R-Day 2026 Parade to Celebrate 150 Years of Vande Mataram; European Dignitaries to Attend

• The Republic Day 2026 parade at Kartavya Path will be themed around the 150th anniversary of the national song 'Vande Mataram'.
• European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be chief guests.
• The parade will feature visual tributes, pan-India band performances, and tableaux based on 'Vande Mataram' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.
• Military capabilities will be showcased with T-90 tanks, BrahMos missiles, Rafale jets, and Apache helicopters.
• Around 10,000 special guests, including para-athletes, farmers, transgender persons, and ISRO/DRDO scientists, are invited.

Why It Matters: Republic Day 2026 will honor 'Vande Mataram's' 150th year with European dignitaries and diverse participation.