NEW DELHI, 26/01/2026:Operation Sindoor Indian Defence Forces tableau rolls past during the 77th Republic Day Parade celebrations, at Kartavya Path in New Delhi Monday. January 26, 2026. Photo: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR / The Hindu
| Photo Credit:
SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
The Republic Day parade in its 77th edition on Monday shifted subtly from tradition, unfolding as a carefully choreographed narrative that blended military might, cultural memory and visual storytelling. From battlefield-style marching sequences to river-themed enclosures and immersive installations, the 2026 parade at Kartavya Path signalled a conscious shift in how the nation tells its Republic Day story.
At the heart of this refreshed presentation was Operation Sindoor, whose success formed the spine of the military display. The parade’s structure departed from the linear drills of previous years, replacing them with a progression that mirrored modern combat scenarios, from reconnaissance and surveillance to mechanised assault and command integration.
Besides, the inclusion of animal and robotic elements added to the character of the 77th Republic Day parade held at Kartavya Path.
The tone was set at the very outset with the arrival of President Droupadi Murmu, accompanied by the chief guests, President of the European Council Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in a ceremonial horse-drawn carriage escorted by the President’s Bodyguard. The return of the President’s traditional buggy, absent in recent years, lent the opening moments a stately flourish and an unmistakably old-world charm.
One of the most striking visual departures from the past parades was the redesign of spectator enclosures, named after rivers instead of the conventional block system. Adding to the spectacle were animal contingents and robotic elements, underscoring the evolving character of India’s armed forces.
For the first time, animals from the Indian Army’s Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) marched down the Kartavya Path, highlighting the role of animals in defending the country’s borders. The contingent featured a diverse group including two Bactrian camels, four Zanskari ponies, four trained birds of prey (raptors) and sixteen army dogs comprising indigenous and traditional military breeds.
The military segment unfolded like a moving battlefield map. Contingents were sequenced to reflect operational logic, reconnaissance units leading the way, followed by combat formations, mechanised columns and integrated command-and-control displays. Aerial elements, ground-based platforms and support systems appeared in phased battle arrays, reinforcing Operation Sindoor as more than a symbolic reference.
Large-scale visual installations inspired by paintings and calligraphic interpretations of Vande Mataram lined the ceremonial route from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial. These installations formed a continuous visual arc commemorating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, the national song, making cultural memory an integral part of the parade rather than a backdrop.
Weapon systems took centre stage in this narrative. Advanced missile platforms including the Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile, Akash Weapon System and ABHRA Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile were showcased alongside the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. Artillery and rocket systems such as the Suryastra Universal Rocket Launcher, Dhanush Gun System and Amogh Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System rolled past the saluting dais, while DRDO presented the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile in launcher configuration.
Balancing the military emphasis were vibrant cultural performances and tableaux from States, Union Territories and central ministries. Through dance, music and visual motifs, these presentations highlighted regional traditions, heritage crafts and folk forms, while also weaving in themes of self-reliance, innovation and technological progress.
Together, the elements made the Republic Day parade of 2026 markedly different, less a ceremonial procession and more a curated national narrative. By placing Operation Sindoor at its core and framing culture and history as living, visual experiences, this year’s parade offered a glimpse of how India intends to project its identity at home and abroad.
Published on January 26, 2026
