Republic Day 2028: Date, History & Significance

The Delhi parade on Kartavya Path features the armed forces, paramilitary and police contingents, military hardware, state and ministry tableaux, school children's performances, a motorcycle display and a flypast; a foreign head of state is usually the chief guest. It follows the Beating Retreat ceremony on 29 January. Gallantry awards (Param Vir Chakra and others) and civilian honours are announced around this time.

The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949 and it came into force on 26 January 1950 — a date deliberately chosen because on 26 January 1930 the Congress had declared Purna Swaraj, complete independence, and had asked Indians to observe the day each year until it was won. Republic Day thus completes what Independence Day began: not just freedom from foreign rule but a self-given constitutional order.

Source: Government of India / United Nations designation and official observance

Republic Day has been kept since 1950; the parade site was the National Stadium, then Rajpath (now Kartavya Path) from 1955. It is one of the three national holidays. 26 January is also observed as the anniversary of the 1930 Purna Swaraj declaration.

• Wikipedia

1. The day marks the Constitution coming into force on 26 January 1950; the President unfurls the flag at Kartavya Path in New Delhi.
2. The parade showcases the armed forces, state tableaux and cultural troupes, followed by a flypast; Governors and Chief Ministers lead state parades.
3. Schools, offices and housing societies hoist the flag, sing the national anthem and hold cultural programmes; the celebrations close with Beating Retreat on 29 January.

• New Delhi (Kartavya Path). The national parade — the President's salute, the armed forces and tableaux, the flypast, and a foreign chief guest; followed by Beating Retreat on 29 January.
• State capitals and districts. The Governor or a minister takes the salute at a state parade; flag-hoisting and cultural programmes everywhere.

• Sweets at the flag-hoisting — Laddoos or boondi are handed out after the ceremony at schools and offices.

Republic Day falls on Wednesday, 26 January 2028. India's constitution took effect, 1950.

at sunrise

Republic Day is kept on 26 January (fixed) — one of India's three national holidays. It follows the Gregorian civil calendar and does not move.

The date is set by the Hindu lunisolar calendar and shifts against the Gregorian year.