India’s military might and rich cultural diversity were in full display during the dazzling 68th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi which had Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the Chief Guest. A major highlight of the parade was 149-member marching contingent from UAE comprising personnel from Presidential Guards, the Air Force, the Navy and Army. They were led by a band comprising 35 musicians from that country. The spectacular indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has made its debut at the Republic Day parade. People braved chilly weather and a light rain to witness the Republic Day celebrations at the majestic Rajpath, India’s ceremonial boulevard, amid unprecedented security cover.

Track live updates here. 

Watch Republic Day Parade live

12:05 pm: A major highlight of the parade was the spectacular indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, which has made its debut at the event. Watch video

Read Also: Republic Day parade: Dhanush artillery gun makes debut at parade

11:51 am: Check out Vikas Swarup’s tweet

11:49 am: The spectacular indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has made its debut at the Republic Day parade. Three of these fighter jets flew at a height of 300 metres from the ground at a speed of 780 km per hour in ‘VIC’ formation. The fighter jet was developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency, and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Tejas, as a fourth generation aircraft. It can fly at 1,350 km per hour and is comparable to the world’s best fighters, including French Mirage 2000, American F-16 and Swedish Gripen. The fighter jet was inducted into 45th Squadron of the Indian Air Force in July 2016 with two aircraft.

Read Also: 68th Republic Day Parade: The much-feared NSG commandos make their debut at the march past

11:46 am: Goods and Services Tax (GST), India’s single biggest tax reform initiative undertaken since independence, was part of the 23 tableaux which were showcased on 68th Republic Day Parade on Rajpath. Apart from this “Transforming India through Skill Development”, “Green India – Clean India”, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Khadi India were also showcased among the tableaux from seventeen states and six ministries and departments in the Republic Day Parade this year.

11:29 am: Tejas aircraft was on display at Republic Day Parade.

Read Also: 68th Republic Day: These brave acts by IAF gallantry award winners will make you feel proud and patriotic!

11:22 am: The largest pyramid ever made by any team on the Rajpath. 15 motorcycles carrying 60 personnel. A spectacular motorcycle display team of Corps of Military Police.

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11:19 am: 165 students of South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur, performed the ‘Saila’ dance.

Read Also: Republic Day 2017 Images: Wish your friends, family and closed ones

11:15 am: BSF contingents at Rajpath. Watch Video

11:10 am: 25 children including 12 girls and 13 boys; National Bravery Awards winners marches in Republic Day parade.

11:09 am: NSG, the elite counter-terrorism force, made its debut at the Republic Day parade here. A contingent of 60 commandos in their striking black overalls and armed to the teeth, so to speak, marched on the Rajpath. Some of the commandos were riding on seven vehicles with hydraulic ladders and among them was the anti-hijacking van ‘Sherpa’, which is a bullet proof armoured vehicle. It can also be driven under water and on steep inclines. Watch video

Read Also: President Pranab Mukherjee addresses nation on 68th Republic Day eve; here are the five key takeaways

11:04 am: Goa tableau

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11:03 am: Delhi tableau

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11:02 am: Assam tableau

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11:00 am: Jammu and Kashmir tableau

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Read Also: Republic Day parade: Spectacular Indian Navy display showcases submarines, INS Chennai

10:49 am: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at Republic Day Parade

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10:48 am: The Maharashtra tableau

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10:47 am: The Odisha tableau

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10:42 am: NSG commandos at the Republic Day parade

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10:38 am: The captivating tune of ‘Jai Bharati’ played by the Brass Band of the Indian Navy consisting led by Ramesh Chand Katoch.

10:36 AM: Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said the intrinsic strength of Indian Republic lies in our constitutional values and asked the people to “fight forces which seek to undermine them”.

10:35 am: Indian Navy Tableau

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10:33 am: The Indian Air Force tableau
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10:29 AM: Congress President Sonia Gandhi at Republic Day parade at Rajpath

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10:27 AM: Ex servicemen tableau at Republic Day parade

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10:25 AM: UAE contingent at Republic Day parade

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10:23 am: PM Modi with H.H.General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

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10:22 am: Impressive military band of the UAE comprising of 35 musicians playing a delightful marching tune Kaptien.

10:21 am: Akash Weapon System of 27 Air Defence (Missile) Regiment was led by Captain Anendra Bansal &Lieutenant Garima

10:17 AM: Republic day Parade is underway.

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10:12 am: Mechanised columns. Leading is 58 Armoured Regiment – India’s main battle tank the T-90 Bhishma. The Regiment’s motto Avval 58 Sarvashresth.

10:10 am: Republic Day 2017 Parade is commanded by Lt. Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane,Sena Medal,Vishisht Seva Medal General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area.

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10:08 am: Four Mi-17 V5 helicopters in inverted ‘Y’ formation, to shower flower petals

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10:05 am: National Flag unfurled at Rajpath. 

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10:03 am: Havaldar Hangpan Dada, who made the supreme sacrifice while fighting terrorists in Kupwara, J&K is being awarded Ashok Chakra posthumously. Award is received by his wife Chasen Lowang Dada.

