaj, santoor, sarangi, sarinda, sarod, shehnai, sitar, surbahar, tabla and veena.
Superior Programs on Show
The Indian Military can be represented by a Mounted Column of 61 Cavalry & Battle Array Formation (first time), Seven marching contingents. HMRV (Excessive Mobility Recce Veh – BFSR & ATGM) and Dhruv Heptr, T-90, Predominant Battle Tank Arjun, BMP-II & NAMIS-II Nag Missile System, IOC (Built-in Operational Centre), UGVs, ATV (All Terrain Veh), LSV (Gentle Strike Veh) with Trailer (Robotic Mules & UGV), Shaktiban, ATAGS and Dhanush, URLS and Brahmos, Akash & MRSAM, Drone Shakti and Glacier ATV would be the most important sights within the mechanized columns.
Inducted into the Particular Forces in 2024, robotic mules have already featured within the Military Day parade in Pune and Republic Day celebrations in Kolkata earlier this yr.
A complete of seven marching contingents of the Military. As many as 18 Marching Contingents and 13 bands will participate within the RDC-2026. The flypast will showcase Rafale, Su-30, P8i, C-295, Mig-29, Apache, LCH, ALH, Mi-17 in numerous formations.
One other spotlight of the parade can be veterans’ Tableau by Indian Air Power. It can present a glimpse of veterans’ contributions for the Nation.
This new format seeks to make the parade-watching extra partaking for spectators.
The parade can be heralded by a bunch of 100 cultural artists with Indian martial musical devices. Thirty tableaux – 17 from numerous states and Union Territories (UTs), and 13 from ministries and companies — will roll down the Kartavya Path, officers stated.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Republic Day Parade will introduce a phased battle array format, enhancing spectator engagement.
- The Bhairav mild commando battalion will make its debut, bridging infantry and particular forces.
- The parade will have a good time India’s army would possibly whereas honoring its cultural heritage by means of the sesquicentenary of ‘Vande Mataram’.
