Every year on Republic Day, while the tanks and floats take over Kartavya Path, there is one personal detail everyone waits for: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s turban. For the 77th Republic Day today, the PM didn’t disappoint. He stepped out at the National War Memorial in a look that was both vibrant and deeply symbolic of India’s colourful heritage.
The 2026 Narendra Modi turban look on Republic day
This morning, PM Modi arrived wearing a Rajasthani-style ‘Safa’ that immediately grabbed attention. The turban featured a rich red base with bright mustard-yellow patterns and subtle touches of green. It was tied in his signature high style, finished with a traditional fan-like crest at the top.
In a slight departure from the saffron or white tones he often picks, he paired this fiery turban with a dark navy blue kurta and a light sky-blue Nehru jacket. He kept the rest of the look classic with white churidar trousers and traditional black formal shoes. It was a perfect blend of formal statesmanship and the festive “Leheria” (wave) spirit of Western India.
A Look Back: 11 Iconic Turbans Narendra Modi wore
PM Modi’s choice of a “pagdi” is never random; it’s a quiet tribute to the different states of India. Here is how his Republic Day style has traveled across the country since 2015:
- 2025: A saffron turban with red stripes, paired with a brown bandhgala coat to match the “Golden India” theme.
- 2024: A multi-colored Bandhani turban (red, yellow, pink, and blue) representing the tie-dye crafts of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
- 2023: A bright Leheria Pheta with flowing patterns that reflected both Rajasthani and Maharashtrian cultures.
- 2022: The only year he skipped the turban! He wore a traditional Uttarakhand cap featuring the Brahma Kamal (the state flower).
- 2021: A bright red Halari Pagdi with yellow dots, a special gift from the royal family of Jamnagar.
- 2020: A bold saffron bandhej turban with a long trail, emphasizing traditional Indian textiles.
- 2019: Saffron once again took center stage, accented with warm shades of yellow and red.
- 2018: A colorful Bandhani turban featuring a mix of green, yellow, saffron, and blue.
- 2017: A striking pink turban with silver lines that stood out against the gray winter morning in Delhi.
- 2016: A cheerful yellow turban with pink-red stripes, paired with a cream-colored suit.
- 2015: His first Republic Day featured a peacock-style multi-colored Bandhani turban, the look that started it all.
In India, the turban is a mark of honor and responsibility. By rotating through the traditional headgear of different regions, the Prime Minister uses the massive global platform of the Republic Day parade to celebrate the “Unity in Diversity” that defines India.
With EU President Ursula von der Leyen and President Antonio Costa looking on as guests of honor today, the PM’s outfit wasn’t just a personal choice, it was a visual greeting from India to the world.
