Republic Day 2026: Vande Mataram Theme, EU Chiefs, and Enhanced Military Displays

• Republic Day 2026 celebrations will be inclusive, narrative-driven, and digitally enabled, focusing on 150 years of Vande Mataram as the central theme.
• The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will be the chief guests.
• The parade will feature the Indian Army’s phased Battle Array with live commentary, aerial displays, and animal contingents including Zanskar ponies and Bactrian camels.
• A grand flypast will showcase frontline aircraft like Rafale, Su-30, MiG-29, Apache, LCH, ALH, Mi-17, P-8I, C-130, and C-295.
• Thirty tableaux (17 from States/UTs, 13 from ministries) will display themes of Swatantrata ka Mantra and Samriddhi ka Mantra, alongside a mega cultural performance by 2,500 artists.

Why It Matters: Republic Day 2026 will feature a Vande Mataram theme, EU chief guests, and a technologically advanced parade.