Republic Day 2027: India's 78th Republic Day

Which Republic Day is it in 2027?

2027 is the 78th Republic Day. The count treats January 26, 1950 as the 1st Republic Day, so each anniversary number is the year minus 1949. The table lists the weekday and anniversary number for upcoming years.

Why is Republic Day celebrated on January 26?

The Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949, after nearly three years of debate. Members signed it on January 24, 1950, and it came into effect on January 26, 1950. It replaced the Government of India Act 1935 as the country's governing document and ended India's status as a British dominion.

The date was chosen deliberately. At its Lahore session in December 1929, the Indian National Congress passed a resolution demanding Purna Swaraj, or complete independence, and on January 26, 1930 it observed Purna Swaraj Day across the country. Bringing the Constitution into force on January 26 linked the new republic to that declaration.

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, president of the Constituent Assembly, was sworn in as India's first President on January 26, 1950. November 26 is now observed separately as Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas).

Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path

The main celebration takes place in New Delhi. The Prime Minister begins the day by paying tribute to fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial. The President of India then unfurls the national flag on Kartavya Path, accompanied by the national anthem and a 21-gun salute, and takes the salute as the parade passes. The avenue was called Rajpath until it was renamed Kartavya Path in 2022.

The parade, organized by the Ministry of Defence, features marching contingents from the Army, Navy and Air Force, paramilitary and police units, military equipment and a flypast by the Indian Air Force. Tableaux, or decorated floats, from states, union territories and central ministries present regional culture and government programs, and school groups and folk artists perform along the route.

In most years, India invites a foreign head of state or government as chief guest. The tradition dates to the first Republic Day in 1950, when President Sukarno of Indonesia attended; there was no chief guest in 2021 or 2022 because of COVID-19. In state capitals, the governor unfurls the flag at the state's own parade.

Padma awards and Beating Retreat

Celebrations begin on the evening of January 25, when the President addresses the nation and the government announces the Padma awards. The three Padma awards, the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, are among India's highest civilian honors. Gallantry awards for the armed forces are also announced around Republic Day.

The festivities officially close on January 29 with the Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi. Military bands perform at sunset in the presence of the President, drawing on the old military custom of troops ending the day's fighting and returning to camp at sundown.

Difference between Independence Day and Republic Day

Independence Day marks the end of British rule on August 15, 1947. Republic Day marks January 26, 1950, when India's Constitution came into force and the country became a republic with an Indian President as head of state. Between those dates, India was a dominion, with the British monarch as head of state, represented by a Governor-General.

On Independence Day, the Prime Minister raises the flag from the bottom of the pole at the Red Fort and addresses the nation from its ramparts. On Republic Day, the folded flag is already at the top of the pole and the President unfurls it there.

Is Republic Day a public holiday?

Yes. Republic Day is one of India's three national holidays, along with Independence Day (August 15) and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2). It is a gazetted holiday for central government offices, and banks are closed across the country; see January bank holidays for other countries.

Schools, colleges, offices and residential societies often hold a short flag ceremony in the morning with patriotic songs and cultural programs. Tickets for the New Delhi parade and Beating Retreat are issued by the Ministry of Defence in the weeks before the event. Check official Government of India announcements for holiday notices, timings and ticket details.

January 26 is also Australia Day. See January 26 for more on the date and the January holidays list for the rest of the month.

Related

• January holidays
• January 26
• Australia Day
• Bank holidays
• National days
• January 2027 calendar