New Delhi witnessed the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day celebrations on Friday, January 23, 2026. Despite continuous rainfall since morning, soldiers from the three armed forces marched in perfect synchrony along the Kartavya Path, demonstrating their dedication and enthusiasm.
This year, the Bhairav Battalion of the Indian Army participated in the full dress rehearsal for the first time. The upcoming Republic Day parade on January 26 will feature several new attractions including the Shakti Baan, Divyastr Battery, the Bhairav Battalion, Universal Rocket Launching System, robotic dogs, the Eagle system, Bactrian camels, and the Zanskar pony.
The full dress rehearsal, held annually on January 23, prepares participants for the grand event on January 26. This year, performers and military personnel conducted the rehearsal with great zeal and energy, undeterred by the rain.
A total of 30 tableaux will be presented during the 77th Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path. Of these, 17 represent various states and union territories, while 13 are from different ministries, departments, and services. The central themes of the tableaux are “Mantra of Freedom: Vande Mataram” and “Mantra of Prosperity: Atmanirbhar Bharat.” The Military Works Department will display a tri-service tableau showcasing Operation Sindoor, symbolizing victory through unity.
The Department of School Education and Literacy will present a tableau based on the National Education Policy 2020, highlighting India’s progress in school education. Collectively, the tableaux will depict India’s independence, cultural pride, innovation, self-reliance, and developmental vision in an inspiring manner for the nation and the world.
The Air Force’s flypast is set to be a special highlight this year. Fighter jets will create the ‘Sindoor’ formation in the sky, commemorating Operation Sindoor. The formation will include two Rafale jets, two MiG-29s, two Sukhoi-30s, and one Jaguar aircraft flying over Kartavya Path. Under Operation Sindoor, Indian forces destroyed nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will showcase several indigenous defence systems during the Republic Day parade and India Festival 2026. Among the key displays will be the long-range anti-ship hypersonic missile. DRDO’s special tableau will focus on naval technologies developed for combat submarines, highlighting India’s self-reliant defence capabilities.
The long-range anti-ship hypersonic missile launcher, developed to meet the Indian Navy’s coastal battery requirements, reflects the country’s cutting-edge defence technology advancements.
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