10:01 am: Vice President arrives at Rajpath, greets Prime Minister Narendra Modi
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9:58 am: President Pranab Mukherjee waves to the cheering crowd as he steps out; President and Chief Guest are received by PM Modi.

9:56 am: President Pranab Mukherjee and Chief Guest of Honour in Republic Day Parade Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi H.H.Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al arrive at Rajpath.
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9:53 AM: PM Modi meets Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar

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9:52 AM: In a first, the Republic Day parade will witness the fly-past of three indigenously developed Light Combat Aaircraft Tejas Aircraft flying at a height of 300 m from ground in ‘Vic’ formation and the Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) developed by DRDO.

9:51 AM: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar arrives at Rajpath

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9:49 am: President Pranab Mukherjee leaves for Rajpath

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9:42 am: Watch this video

9:41 am: PM Narendra Modi and the three service chiefs pay tribute at Amar Jawan Jyoti

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9:40 am: There has been light rain in Delhi from last 12 hours and rain is also expected today, accordin g to MeT Department.

9:38 AM: PM Narendra Modi laid wreath on ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’ at India Gate.

9:37 am: Delhi was today wrapped in an unprecedented security cover with thousands of security force personnel keeping a hawk-eye vigil to ward off any terror strike or untoward incident during the 68th Republic Day celebrations.

9:34 am: Crowd gathers at Rajpath

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9:27 am: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari unfurls tricolour at his residence

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9:25 AM: BJP President Amit Shah unfurls the tricolour at party headquarters

9:24 AM: 91 year old Dr.Bhakti Yadav, said to be the first female MBBS doctor from Indore awarded the Padma Shri.

9:23 AM: This year’s parade will also see some of the firsts to its credit. For the first time, a contingent of the National Security Guard (NSG), popularly known as the Black Cat Commandos, will march-past the Rajpath.

9:22 am: Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Gujarat, Lakshdwaeep, Karanataka, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, West Bengal, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, these states will showcase their tradition and culture through their respective tableau.

9:20 am: The Department of Central Board of Excise and Customs under the Ministry of Finance, along with the Ministry of Skill Development, will also see their tableau at the Republic Day Parade.

Read Also: Google honours India’s 68th Republic day with a colourful doodle

9:18 am: Indian diaspora today celebrated country’s 68th Republic Day at an event organised in Singapore by India’s High Commissioner Jawed Ashraf.

9:16 am: President Pranab Mukherjee will award 56 medals, including five gallantry medals, to the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in recognition of their supreme sacrifice, distinguished and meritorious service on the 68th Republic Day.

9:14 am: Watch Republic Day Parade Live

9:05 am: Watch UP CM Akhilesh Yadav’s message on Republic Day

8:46 am: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s tweet

8:45 am: FM Arun Jaitley’s tweet

8:43 am: Check out M Venkaiah Naidu’s tweet

8:42 am: Watch this video

Read Also: Republic Day 2017: Its Meaning, Importance & History

8:37 am: Check out External Affairs Minister

8:36 am: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan greets the nation on Republic Day

8:35 am: The R-Day parade will also witness Mechanised Infantry Regiment, Bihar Regiment, Gorkha Training Centre and combined band of Punjab Regimental Centre, Sikh Regimental Centre, Madras Engineering Group, Infantry, Battalion (Territorial Army) Sikh Light Infantry. The parade will also see tableau from ex-servicemen followed by Naval Marching Contingent and a naval tableau.

8:34 am: An Air force Marching Contingent followed by an air force tableau will also showcase India’s air prowess. The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) will showcase its Advanced Towed Artificial Gun System (ATAGS) and medium power radar Arudhra. The Paramilitary forces contingent will be led by BSF’s Camel Band followed by marching contingents of Indian Coast Guard, CISF, Delhi Police, elite NSG and the NCC.

8:33 am: PM Modi greets the nation on Republic Day

8:31 am: Check out Arvind Kejriwal’s tweet

8:27 am: The army will also showcase its Tank T-90 and Infantry Combat Vehicle and Bramhos Missile, one of its treasured armour, its Weapon Locating Radar Swathi, Transportable Satellite Terminal and Akash Weapon System. Another attraction will be the Dhanush Gun system. Advanced Light Helicopters Rudra will then make a fly-past.

Read Also: Republic Day 2017: Why do we celebrate Republic Day in India?

8:25 am: Major attraction of the parade would be marching of India’s only mounted Calvary with its majestic horses. The parade will also witness the heroic motor bike stunts by defence personnel. One of the major highlights parade will be the fly past by Mi-35 helicopters, indigenous combat light aircraft Tejas, Jaguars and Sukohis. However, these two events will be carried out at the fag end of the parade.

8:20 am: This will be followed by Parade Commander Lt Gen Manoj Naravane and his second-in-command, Maj Gen Rajesh Sahai paying respects to the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces — the President of India. A contingent of UAE soldiers, along with its music band will lead the parade.