All About 76th REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA, 2025

 

1. The Republic Day is celebrated on January 26^th to commemorate the day when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950. With this India declared itself as a Sovereign, Democratic and Republic state.
    
   1. Republic means a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch. Examples of republics include India, USA, France, Germany, South Korea etc
      
      
      

Historical Background
 

1. The Constituent Assembly of India passed and adopted the Constitution on the 26^th of November 1949. The process was spearheaded by the Drafting Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
    
   • The process of making constitution took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days.
      
   • While India obtained independence on August 15, 1947, it was not until three years later, on January 26, 1950, that the country formally approved its Constitution and became a republic.
     
      
2. Later, on 26^th January 1950 the Constitution of India came into effect, replacing the Government of India Act, 1935, thus turning the nation from a dominion into a republic, following its independence from the British Raj in 1947.
   
    
   • A few provisions of the Constitution such as citizenship, elections and provisional Parliament came into force on 26^th November 1949.  However, the majority of the constitution came into effect on 26^th January 1950 with Rajendra Prasad becoming the first President of India.
      

Why were 26^th January chosen to be India’s Republic Day?


 

1. On December 31, 1929, on the banks of the river Ravi, during the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress, Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the tricolour and demanded “Poorna Swaraj” or complete self-rule. The date set for independence was January 26, 1930, which was celebrated as Poorna Swaraj day for the next 17 years.
    

• In other words, this date was chosen because the Indian National Congress had proclaimed Purna Swaraj (complete independence) on that date in 1930.
   

What are events in the Republic Day Celebrations?
 

1. Flag hoisting: The President of India hoists the national flag, followed by a 21-gun salute by the Indian Army Regiment of Artillery.
    
2. Chief Guest tradition: A foreign dignitary is invited as the Chief Guest each year, symbolizing India's diplomatic ties.
    
3. Republic Day Parade: The grand parade follows a historic route, starting at Rashtrapati Bhavan, proceeding along Kartavya Path, passing India Gate, and concluding at the Red Fort. It includes:
   1. Military might: Display of advanced weapons, tanks, and aircraft.
   2. Tableaux: Tableaux from various states highlight their unique heritage
       
4. Cultural Performances: Vibrant cultural programs by schoolchildren, folk dance troupes, traditional music etc.
    
5. Beating Retreat Ceremony: The Republic Day Celebrations comes to a close with the ‘Beating Retreat Ceremony’, which is held every year on the 29th of January at Vijay Chowk. It symbolizes the tradition of soldiers calling a close to the war at sunset. On the day of the Beating Retreat in Delhi, at 6.15 o’clock in the evening the bugles call the retreat sound, and the National Flag is lowered, and the National anthem is sung in musical harmony.
    
6. Awards ceremony: The President of India confers the Padma awards and Gallantry wards such as Param Vir Chakra (highest military honor) and Ashok Chakra (highest peacetime gallantry award). The Rashtriya Bal Puraskar awards are also given to recognize children who have performed acts of bravery and meritorious service.
    

•  Padma Vibhushan is awarded for "exceptional and distinguished service" and is the second highest civilian honor
   
•  Padma Bhushan is awarded for "distinguished service of a high order" and is the third highest civilian honor
   
•  Padma Shri is awarded for "distinguished service" and is the fourth highest civilian honor

 

What are the details about the chief guest tradition?
 

1. The tradition is a symbol of India’s spirit of diplomacy and global cooperation.
    
2. The selection process takes around six months which takes into consideration aspects such as current relationship with the concerned country, political, economic, military, and commercial interests of India and availability of the concerned Chief Guest.
    
3. The candidates are based on a short list prepared by the Ministry of External Affairs.

 

76^th Republic Day celebrations, 2025


 

1. In 2025, India is celebrating its 76^th Republic Day, under the theme “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas” (Golden India: Legacy and Progress), which will highlight India’s rich cultural legacy and hopes for a brighter future.
    
2. This year also marks the milestone of 75 years since the commencement of the Constitution.
    
3. This year, the chief guest for India’s Republic Day celebrations will be H.E. Prabowo Subianto, the President of Indonesia. It will be his first visit to India as President, having assumed office in October 2024.
    

• Notably, Subianto will become the fourth Indonesian president to attend India’s Republic Day. Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno, was the chief guest at India’s inaugural Republic Day celebrations in 1950.
• Subsequent Indonesian presidents, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2011 and Joko Widodo in 2018 (alongside other ASEAN heads of state).
   

4. Year 2025 also marks the 76^th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and Indonesia.
    
5. Tableaux: 31 tableaux from State Governments/Union Territories and Central Governments will participate in the parade. The highlights will include showcasing 75 years of the Constitution of India and 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and India Meteorological Department.
    
6. Bharat Parv: It will be organized at the Red Fort from January 26-31, 2025, by the Ministry of Tourism. It will feature cultural performances, handicraft exhibitions, pan-India cuisines and more.
    
