India marks 77th Republic Day with Kartavya Path parade as EU chiefs attend

A national celebration in New Delhi

India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on Monday, 26 January 2026, with the main ceremony unfolding on Kartavya Path in New Delhi. Thousands of spectators lined the boulevard to watch the parade commemorating the adoption of India’s Constitution on 26 January 1950. The event combined ceremonial pageantry with a display of capability, featuring marching contingents, bands and a carefully choreographed programme built around national pride and public participation.

The parade highlighted domestically produced military equipment moving in formation, alongside units from India’s military and paramilitary forces. The programme also leaned heavily into the cultural spectrum of the country, with colourful dance troupes, state and ministry floats, and performances designed to represent regional diversity. A flypast by Indian Air Force aircraft formed the finale, reinforcing the mix of tradition and modern force projection that has become central to Republic Day messaging.

EU leaders attend as chief guests

This year’s chief guests included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, whose presence drew attention to India’s expanding engagement with the European Union. Their attendance signalled the political importance attached to the India–EU relationship, especially with additional high-level discussions scheduled immediately after the parade. The optics of the leaders arriving and being received alongside India’s top constitutional authorities underlined the diplomatic weight of the visit.

Beyond spectacle, Republic Day functions as a public statement of constitutional identity, strategic posture and cultural breadth—compressed into a single, nationally televised ceremony.

Security and celebrations nationwide

As in previous years, Republic Day was not limited to the national capital. Parades and public events were held in state capitals and major cities across India, accompanied by heightened security. Authorities typically increase vigilance around 26 January due to the scale of public gatherings and the symbolic significance of the date, and the 2026 celebrations followed that pattern with visible policing and layered checks around key venues.

Across the country, the day also carried its usual blend of official programming and civic expression—schools, public institutions and community groups marking the occasion with flag hoisting, cultural items and messages focused on constitutional values. The central parade in Delhi remained the primary national broadcast, but the overall footprint of Republic Day was evident in parallel ceremonies that echoed the same themes of unity, service and democratic continuity.