India marks 77th Republic Day at Kartavya Path with grand parade, EU leaders attend

A Republic Day with pageantry, security and diplomacy

On 26 January 2026, India marked its 77th Republic Day with the central celebrations held at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. The national event, traditionally the country’s largest annual ceremonial showcase, combined a military parade, cultural performances and state/ministries’ tableaux to highlight India’s heritage and contemporary priorities. The day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution, which came into force on 26 January 1950.

President Droupadi Murmu presided over the ceremony. As is customary, the proceedings included the national anthem, a ceremonial salute, marching contingents and displays of equipment. The parade is also a major public moment for messaging on national unity, governance and India’s development agenda.

EU participation draws attention

This year’s celebrations drew particular attention for the presence of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa. Their attendance was widely seen as reinforcing the growing political and economic engagement between India and the European Union, with Republic Day often used by New Delhi to spotlight important international partnerships.

Photos from the event captured formations of troops, military hardware on display and a packed ceremonial boulevard, alongside cultural troupes representing India’s diverse regions. Across the country, states held their own Republic Day events under heightened security, a routine feature for large public gatherings on the national holiday.

What the parade signals

Republic Day serves several purposes at once: a public tribute to constitutional democracy, a carefully staged display of defence preparedness, and an avenue for cultural representation through dance, music and floats. For many viewers, it is also a snapshot of how India wants to present itself to domestic audiences and the world—confident, plural and increasingly central to global diplomacy.

Beyond the spectacle, the day is also marked by civic messages from leaders and parties, with calls to uphold constitutional values and protect democratic institutions. As political debate intensifies in many parts of the world, India’s annual Republic Day ritual continues to frame the Constitution as a shared national anchor.