Kumar Bahukhandi
Contingent rehearsing ahead of the 77th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on Monday. | Photo Credit:PTI
Delhi Police on high alert with over 30,000 personnel, AI surveillance for Republic Day
India will display its development journey, cultural diversity, and military might, including newly-raised units and mock-ups of major weapon systems deployed during Operation Sindoor, at the 77th Republic Day celebrations on Monday January 26, 2026. The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will be the chief guests at the event in the national capital.
Security has been tightened along the India-Nepal border following specific intelligence received by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) regarding possible activities by ‘anti-national elements’ on Republic Day. Commandant Ganga Singh Udawat of the 42nd Battalion of the SSB on Sunday (January 25, 2026) told PTI that specific information had been received that ‘anti-national elements’ might carry out untoward activities on January 26.
The government will also host the annual ‘Bharat Parv’, a six-day national cultural and tourism festival, from January 26 at the Red Fort lawns as part of the Republic Day celebrations, officials said on Sunday January 25, 2026 . It will be inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the tourism ministry said.
January 26, 2026 08:02
Watch: Republic Day 2026 celebrated at 16,000 feet in Sikkim
January 26, 2026 07:53
Social Justice Ministry hosts R-Day special guests, says committed to inclusive development
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on Sunday (January 25, 2026) held an interaction programme with beneficiaries invited as special guests to witness the Republic Day Ceremony, 2026.
The event was held at the Dr Ambedkar National Memorial, Delhi, bringing together participants from 17 states and Union territories.
A total of 244 beneficiaries attended the programme, including 151 participants under the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNT Communities (SEED), 42 beneficiaries under SMILE (Transgender), and 51 beneficiaries under SMILE (Beggary), a statement by the Ministry said.
The special guests were invited in recognition of their inspiring journeys and progress achieved through the welfare schemes of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The programme was chaired by the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar, who interacted with the beneficiaries and listened to their experiences and success stories.
-PTI
January 26, 2026 07:49
Republic Day Parade to see many firsts: Suryastra system, Bhairav Battalion, Bactrian camels
Rocket launcher system ‘Suryastra’ with deep-strike capabilities, newly raised Bhairav light commando battalion, and Zanskar ponies and Bactrian camels will be part of the Republic Day Parade for the first time, officials said on Friday (January 23, 2026).
Marking a first, the contingent members of the mounted 61 Cavalry will be seen in battle gear, and key Army assets, including indigenous platforms accompanied with personnel, will roll down the Kartavya Path in a “phased battle array formation”.
The 61 Cavalry, known for its imposing presence as its members wear ceremonial uniform and a striking headgear, has traditionally been the leading contingent of the armed forces in the ceremonial parade.
Republic Day Parade to see many firsts: Suryastra system, Bhairav Battalion, Bactrian camels
The Republic Day Parade will showcase new military assets and debut formations, featuring 6,000 personnel and unique animal contingents.
January 26, 2026 07:44
Delhi Police on high alert with over 30,000 personnel, AI surveillance for Republic Day
The Delhi Police is on high alert with over 30,000 personnel deputed citywide in a multi-layered security net for the Republic Day celebrations, officials said.
Around 10,000 police personnel are stationed in the New Delhi district alone, which contains the ceremonial parade route and high-security zones, they say.
Additional Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahala said, “For the safety and security of Republic Day celebrations, approximately 10,000 police personnel are deployed in the New Delhi area. Pickets, barricades and all standard operating procedures are in place.” Deployment plans, point-wise briefings and contingency measures have been explained to all personnel, and rehearsals have been conducted, he said.
-PTI
January 26, 2026 07:30
Preparations underway for Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path in Delhi
January 26, 2026 07:29
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extends Republic Day greetings
January 26, 2026 07:20
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio extends R-Day greeting to India, praises Quad connect
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wished India on Republic Day, as he appreciated Quad cooperation between the countries on defence and other fronts.
He said that the U.S.-India relationship delivers “real results” for the two countries through close cooperation on defence, energy, critical minerals and for the Indo-Pacific region through the Quad.
“On behalf of the people of the United States, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the people of India on your Republic Day,” Mr. Rubio said on Sunday (January 25, 2026).
