golden palasyo 76th Republic Day Celebrations: History, Theme, Beating Retreat, 21 Gun Salute | All You Need To Know

Republic Day parade in New Delhi Photo: PTI Republic Day parade in New Delhi Photo: PTI

In India, Republic Day celebrations hold immense significance as it is considered a national observance marking the adoption of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950. On January 26, 2025, India marks its 76th Republic Day.

The day is observed to pay tribute to the Constitution’s principles and the democratic framework it established encompassing justice, equality, and fraternity. The highlights of the celebrations include grand parades, cultural performances, and patriotic ceremonies.

January 26 celebrated as Republic Day: History, significance

Republic Day is celebrated commemorating the enactment of the constitution of India. January 26 was picked as the ‘date of commencement’ of the Constitution as, on this day in 1930, Purna Swaraj Day was declared.

On January 26, 1950, the constitution replaced the British Colonial Government of India Act (1935) as the official governing text of the nation which became the custodian of the fundamental rights and justice for all citizens.

Marking the birth of the Indian Republic, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, unfurled the national flag on January 26,panaloko gaming 1950.

Republic Day 2025: Theme

This year the Republic Day celebrations are taking place under the theme of 'Swarnim Bharat –Virasat aur Vikas’ (Golden India: Legacy and Progress) which highlights India’s rich cultural legacy and hopes for a brighter future. This year, the grand parade will be attended by the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as the chief guest.

Hockey India on Wednesday (August 28) named an 18-member squad led by ace drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh for the tournament, with Krishan Bahadur Pathak expectedly being promoted to main goalkeeper duties following PR Sreejesh's international retirement.

Tableaux of 16 States/UTs and 10 Ministries/Departments of the Union Government will be showcased during the parade. A 160-member marching contingent and a 190-member band from Indonesia will join Indian Armed Forces contingents on the Kartavya Path.

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Republic Day Parade

Historically, between 1950 and 1954, the grand parade showcasing the military strength of India was held at Irwin Amphitheatre (formerly known as National Stadium), Kingsway (now Kartavya Path), Red Fort, and Ramlila grounds. Since 1955, the parade has been strictly held at Rajpath (now renamed Kartavya Path).

The first Republic Day parade occurred in 1950. The event featured the participation of more than 100 aircraft and 3,000 personnel from the Indian military.

How long do the celebrations last?

Before 2022, the Republic Day Celebrations used to begin on 24th January. In a bid to include the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the government shifted the start date to 23rd January.

The Beating Retreat Ceremony is held on 29th January and marks the conclusion of the Republic Day Celebrations.

About the Beating Retreat Ceremony

The Beating Retreat ceremony marks the end of Republic Day celebrations. The traditional event includes military music, and bands from the Indian Armed Forces.

The tradition of Beating Retreat dates back to the initial days of organized warfare where the beating of drums marked the day's conclusion.

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21-Gun Salute

The 21-gun salute is another traditional ritual and an intrinsic part of the Republic Day celebrations. The ceremonial honour is accorded to the President of India.

Here the gun firing exactly matches the length of our National Anthem. While the first firing occurs at the beginning of the National Anthemgolden palasyo, the last one occurs right after 52 seconds. During the 21-Gun Salute, firing is done in three rounds using seven canons.