• President of India Droupadi Murmu unfurled the National Flag, followed by the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute using 105-millimeter (mm) Light Field Guns by the 1721 Ceremonial Battery of the 172 Field Regiment.

Highlights of 77th Republic Day Celebrations :
Theme: The 77th republic celebrations were held under the theme titled “150 Years of Vande Mataram”
Paid Tribute: The ceremony started with Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi paying tribute at the National War Memorial, followed by him and other dignitaries witnessing the parade at Kartavya Path.
Chief Guests: Antonio Costa, President of the European Council; and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, participated at the event as Chief Guest, marking the first time the top leaders of the EU were invited together.
Music Composer: Oscar-winning composer M.M. Keeravani composed a special musical piece for the Republic Day Parade 2026, with the performance marking the 150th anniversary of the Vande Mataram.
Parade Command: The parade was commanded by Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, a second-generation officer, while Major General Navraj Dhillon, Chief of Staff(CoS), Headquarters(HQ) Delhi Area and a third-generation officer, served as the Parade Second-in-Command.
Hypersonic Arsenal Unveiled: Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), showcased its first Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM), developed by the DRDO. It is a hypersonic glide missile designed primarily to meet the coastal defence needs of the IN.
Bharat Parv: It was organised at the Red Fort, in New Delhi, from 26 to 31 January 2026 by the Ministry of Tourism(MoT). The festival will showcase Republic Day tableaux, regional cuisine displays and sales, handicrafts and handlooms, cultural and heritage performances, central ministries stalls, and a citizen engagement zone.
Beating Retreat Ceremony: The Beating Retreat will be held on 29 January 2026 at Vijay Chowk(New Delhi), marking the formal end of Republic Day celebrations. It followed the centuries-old military tradition of troops ceasing battle, sheathing arms, and returning to camp at sunset.