“The United States and India share a historic bond. From our close cooperation on defence, energy, critical minerals, and emerging technologies to our multi-layered engagement through the Quad, the U.S.-India relationship delivers real results for our two countries and for the Indo-Pacific region,” he said, referring to the grouping of Australia, India, Japan and the U.S.
-PTI
January 26, 2026 07:08
President approves Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awards
As many as 982 police personnel were awarded Gallantry and Service Medals on the occasion of Republic Day.
The Medal for Gallantry was awarded to 125 police personnel, which included 35 personnel from areas affected by Left Wing Extremism, 45 from the Jammu & Kashmir region, and five personnel from the northeast.
Out of 101 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service, 89 have been awarded to the Police Service, five to the Fire Service, three to the Civil Defence and Home Guard Service, and four to the Correctional Service.
Out of 756 Medals for Meritorious Service, 664 have been awarded to the Police Service, 34 to the Fire Service, 33 to the Civil Defence and Home Guard Service, and 25 to the Correctional Service.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have been awarded 13 Gallantry Medals, the highest among all Central Armed Police Forces.
Read the whole story here
January 26, 2026 07:04
Delhi government announces special remission for prisoners on Republic Day 2026
On the occasion of Republic Day, the Government of Delhi has announced the grant of Special Government Remission to eligible convicts.
The remission is being issued under Section 473 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 (corresponding to Section 432 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973) and in line with the Ministry of Home Affairs Notification No. U-11011/2/74-UTL (i) dated March 20, 1974, according to an official release.
Delhi’s Home Minister Ashish Sood stated that the remission shall apply to convicts sentenced by courts of criminal jurisdiction in Delhi and lodged in Central Jails of the NCT of Delhi or outside Delhi, who are undergoing sentence as on 26.01.2026, subject to prescribed conditions.
He further said that the Scale of Remission is for prisoners above 65 years of age and women prisoners awarded as Sentence above 10 years: 90 days’ remission, Sentence above 5 years up to 10 years: 60 days’ remission, Sentence above 1 year up to 5 years: 30 days’ remission, Sentence up to 1 year: 20 days’ remission.
- ANI
January 26, 2026 06:56
Full list of Padma Awards 2026
For the year 2026, the President has approved conferment of 131 Padma Awards including 2 duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one) as per list below. The list comprises five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri Awards. 19 of the awardees are women and the list also includes six persons from the category of Foreigners / NRI / PIO / OCI and 16 Posthumous awardees.
Read the full list of Padma awards
Full list of Padma Awards 2026
Full list of Padma Award winners 2026: Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan
January 26, 2026 06:51
Actor Dharmendra, former Kerala CM Achuthanandan get Padma Vibhushan posthumously
The Centre on Sunday January 25, 2026 announced Padma honours for 2026, with five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. The recepients include eight personalities from Kerala, 11 from West Bengal, and 13 from Tamil Nadu, all poll-bound States.
Former Kerala Chief Minister and Communist stalwart late V.S. Achuthanandan, and late actor Dharmendra have been conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second highest civilian award, posthumously, on the eve of Republic Day.
Padma awards 2026: Actor Dharmendra, former Kerala CM Achuthanandan get Padma Vibhushan posthumously
Actor Dharmendra and former Kerala CM Achuthanandan receive posthumous Padma Vibhushan in 2026; 131 awards announced.
January 26, 2026 06:51
‘Bharat Parv’ to be held at Red Fort from January 26-31, see tableaux, perfomances
The government will host the annual ‘Bharat Parv’, a six-day national cultural and tourism festival, from January 26 at the Red Fort lawns as part of the Republic Day celebrations, officials said on Sunday (January 25, 2026).
It will be inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Tourism Ministry said.
‘Bharat Parv’ is the ministry’s flagship annual event celebrating India’s rich cultural, artistic, culinary and spiritual heritage while promoting the national initiatives ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ and ‘Dekho Apna Desh’.
- PTI
January 26, 2026 06:45
India a messenger of peace in a conflict-ridden world, says President Murmu in Republic Day address
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday January 25, 2026 said India was spreading the message of peace in a world marked by conflict, asserting that global harmony was essential for securing the future of humanity.
