By India showcased its cultural diversity and military prowess during the Republic Day Parade at New Delhi’s Kartavya Path on Sunday (January 26, 2025). The 90-minute Parade blended tradition and progress, with the participation of dignitaries, the armed forces, cultural performers, and citizens from across the country.
This year’s Republic Day celebrations marked the platinum jubilee of the enactment of the Constitution.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was the Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parade 2025. One of the highlights was the participation of 352 Indonesian Armed Forces personnel comprising both the marching contingent and marching band in India’s Republic Day Parade.
“Glimpses from the Republic Day Celebrations 2025…
A vibrant display of India’s unity in diversity. The magnificent parade showcased cultural heritage and military prowess. The vibrant tableaux represented the rich traditions of our states,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on social media platform X as he shared photographs of the parade.
Highlights of Republic Day Parade 2025
1. The Indian Army’s Mechanised Columns featured T-90 Bhishma tanks, NAMIS, BMP-II, Infantry Vehicles, BrahMos missile systems, Pinaka rocket launchers, Agnibaan, Akash air defense systems, Integrated Battlefield Surveillance System (IBSS), and Short Span Bridge, showcasing unparalleled strength and technological supremacy.
2. With the theme ‘Raksha Kavach – Multi-layer Protection against Multi-domain Threats’, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO’s) tableau highlightedIndia’s cutting-edge defense technologies, emphasizing its unwavering commitment to achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defense manufacturing.
3. For the first time, DRDO showcased the ‘Pralay’ Weapon System, a surface-to-surface tactical missile developed with cutting-edge technologies.
4. The parade featured 31 tableaux from states, union territories, and central ministries on the theme “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas” (Golden India: Heritage and Development). Two special tableaux commemorated the 75th year of the Indian Constitution, celebrating its foundational principles of justice, liberty, and equality.
5. The Republic Day Parade concluded with a flypast by Indian Air Force aircraft, including Su-30 fighter jets, 130J Super Hercules and C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, and helicopters.
In line with the principle of Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation), 10,000 special guests from 34 categories were invited to witness the parade. These guests included
500 sarpanches from villages excelling in government schemes; 400 ASHA workers, 400 water conservationists, and 500 artisans excelling in handicrafts and handlooms;
300 disaster relief workers; and 200 beneficiaries of the PM KUSUM scheme.
Celebrating 75 Glorious Years
In her address to the nation on the eve of the 76th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu hailed India’s recent achievements, including the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO’s) space docking mission and the performance by Indian sportspersons at the international level, including at the Olympic Games.
She also congratulated the soldiers guarding the border, police, and paramilitary personnel in addition to members of the judiciary, the bureaucracy, and the Indian Missions abroad.
In his message to the people of India, Prime Minister Modi expressed hope that this occasion would strengthen efforts towards preserving the ideals of the nation’s Constitution and working towards a stronger and prosperous India.
“Happy Republic Day.
Today, we celebrate 75 glorious years of being a Republic. We bow to all the great women and men who made our Constitution and ensured that our journey is rooted in democracy, dignity and unity. May this occasion strengthen our efforts towards preserving the ideals of our Constitution and working towards a stronger and prosperous India,” Prime Minister Modi said on X on Sunday.