India marked its 77th Republic Day with pride, power and pageantry as the national capital witnessed a spectacular parade along the iconic Kartavya Path on Monday. The celebrations reflected India’s growing military strength, cultural unity and constitutional commitment, drawing thousands of spectators and global attention.
President Droupadi Murmu led the celebrations, accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while the presence of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa as chief guests highlighted India’s expanding strategic and diplomatic influence on the world stage. The central theme of this year’s parade commemorated 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, symbolising the spirit of freedom and national unity.
A major highlight of the parade was the public showcase of Operation Sindoor, a decisive military campaign that demonstrated the Indian Armed Forces’ ability to conduct swift and coordinated operations. A specially designed Integrated Operational Centre rolled down Kartavya Path, depicting how the operation neutralised over 100 terrorists and enemy soldiers and dismantled critical strategic assets within just 88 hours. The display underlined seamless coordination between the Army, Navy and Air Force, reinforcing India’s preparedness for modern warfare.
For the first time, the Indian Army presented a phased Battle Array Format that included aerial components, signalling a new era of integrated combat readiness. The parade featured high-mobility reconnaissance vehicles and India’s first indigenously designed armoured light specialist vehicle, showcasing the country’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The battlefield prowess of the forces was further highlighted through a spectacular flypast by attack helicopters including RUDRA, Apache AH-64E and the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand.
The aerial salute reached its emotional peak when Mi-17 helicopters flew in the ‘Dhwaj Formation’, carrying the national and service flags before showering flower petals over Kartavya Path, creating a moment of reverence and national pride.
A historic moment unfolded as CRPF Assistant Commandant Simran Bala became the first woman officer to command an all-male contingent of the force at the Republic Day parade. Her leadership marked a significant step forward in gender representation within India’s uniformed services. Equally striking was the march of the 61st Cavalry, the world’s only active horse-mounted cavalry regiment, which upheld centuries-old traditions of valour and horsemanship.
India’s rich cultural diversity was vividly reflected through state and Union Territory tableaux that showcased heritage, innovation and regional pride. From the intricate crafts of Jammu and Kashmir and the spiritual legacy of Bundelkhand in Uttar Pradesh to Tamil Nadu’s fusion of tradition and technology and Gujarat’s tribute to freedom icon Bhikaji Cama, each tableau narrated a unique story of India’s civilisational depth and modern aspirations.
The Union Home Ministry’s tableau drew attention to landmark reforms in India’s criminal justice system, highlighting the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. Set against the backdrop of the Constitution of India, the display reinforced the nation’s commitment to justice, transparency and citizen-centric governance in the digital age.
International participation added another dimension to the celebrations, with a European Union military contingent marching in the parade, symbolising cooperation in global maritime security. Security arrangements for the event were extensive, with over 30,000 Delhi Police personnel deployed and advanced AI-based surveillance systems ensuring smooth and safe conduct of the celebrations.
The 77th Republic Day parade stood as a powerful reminder of India’s journey as a vibrant republic. Blending military strength, cultural heritage and democratic values, the celebrations reflected a confident nation moving steadily towards its vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.