Republic Day celebrations 2026 at Kartavya Path will centre on the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram, blending India’s military strength with its cultural diversity, the Defence Ministry announced on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said the Republic Day Parade (RDP) on January 26 will feature a range of first-time attractions, including a phased battle array display by the Indian Army, while the President of the European Council António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will attend as chief guests.
150 years of Vande Mataram as central theme
The parade’s overarching theme, “150 Years of Vande Mataram”, will be reflected across visuals, tableaux, music, decorations and cultural performances. A series of paintings created in 1923 by artist Tejendra Kumar Mitra, illustrating the verses of Vande Mataram, will be displayed along Kartavya Path as view-cutters. A large banner depicting “वंदेमातरम्” will be unveiled at the conclusion of the parade, accompanied by the release of rubber balloons.
