Revamping Republic Day: VIP Culture to be Replaced with Indian River Names
Changes Announced for Republic Day Celebrations
Ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh announced on Friday that the annual parade will eliminate VIP culture. Instead, the designated locations during the parade will be named after Indian rivers. Similarly, the venues for the Beating Retreat ceremony will be named after musical instruments. Singh emphasized that this year, in an effort to abolish VIP culture, all locations for the Republic Day parade will honor Indian rivers, while the Beating Retreat sites will reflect the names of various instruments.
Commitment to Cleanliness
In addition, Singh highlighted the commitment to cleanliness, stating that a cleanliness drive will take place following the events on January 26 and 30. He mentioned, "NCC cadets and volunteers from My India will remove waste from the duty path and surrounding areas." India is set to celebrate its 77th Republic Day on January 26, 2026, with a grand parade, cultural performances, and a showcase of the nation's defense capabilities. Thousands of spectators are expected to attend both in person and through live broadcasts.
Preparations Underway for National Celebrations
As preparations for the national celebrations are in full swing, rehearsals for the parade on the duty path are ongoing. Meanwhile, ticket sales for the Republic Day parade and the full dress rehearsal for the Beating Retreat ceremony commenced on January 5. Tickets for the Republic Day parade are priced at ₹20 and ₹100, while tickets for the full dress rehearsal of the Beating Retreat are available for ₹20, and the Beating Retreat ceremony tickets are priced at ₹100.
European Leaders to Attend Republic Day
European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be visiting India from January 25 to 27 and will serve as chief guests for Republic Day. During their visit, both leaders will co-chair the 16th India-European Union Summit on January 27. They are also scheduled to meet with President Droupadi Murmu and engage in delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.