New Delhi

Over 6,000 military personnel will take part in this year's Republic Day Parade, with Bhairav Battalion and Shaktibaan regiment to take part in the grand ceremony for the first time.

Major General Navraj Dhillon, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area, who interacted with the media here, said Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar, GOC, Delhi Area, will head the parade for the fourth time.

"Bhairav Battalion, Shaktibaan regiment to take part in the parade for the first time, along with Ladakh Scouts. Kites, Zanskar ponies and Bactrian camel also will also take part in the Republic Day parade for the first time," he said.

A full-dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade was held at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on Friday.

A few roads in Central Delhi were cordoned off for the full-dress rehearsal of Republic Day.

A total of 30 tableaux, including 17 from States and Union Territories (UTs) and 13 from Ministries, Departments, and Services, will roll down the Kartavya Path during the 77th Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26.

According to a Ministry of Defence release, Republic Day celebrations will feature a grand display under the themes 'Swatantrata ka Mantra: a broad theme of 'Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram' and 'Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. The tableaux will showcase a unique mix of 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram and the nation's rapid progress on the back of the growing self-reliance across sectors, dipped in its rich and vibrant cultural diversity.

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will showcase some of its path-breaking innovations for national security during the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path and Bharat Parv 2026. Apart from displaying Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM), DRDO will have a tableau 'Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines'.

This year, the Indian Air Force is the lead service for conducting all ceremonial events related to the Republic Day celebrations.