By Deepak Bora and our Managing Editor.
India is celebrating its 77th Republic Day today, with President Droupadi Murmu presiding over the grand festivities at Kartavya Path, Delhi. Joining her as Chief Guests are Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
As per tradition, the national flag was unfurled, followed by the national anthem with a thunderous 21-gun salute using 105 mm light field guns, an indigenously developed artillery system. The 21-gun salute was presented by the 1721 Ceremonial Battery of the 172 Field Regiment.
President Droupadi Murmu unfurled the Tricolour at the Kartavya Path on Monday (January 26, 2026). She arrived in a ceremonial buggy, escorted by the President’s Bodyguard (Rashtrapati ke Angrakshak) for the 77th Republic Day celebrations. She was accompanied by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council, Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, who are the chief guests at this year’s Republic Day celebrations.
As the 77th Republic Day celebrations began at the Kartavya Path, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid a wreath at the National War Memorial at the historical India Gate. Present alongside the PM was the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Chief of Defence Services General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of Air Staf Air Chief Marshal APS Singh, and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi.
A total of 30 tableaux – 17 of States/Union Territories and 13 of Ministries/Departments/Services are rolling down the Kartavya Path with a broad theme of ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
The tableaux will show a unique mix of 150 years of national song Vande Mataram and the nation’s rapid progress on the back of the growing self-reliance across sectors, dipped in its rich and vibrant cultural diversity.
Camel contingent of the BSF under the command Deputy Commandant Mahendra Pal Singh Rathore mounted on his camel Chetak marches on Kartavya Path. Marching in front of the saluting base are the regal camels of the BSF, followed by the iconic Camel Mounted Band. The contingent comprises three SOs and 50 Camel Riders. These camels, often called the ‘ships of the desert,’ are the only dependable companions of BSF personnel in the harsh and inhospitable terrains of the Thar Desert of Rajasthan and the Rann of Kutch.
Right after them, comes the only band of its kind in the world, the Camel Mounted Band of the BSF. Band Master Sub Inspector Amal Chatopadhyay is leading these bandsmen who are playing ‘Hum Hai Seema Suraksha Bal’. Raised in 1986-87 by the Rajasthan Frontier of the BSF, the band is a permanent feature in the Desert and Marwar Festivals.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)’s tableau marches along the Kartavya Path. The tableau, led by A. Prasad Goud, represents DRDO’s Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LR-ASHM).
The Tri Services tableau of the Indian Defence Forces depicts Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness, symbolising the collective strength, unity, and integration of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force in safeguarding national sovereignty. The tableau represents India’s resolve to respond decisively through synchronised planning, joint execution, and seamless coordination across all domains of warfare.
”It is the honour of a lifetime to be Chief Guests at the Republic Day celebrations,” the European Commission chief Ursula Von der Leyen said.
