India celebrates its 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026 with a historic theme: the 150th anniversary of the national song, Vande Mataram. The parade at Kartavya Path will feature European Union leaders as chief guests and showcase the Indian Army's new ‘Battle Array’ formation.

‘Republic Day 2026’: 7 things that make this year’s parade unique

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said it was time to reassess Vande Mataram objectively, emphasising that neither the full song nor the book Anand Math was “anti-Islam.” Instead, he noted that they expressed public sentiment against the Nawab of Bengal and British colonial rule.

'How dare you?' Defence Minister Rajnath Singh erupts at opposition MPs in Lok Sabha amid 'Vande Mataram' row

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‘Republic Day 2026’: 7 things that make this year’s parade unique

'How dare you?' Rajnath Singh erupts at opposition MPs in Lok Sabha