President of the European Council, Mr. Antonio Costa, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will be the chief guests at this year’s parade, marking India’s strong international relations.
Vande Mataram: Parade Theme
The parade theme, celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram, will feature paintings by Shri Tejendra Kumar Mitra (1923) displayed as view-cutters along Kartavya Path. A banner with ‘वंदेमातरम्’ will be unveiled and accompanied by the release of rubber balloons.
Pan-India band performances on the theme will be staged by the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and CAPFs from January 19–26, 2026, including at Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s residence in West Bengal.
Battle Array & Military Display
The Indian Army will showcase a phased Battle Array format for the first time, including mechanized columns of T-90, Arjun tanks, ATAGS, Dhanush artillery, BrahMos, Akash missiles, UGVs, and all-terrain vehicles. Seven marching contingents, including animal contingents with Zanskar ponies and Bactrian camels, will participate along with Ladakh Scouts, RAJPUT, ASSAM, and other units.
The fly-past will feature 29 aircraft, including Rafale, Su-30, P8i, C-295, MiG-29, Apache, LCH, ALH, and Mi-17 helicopters, culminating the parade.
Special Guests & Inclusivity
Over 10,000 individuals from diverse walks of life, including athletes, farmers, innovators, women entrepreneurs, artisans, and beneficiaries of government schemes, will witness the parade as special guests. Notable participants include winners of Veer Gatha 5.0, contributors to green hydrogen initiatives, and participants of the Youth Exchange Programme 2026.
Tableaux & Cultural Performances
Thirty tableaux—17 from States/UTs and 13 from Ministries/Departments—will roll down Kartavya Path. Themes range from Assam’s craft village, Kerala’s Water Metro, Tamil Nadu’s EV manufacturing hub, to Ministry of Culture’s “Vande Mataram: The Soul-Cry of a Nation.”
Approximately 2,500 artists will perform, directed by Dr. Sandhya Purecha, with music by M.M. Keeravani, lyrics by Subhash Sehgal, and narration by Anupam Kher.
National School Band Competition & Veer Gatha
The National School Band Competition featured 763 bands from 33 States/UTs, selecting 16 finalist teams to perform during the Republic Day Parade. Veer Gatha 5.0 involved 1.92 crore school students across India, with 100 winners attending the parade to honor Armed Forces’ gallantry and sacrifices.
Citizen Convenience & Participation
The Rashtraparv Portal and e-invitation system facilitate online ticket booking, seating, and event details. Free Park & Ride and Metro facilities are provided on January 26, 2026. Enclosures are Divyang-friendly with volunteers, drinking water, first aid, and rain contingency measures. Couples in traditional attire from each State/UT are specially invited.
Bharat Parv & E-Ticketing
‘Bharat Parv’ will run at Red Fort from January 26–31, 2026, showcasing tableaux, regional cuisine, handicrafts, and citizen engagement zones. E-ticketing and mobile apps ensure secure, paperless participation for citizens nationwide.