On Sunday, January 26, 2025, a chilly winter morning gave way to a bright, sunny afternoon, welcoming thousands of people to Kartavya Path for India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations. President Droupadi Murmu led the festivities, with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as the special guest for the ceremony in New Delhi.
The theme for the 2025 Republic Day was ‘Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas’, focusing on India’s military strength while highlighting the country’s development and cultural diversity. The Indonesian Army added a special touch to the event with a captivating performance by their music band.
India Republic Day 2025 Highlights
India Republic Day 2025
The parade highlighted the 75th anniversary of the enactment of the Indian Constitution and celebrated Jan Bhagidari. The event showcased a unique blend of India’s rich cultural diversity, unity, equality, and military prowess.
Floral decorations and statues, as well as tableaux commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of tribal activist Birsa Munda and the 75 years of the Constitution, with a special focus on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar—the “father of the Indian Constitution”—were key features of the ceremony.
In total, around 10,000 special guests from various walks of life were invited to attend the Republic Day Parade. According to the Defence Ministry, over 77,000 passes were issued for the event, with 32,000 passes sold to the public.
President Droupadi Murmu led the nation in celebrating the 76th Republic Day from Kartavya Path in New Delhi. The Republic Day Parade commenced at Kartavya Path, showcasing India’s rich cultural diversity and military strength through vibrant tableaux and marching contingents.
State chief ministers and governors also celebrated the day with festivities in their respective state capitals. The ceremony began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the National War Memorial on Sunday morning, where he paid tribute to the fallen heroes.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto graced the event as the Chief Guest for Republic Day 2025. Approximately 10,000 special guests were invited to witness the parade.
The parade started with President Droupadi Murmu taking the salute. It was heralded by 300 cultural artists performing ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha’ with traditional musical instruments from across the country. The parade also saw the march-past of the Indonesian National Armed Forces’ Marching Contingent and the Military Band of Indonesia’s Military Academy.
Tableaux from 16 state governments and Union Territories, along with 10 ministries and departments of the Centre, participated in the parade, highlighting the theme ‘Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas.’
The parade concluded with an awe-inspiring ‘fly-past’ and an air show featuring 40 aircraft and helicopters, leaving the audience mesmerized.
The ceremony culminated with the national anthem and the release of balloons carrying banners with the official logo celebrating 75 years of the Constitution’s enactment, in both English and Hindi.