Indian Republic Day 2023: History, major attractions, arrangement, special guest, ticket, and more
Since 1950, India has celebrated January 26 as its Republic Day. On January 26, 2023, India celebrates her 74th Republic Day. Republic Day, also known as Gantantra Diwas, is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country in schools, colleges, and other public and private institutions to honour the Constitution that went into effect on January 26, 1950.
On January 26, New Delhi, the capital of the country, hosts the largest Gantantra Diwas event along the Rajpath or Kartavya Path. The enormous Republic Day parade, which is held on this day every year, features the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. Anyone can attend the ceremony in person if they are in Delhi or watch it live on television.
Here, we share all the details on Indian Republic Day 2023 you are looking for.
What is India’s Republic Day Parade?
The Republic Day Parade is a parade staged exclusively as part of India’s Republic Day celebrations. A parade is typically a military or public procession held to honour a significant day or occasion. We can say that they are gathering as a group for a formal ceremony or inspection. When marching or travelling across a space or direction, it is held in a meaningful way to display something.
When a group of people performs a theme-based, distinctive representation, it is referred to as a parade, march, or marchpast. Typically, it takes place alongside a street while participants dress in a particular costume and are joined by marching bands or floats (a small vehicle or cart especially powered by electricity). Although a parade can be held for a variety of reasons, it is typically held to celebrate an occasion or festival. Occasionally, parades are performed at protest gatherings.
At the Rajpath and India Gate, a fantastic arrangement has been made to display the Republic Day Parade of India. The National Anthem of India (Jana Gana Mana) is played after the President of India raises the National Flag of India. The 21-gun salute is used to give a national salute. The Indian President then distributes honours (such as the Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra, etc.) to those deserving of them.
The President will then present people (from the armed services and citizens) with bravery awards and medals in recognition of their extraordinary bravery and various acts of bravery in trying circumstances, respectively. Children who have received the National Bravery Award also participate in the parade by riding on elephants or other vehicles that have been painted with vibrant colours as they pass by the onlookers.
History
Indian Republic Day is a national holiday in India, celebrated annually on January 26th. The holiday celebrates the adoption of the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950, which replaced the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India and made India a republic. The Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on January 26, 1950, with a majority of 184 votes in favor and none against it.
The Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950, making India a republic. The main Republic Day celebration is held in the national capital, New Delhi, at the Rajpath (now Kartavya Path) before the President of India. A grand parade is held which is attended by dignitaries from all over the world, along with the general public.
Significance of 26 January Parade
On January 26th, a large republic day parade is held to honour this momentous anniversary. It is held specifically in front of the Amar Jawan Jyoti in the nation’s capital, New Delhi, to remember and pay tribute to the Indian soldiers for their sacrifices made during the fight for independence and in wars to defend the country.
It begins at the Raisina Rashtrapati Bhavan and travels down Rajpath until coming to an end past India Gate. This parade is particularly important since it displays the might of the Indian armed forces (by displaying tanks, missiles, radars, etc.), the customs and cultures of the various Indian states, and the inventiveness of schoolchildren.
The chief guest (from another nation) is an invited guest, and the president of India is made the parade’s honoree. The parade officially kicks off with a floral tribute at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, flag-raising, a 21-gun salute, and the playing of the national anthem. The salute of this opulent parade is given to the President of India, who also serves as the Indian Armed Forces’ Commander-in-Chief. Young Indians are inspired by it and are pleased to be citizens, which gives them courage.
Major Attractions:
For the first time since Independence, the BSF women’s unit will be included in the parade. The women’s contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF) will be presented in the Republic Day Parade in 2023 for the first time since Independence, riding camels.
Along with their male counterparts, Mahila Praharis, as the female members of the paramilitary group are known, will be seen riding camels. Since 1950, a comparable Army squad has taken part in the parade, but in 1976, the BSF’s camel contingent took its place.
Also, a 120-member contingent of the Egyptian Armed Forces will participate in the parade while the Chief Guest for this year will be Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
Massive flypast:
This year’s flypast features nine Rafale combat jets. There are 50 aircraft total, including one vintage Dakota, eight transport aircraft, and 18 helicopters. The first and likely final flight across Kartavya Path will be made by an IL-38 maritime patrol aircraft that has served the Navy for 42 years, according to Wg. Cdr. Nandi.
The 144 troops and four officers who make up the IAF marching contingent. Sqn. Ldr. Sindhu Reddy will serve as its commander. The IAF has received the award for the best marching contingent in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2020. According to organisers, the Air Force band, which includes three Drum Majors and 72 musicians, will perform the marching music for the delegation.
The 2023 Republic Day other attractions:
- The Republic Day procession will be delayed by 30 minutes. It will start on January 26 at 10:30 a.m. (IST).
- The Republic Day parade in 2023 will have the theme “India@75” to mark 75 years of India’s independence.
- There will be 25 tableaus at the parade that will each represent a different state in India.
