Republic Day 2026: Check this year's theme, parade and chief guests

The preparations are in full swing with only a few days left until the Republic Day. The celebrations will be held at New Delhi's Kartavya Path, organised by the Ministry of Defence.

From AI-generated informational videos to car-calling systems, Delhi Traffic Police has rolled out a slew of technology-driven measures to ensure smooth traffic flow and a hassle-free commute for people heading to Kartavya Path for the Republic Day parade and the Beating Retreat ceremony.

Here is all you need to know about the arrangements for the R-day.

• In a first, the traffic police has prepared detailed animated videos with the help of AI, depicting the arrival, alighting, departure and parking plans for invitees. Officials said the videos are aimed at familiarising visitors with the movement and parking arrangements well in advance.

• This year's chief guests include António Costa, the president of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

• Simran Bala, a 26-year-old CRPF Assistant Commandant hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, will lead an all-male contingent of her force during the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path.

  There have been instances when women Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers commanded various Republic Day contingents, however, this is the first time that a lady officer will command a party of more than 140 male personnel during the annual national event.

• Representing different dance forms of India, a mega group of nearly 2,500 artistes is set to perform on the Kartavya Path, during the 77th Republic Day parade, whose main theme will be the sesquicentenary of 'Vande Mataram'. The broader theme of the performance will be 'Swatantra Ka Mantra - Vande Mataram' and 'Samriddhi Ka Mantra - Viksit Bharat'.

• The members of the creative team that has worked on it include M M Keeravani as music director, Subhash Sehgal as lyricist, Anupam Kher as narrator and Santosh Nair as choreographer, under the overall supervision and direction of Sandhya Purecha.

• Officials in the Ministry of Culture said nearly 2,500 artistes will represent different dance forms of the country such as Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, and Manipuri.

• Additionally, around 400 tribals have been specially invited from across the country to watch the Republic Day parade. The representatives of the indigenous communities hailing from remote forests, highlands, and borderlands across the country will also get a chance to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They will join 5,000 "special guests", who have made exceptional contributions to nation-building, and their spouses, to watch the spectacle.

• The Republic Day parade tableau of the culture ministry this year will celebrate 150 years of 'Vande Mataram', symbolically showcasing its composition by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, colonial-era recording by a famous Marathi singer and its rendition by a group of 'Gen Z', officials said on Wednesday.

(With PTI inputs)