7. Veer Gatha 4.0: It was organized to inspire and spread awareness among children about the gallant deeds and sacrifices of the Armed Forces. The event was organised by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Ministry of Education during 16 September to 31 October 2024.
    
8. Beating Retreat Ceremony: During the Beating Retreat Ceremony - 2025, only Indian tunes are to be played by all the participating bands.

 

75th Republic Day In 2024, India celebrated its 75th Republic Day under theme 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) and 'Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka' (India as the mother of Democracy). The French President, Emmanuel Macron, was the chief guest For the first time, women lead the 2024 Republic Day Parade.

 

FAQS

 

Q. What is Republic Day of India?
 

Ans. Republic Day is celebrated on January 26th to commemorate the day the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950, declaring India a Sovereign, Democratic, and Republic state.
 

Q. Why the Republic Day is celebrated?
 

Ans. January 26, 1950, signifies India's shift to a republic with the adoption of its constitution, celebrated annually as Republic Day.

 

Q. Why is Republic Day celebrated on January 26th?
 

Ans. January 26th was chosen because the Indian National Congress declared Poorna Swaraj (complete independence) on that day in 1930.
 

Q6. Why were 26^th January chosen to be India’s Republic Day?
 

Ans. 26^th January was chosen to be India’s Republic Day because the Indian National Congress had proclaimed Purna Swaraj (complete independence) on that date in 1930.
 

Q. Who was responsible for drafting the Constitution of India?
 

Ans. The Constitution was drafted by the Constituent Assembly, and the Drafting Committee was headed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
 

Q.When did the Constitution of India come into effect?
 

Ans. The Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950.
 

Q. Why was January 26th significant in 1930?
 

Ans. On this day in 1930, the Indian National Congress declared Poorna Swaraj, calling for complete independence from British rule.
 

Q. What is a republic?
 

Ans. A republic is a state in which supreme power rests with the people and their elected representatives, and the head of state is an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.
 

Q.Who was the first President of India?
 

Ans. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India.
 

Q.What are the key events during Republic Day celebrations?
 

Ans. The key events include flag hoisting, Republic Day Parade, cultural performances, the Beating Retreat Ceremony, and awards ceremonies.
 

Q.What happens during the Republic Day Parade?
 

Ans.The Republic Day Parade includes displays of military might, tableaux from states, and cultural performances, starting from Rashtrapati Bhavan and ending at the Red Fort.
 

Q. What is the Beating Retreat Ceremony?
 

Ans. The Beating Retreat Ceremony marks the conclusion of Republic Day celebrations, with bugles calling the retreat sound and the National Flag being lowered.
 

Q. What awards are conferred on Republic Day?

Ans.Awards like the Padma awards, Param Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, and Rashtriya Bal Puraskar are conferred during the celebrations.
 

Q. What are the Padma Awards?
 

Ans. The Padma Awards include Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, which are given for exceptional or distinguished service in various fields.
 

Q. Who is the Chief Guest at India's Republic Day in 2025?
 

Ans. The Chief Guest for Republic Day 2025 is H.E. Prabowo Subianto, the President of Indonesia.
 

Q. Why is January 26th important in India's history?
 

Ans. January 26th marks the date when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950, formally transforming India into a Republic.
 

Q. What is the theme for Republic Day 2025?
 

Ans. The theme for Republic Day 2025 is "Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas" (Golden India: Legacy and Progress).
 

Q. What is the significance of Indonesia's participation in Republic Day celebrations?
 

Ans. Indonesia’s President, Prabowo Subianto, will be the Chief Guest in 2025, marking the 76th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and Indonesia.
 

Q. What is Bharat Parv?

Ans: Bharat Parv is a cultural event organized at the Red Fort from January 26-31, featuring performances, handicrafts, and pan-Indian cuisines.
 

Q.What is the Veer Gatha event?

Ans: The Veer Gatha 4.0 is an initiative to inspire children by educating them about the gallant deeds and sacrifices of the Armed Forces.

Q.What happens during the Beating Retreat Ceremony in 2025?
 

Ans: During the 2025 Beating Retreat Ceremony, only Indian tunes will be played by the participating bands.

 

 

About INDIA   India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world with a kaleidoscopic variety and rich cultural heritage. It has achieved all-round socio-economic progress since Independence. As the 7th largest country in the world, India stands apart from the rest of Asia, marked off as it is by mountains and the sea, which give the country a distinct geographical entity. Bounded by the Great Himalayas in the north, it stretches southwards and at the Tropic of Cancer, tapers off into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Lying entirely in the northern hemisphere, the mainland extends between latitudes 8° 4' and 37° 6' north, longitudes 68° 7' and 97° 25' east and measures about 3,214 km from north to south between the extreme latitudes and about 2,933 km from east to west between the extreme longitudes. It has a land frontier of about 15,200 km. The total length of the coastline of the mainland, Lakshadweep Islands and Andaman & Nicobar Islands is 7,516.6 km.