Addressing the nation on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, the President touched upon a wide range of themes, including national security, women’s empowerment, poverty alleviation, economic growth, cultural self-confidence, and democratic governance, while situating India’s role in the world within its civilisational ethos.
. Murmu underlined India’s long-standing commitment to peace, rooted in its spiritual and cultural traditions.
India a messenger of peace in a conflict-ridden world, says President Murmu in Republic Day address
President Murmu emphasises India’s role as a peace messenger, highlighting women empowerment, economic growth, and cultural unity in her address.
January 26, 2026 06:42
Security tightened along India-Nepal border after reports of attack on Republic Day
Security has been tightened along the India-Nepal border following specific intelligence received by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) regarding possible activities by ‘anti-national elements’ on Republic Day.
Commandant Ganga Singh Udawat of the 42nd Battalion of the SSB on Sunday told PTI that specific information had been received that ‘anti-national elements’ might carry out untoward activities on January 26.
In view of this, SSB personnel are maintaining round-the-clock vigilance on roads, forests, footpaths, and waterways along the border, the commandant said, adding that patrolling has been increased across border areas.
The SSB’s flood unit is patrolling the rivers day and night. Dog squads, face detection devices, watchtowers, and the entire security apparatus are on high alert in the border areas.
- PTI
January 26, 2026 06:39
Monks from 40 countries to be ‘honoured guests’ at Republic Day parade
“A large group of monks from 40 countries who attended the two-day Global Buddhist Summit in Delhi will be among the ‘honoured guests’ at the Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path,” the Culture Ministry said on Sunday (January 25, 2026).
To highlight the relevance of the timeless Buddhist wisdom of social harmony, peace, compassion and mutual coexistence, a large group of “monks and nuns representing 40 countries”, who attended the summit, “will be honoured guests at this year’s Republic Day Parade,” it said.
- PTI
January 26, 2026 06:35
33 police personnel, including five women, to receive gallantry, service medals today
Thirty-three Delhi Police personnel, including five women, will be honoured with gallantry and service medals on Republic Day in recognition of bravery, distinguished service and meritorious work, a senior officer said on Sunday.
The honours include 14 Medals for Gallantry, two President’s Medals for Distinguished Service, and 17 Medals for Meritorious Service, the officer said. Among the gallantry awardees is Additional Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Singh Kushwah, who, along with Sub-Inspector (SI) Rajeev Kumar and SI Shibu, confronted a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist near Mayur Vihar in January 2024.
33 police personnel, including five women, to receive gallantry, service medals today
Thirty-three Delhi Police personnel, including five women, will receive gallantry and service medals for exemplary bravery and distinguished service.
January 26, 2026 06:29
Home Ministry to display tableau on three new criminal laws at Republic Day parade
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will present a tableau highlighting the nationwide implementation of the three new criminal laws — the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam — on Republic Day.
The laws came into force on July 1, 2024.
The tableau will be showcased on Kartavya Path during the 77th Republic Day Parade, highlighting the nationwide operationalisation of the new laws and India’s transition to a modern, technology-driven, time-bound, and citizen-centric justice system, the MHA said.
Home Ministry to display tableau on three new criminal laws at Republic Day parade
Home Ministry’s tableau at Republic Day Parade showcases three new criminal laws and India’s modern justice system advancements.
January 26, 2026 06:24
Full dress rehearsal of cultural performances, flypasts for Republic Day held at Kartavya Path
Nearly 2,500 artistes, set to perform at the Kartavya Path during the 77th Republic Day parade, took part in a full dress rehearsal of their respective segments on Saturday (January 24, 2026), officials said.
A rehearsal for the flypast event, a key attraction of the celebrations on January 26, was also held, they said.
A total of 29 aircraft — 16 fighter jets, including Rafale, Su-30 MKI, and Jaguar; four transport aircrafs, including the C-295, and nine helicopters — will be part of the two-phase flypast at the Republic Day parade, with a total of eight formations, a senior Indian Air Force official had said earlier.
Full dress rehearsal of cultural performances, flypasts for Republic Day held at Kartavya Path
Full dress rehearsal for Republic Day parade showcases 2,500 artistes and a spectacular flypast at New Delhi’s Kartavya Path.