- The PT-76 tank, two Taran Shakti electronic warfare systems, Dhanush howitzers, and electronic warfare system will all be on show for the Indian Army.
- The Rajput Regiment and the Assam Regiment are two of the six marching contingents and 17 military bands that the Indian Army will present at the Republic Day parade.
- Two motorcycle formations will also be present, one of which has a women’s squad.
- The Indian Air Force will take part in the flypast with 75 aircraft.
- Beat the Retreat in New Delhi will feature a laser projection mapping. There will also be a drone display.
- This year, instead of January 24, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary falls on January 23. As a result, celebrations for Republic Day started on January 23.
- The previously known as Rajpath was renamed Kartavya Path after the opening of the renovated Central Vista Avenue in September 2022, and the Republic Day 2023 parade would be the first after its refurbishment.
Arrangements:
This year, the Republic Day (RD) parade’s seating capacity was decreased from over one lakh to roughly 45,000 as a result of rearranging the seating arrangement, drastically reducing the number of invitations extended to VIPs and officials, and streamlining the entire procedure online.
First Row for Republic Day Parade in 2023
This year’s Republic Day has “Participation of the Common People” as its theme. Shramjeevis (workers who helped build the Central Vista), their families, Kartavya Path upkeep staff, and other locals including rickshaw pullers, owners of modest food stores, and vegetable vendors will be seated in the first row of the main dais during the parade. These exceptional invitees will participate in the Republic Day 2023 Parade, which will honour the real essence of a Republic nation.
Timings and Places
Like every year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the Amar Jawan Jyoti before the Republic Day Parade 2023 live telecast kicks off at 9:30 AM from Kartavya Path (Rajpath). The national anthem will be played before President Droupadi Murmu hoists the flag.
The Republic Day parade will begin at 10: 30a.m. which is half an hour late from the usual every year schedule.
On January 26, a large parade that marches down Rajpath in New Delhi serves as the centrepiece of Republic Day celebrations in India. The parade moves from Rashtrapati Bhawan down Rajpath to India Gate, then proceeds to Red Fort from there. The president of India raises the national flag to signal the start of the event, which has a path of more than five kilometres.
What will be the theme of the 2023 Republic Day?
The government has suggested three specific themes for the tableaux of the 2023 Republic Day Parade: India@75, the International Year of Millets, and Nari Shakti, according to an official source.
According to sources, a number of state governments, federal ministries, and agencies have been invited to participate in the Republic Day Parade on January 26 by creating a tableau based on one of these three themes, or a combination of them.
The government has suggested that India@75 tableaux highlight India’s freedom struggle, its accomplishments, its deeds, and its commitment throughout the previous seven decades. This is in honour of India marking 75 years since its independence.
The idea for a millets day came up in 2021 when India requested the UN to designate 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYOM). The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2023 to be the International Year of Millets after 72 nations backed India’s request.
Who is the Chief Guest for India Republic Day in 2023?
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the president of Egypt, will attend the celebrations on India Republic Day in 2023 as the chief guest. The Arab Republic of Egypt will take part in India Republic Day festivities for the first time this year. A distinguished ambassador is invited each year to take part in the lavish India Republic Day event.
Tickets Sales for the Republic Day Parade
With a ticket, you may watch the Republic Day events live at Rajpath. The following counters, located in the cities of Delhi listed below, are where tickets can be purchased.
- North Block Roundabout
- Sena Bhawan (Gate No. 2)
- Pragati Maidan (Gate No. 1)
- Jantar Mantar (Main Gate)
- Shastri Bhawan (Near Gate No. 3)
- Jamnagar House (Opposite India Gate)
- Red Fort (inside August 15 Park and opposite Jain Temple)
- Parliament House (Reception office) – special counter for Hon’ble MPs
To purchase tickets for this major event, you must present valid ID proof at the counter, such as an Aadhar Card, Voter ID, or any official ID.
Ticket Price:
A reserved seat costs Rs.500 per person, while unreserved seats cost Rs.100 and Rs.20. These ticket counters will remain open from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aside from these, from January 23 to 25, a special ticket counter at Sena Bhawan will be open until 7 p.m.
Online purchases of Republic Day e-tickets will come with a QR code that can be scanned at metro stations to obtain a token for a free ride to stations close to the event. Officials from the defence ministry shared this information on Wednesday during a presentation on the activities planned for January 23–31 as part of the Republic Day celebrations
Free Ride on Delhi Metro:
This year, attendees who have received invitations to the celebrations and those who have digital tickets for seats on-site will be eligible for “free metro travel.” On January 26, however, only Udyog Bhawan and Central Secretariat in the vicinity of Raisina Hill will be free. While Central Secretariat Station is a transfer station for the Yellow and Violet lines, Udyog Bhawan Station is on the Yellow Line.
Guests and ticket holders may utilise the metro for free to go to their designated enclosures by getting out at the Udyog Bhawan and Central Secretariat stations as long as they have a valid invitation, admission, or ticket in addition to a government-issued photo ID.