Republic Day (India)
Next: January 26, 2027
A constitution, a parade, a nation.
The story
Where it comes from
India became independent on 15 August 1947, but for more than two years it was still governed under the Government of India Act 1935. A Constituent Assembly debated a new constitution, adopted it on 26 November 1949, and brought it into force on 26 January 1950, when Rajendra Prasad became India's first President. The date was chosen to echo 26 January 1930, when the Indian National Congress proclaimed Purna Swaraj, complete independence. Republic Day celebrates the Constitution and the republic it created.
How it's celebrated
On the eve of the day the President addresses the nation. In the morning the President unfurls the national flag in New Delhi, while governors raise it in every state. The great parade runs along Kartavya Path towards India Gate, with marching contingents, colourful tableaux from the states and an Air Force flypast, watched by a foreign leader invited as chief guest. Across the country, families watch on television and towns hold their own flag-raisings.
Did you know
- The celebrations close on the evening of 29 January with Beating Retreat at Vijay Chowk, where the bands of the army, navy and air force play.
- The Padma awards, among India's highest civilian honours, were instituted in 1954, and each year's names are announced on the eve of Republic Day.
- The avenue where the first parade was held was called Rajpath; it was renamed Kartavya Path, 'the path of duty', in 2022.
The greeting
Happy Republic Day · गणतंत्र दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ
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