Republic Day 2026 President Droupadi Murmu Speech Highlights: The 77th Republic Day celebrations will formally begin on Saturday evening with President Droupadi Murmu addressing the nation at 7 pm. The customary address, delivered on the eve of Republic Day, will be broadcast via Akashvani and Doordarshan, first in Hindi, followed by English and regional-language versions to reach a wider audience.
Republic Day celebrations will continue on January 26 with the annual parade at Kartavya Path, which will combine cultural pageantry with a display of military strength. This year’s parade will feature 30 tableaux from states, Union Territories and central ministries. The event will also see President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen attending as chief guests.
Kartavya Path parade preparations
In a notable first, Indian Army contingents will march in a combat-ready battle formation, underlining operational preparedness. The Army’s tableau will showcase an Integrated Operations Centre along with advanced, technology-driven defence systems. More than 6,000 participants, supported by military and pipe bands, will take part in the parade.
The Republic Day Parade will mark 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram and will feature a total of 30 tableaux, 17 from States and Union Territories and 13 from Ministries, Departments and Services.
The tableaux will present a visual narrative of India’s freedom movement, cultural diversity and progress towards self-reliance across sectors. The tableaux will present a blend of India’s freedom movement legacy, cultural diversity and contemporary achievements, with themes ranging from heritage crafts and folk traditions to self-reliance, innovation, defence preparedness and nation-building initiatives.
More about the R-Day parade
The parade will showcase a phased battle array display by the Indian Army, mechanised columns, marching contingents, military bands and a Tri-services tableau titled ‘Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness’, highlighting India’s evolving military doctrine, indigenous defence capabilities and integrated operational strength. A veterans’ tableau by the Indian Air Force will also form part of the display, paying tribute to the contribution of ex-servicemen.
The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will attend as the Chief Guests for the Republic Day Parade 2026. As per tradition, the National Flag will be unfurled, followed by the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute using indigenous 105-mm Light Field Guns.
President Murmu says 'Our Constitution define our Republic'
In her address, the President said the Constitution was the foundational document of the largest republic in world history.
"The ideals of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity enshrined in our Constitution define our Republic. The framers of the Constitution provided a strong bedrock for the spirit of nationalism and the unity of the country through constitutional provisions," Murmu said.
'India a messenger of peace in conflict-ridden world'
President Murmu outlined India's position as a "messenger" of peace while reinforcing ancient civilisational commitment to universal harmony.
"In our tradition, we have been offering prayers for peace to prevail in the entire universe. The future of humanity can remain secure only if there is peace in the whole world.
"In an atmosphere marked by conflicts in many parts of the world, India is spreading the message of peace," she said.
During her speech, the President also underscored a firm commitment to national security by highlighting the recent success of Operation Sindoor, a precision strike that dismantled terror infrastructure across the border.
"Last year, our country launched precision strikes against terror infrastructure...terror centres were destroyed, and many terrorists met their end," she said, highlighting country's "self-reliance" in the field of defence that powered the historic success of Operation Sindoor.
- via PTI
Murmu highlights tech-driven governance, mass public participation
President Murmu talked about the importance of public participation and technology-led governance in her address. She said these have been central to transforming key national initiatives into mass movements over the past decade. In her address, she said digital platforms have enabled the direct delivery of services to beneficiaries, significantly improving ease of living and transparency.
Highlighting India’s digital payments ecosystem, the President noted that the country now accounts for more than half of global digital transactions, demonstrating how widespread public adoption can accelerate transformative change. Emphasising that the vision of a Viksit Bharat is a shared national responsibility, Murmu urged citizens to actively contribute to achieving other development goals through similar collective participation.
President Murmu Speech Live: Prez calls for innovation, organic farming and self-reliance
President Droupadi Murmu praised the contribution of non-resident Indians, saying the Indian diaspora plays a vital role in enhancing the country’s global influence while staying closely connected to its cultural roots. In her address on the eve of Republic Day, she also highlighted organic farming, innovation and startups, and sustainable development as central to India’s future growth, underscoring the importance of collective effort in building a self-reliant and forward-looking nation.
'From farms to space, Indian women leading change', says President Murmu
“Our women are breaking long-held stereotypes and moving confidently ahead,” President Droupadi Murmu said. She noted that women are actively contributing to India’s overall development, with more than 10 crore women linked to self-help groups reshaping grassroots growth. From agriculture to space and from entrepreneurship to the armed forces, she said, women are leaving their mark across every sector.
Sardar Patel’s legacy strengthens national unity: Murmu
Continuing her address to the nation, President Droupadi Murmu paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, describing him as the “Lauh Purush” who unified India. She recalled that the country marked Patel’s 150th birth anniversary on October 31 last year with widespread enthusiasm and noted that commemorative events linked to the milestone are still being held. These celebrations, she said, reinforce the spirit of national unity and pride. The President added that India’s ancestors wove a shared cultural fabric that binds the nation from north to south and east to west, and emphasised that every effort to nurture this sense of oneness deserves appreciation.
From Independence to Republic: Murmu reflects on India’s path
President Droupadi Murmu said India’s freedom movement reshaped the nation’s destiny on August 15, 1947, when the country attained Independence and set out on its own path. Recalling January 26, 1950, she noted that the coming into force of the Constitution marked India’s emergence as a democratic republic, ending the dominion system in Bharat, which she described as the birthplace of democracy. The President emphasised that the Constitution, the cornerstone of the world’s largest republic, upholds the ideals of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, and serves as a strong foundation for nationalism and national unity.
President Murmu greets citizens on eve of Republic Day
President Murmu extended her greetings to citizens on the eve of the 77th Republic Day and praised the armed forces for their preparedness in safeguarding the nation and its people.
“We, the people of India, both at home and abroad, are preparing to celebrate Republic Day with great enthusiasm. This auspicious occasion gives us the opportunity to reflect on our nation’s journey — its past, its present and the path ahead. The strength of our freedom movement transformed the destiny of the country on August 15, 1947, when India attained independence,” she said.