About Republic Day
Republic Day, or Gantantra Diwas, marks 26 January 1950, the day the Constitution of India came into force and India became a republic with an elected head of state. It is a national holiday across all states and union territories, and in 2027 it falls on Tuesday, 26 January 2027.
Why 26 January
India became independent on 15 August 1947, but for two and a half more years it was a dominion. The British monarch was still formally head of state, and the country ran on the Government of India Act, 1935. Republic Day marks the end of that arrangement.
The date itself was chosen with care. At its Lahore session in December 1929 the Indian National Congress resolved to demand Purna Swaraj, complete independence, and asked Indians to publicly affirm it on 26 January 1930. For the next seventeen years nationalists marked 26 January as their Independence Day. When the Constitution was ready, its leaders held back its start until that date so the new republic would begin on the day the demand was first made.
How did India become a republic?
India became a republic through the Constituent Assembly, which first met on 9 December 1946 with Rajendra Prasad as its President. A seven-member Drafting Committee chaired by B. R. Ambedkar was set up on 29 August 1947 and presented its draft on 4 November 1948. After nearly three years of debate, the Assembly adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949, the date now kept as Constitution Day. Members signed the handwritten copies on 24 January 1950. The English and Hindi originals were written out by the calligrapher Prem Behari Narain Raizada and decorated with artwork by Nandalal Bose.
- 26 Jan 1930Purna Swaraj Day
Congress members and supporters across India take a pledge for complete independence.
- 15 Aug 1947Independence
India becomes a free dominion; the Governor-General still represents the Crown.
- 26 Nov 1949Constitution adopted
The Constituent Assembly passes the final text.
- 24 Jan 1950Constitution signed
Members sign the hand-lettered Hindi and English copies.
- 26 Jan 1950Republic declared
India is proclaimed a sovereign democratic republic at 10:18 am; Rajendra Prasad is sworn in as President six minutes later.
The first Republic Day was modest by today's standards. The proclamation was read in the Durbar Hall of Government House, now Rashtrapati Bhavan, and a 31-gun salute announced it. That afternoon Prasad rode in a horse-drawn coach through Connaught Place to the Irwin Amphitheatre, where about 3,000 servicemen paraded before a crowd of around 15,000. Indonesia's President Sukarno was the chief guest, beginning the custom of inviting a foreign leader each year.
We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign democratic republic…
The words "socialist" and "secular" were added to the Preamble later, by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.
How is Republic Day celebrated in Delhi?
The national Republic Day ceremony is held on Kartavya Path, the avenue formerly called Rajpath that runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan past India Gate. The morning begins with the Prime Minister laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. The President then unfurls the Tricolour, the national anthem plays with a 21-gun salute, and the parade follows: army, navy and air force contingents, the Border Security Force's camel contingent, tableaux from states, union territories and ministries, school children's performances, motorcycle displays and a flypast.
Since 2022 the official celebrations run from 23 January, the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose kept as Parakram Diwas, instead of 24 January. National Voters' Day falls on 25 January, the founding date of the Election Commission. The names of Padma award recipients are announced that evening. The celebrations close on 29 January with Beating Retreat at Vijay Chowk, where military bands play at sunset in a ceremony drawn from the old practice of troops withdrawing from the field at the bugle call. The next day is Martyrs' Day, the anniversary of Gandhi's assassination.
How is Republic Day celebrated in states, schools and offices?
Outside Delhi, Republic Day starts with Governors unfurling the flag in state capitals and Lieutenant Governors in union territories, and most states hold their own parade with local tableaux. Schools hold a flag ceremony in the morning, sing the national anthem, and often read the Preamble aloud; many hand out sweets, and students give short speeches on the Constitution. Housing societies and offices commonly hold a short flag ceremony before the day's holiday begins. At home, many families watch the Delhi parade on Doordarshan.
The Flag Code of India allows the public to wave paper flags on national occasions but asks that they not be thrown on the ground afterwards. Since the Code was amended in 2021, machine-made and polyester flags are also allowed, but the rule on dignity is the same.
Do
- Say what the day is about: the Constitution coming into force, and with it the vote, equal rights and duties.
- Thank people who keep the republic running: soldiers, police, teachers, polling staff, municipal workers.
- Keep workplace wishes inclusive and short; the day belongs to every citizen equally.
- Pick up paper flags after the school or society event and dispose of them privately.
Avoid
- Don't mix it up with Independence Day or use "years of freedom" lines on 26 January.
- Avoid wishes that attack another country, party or community.
- Don't put the flag on things that will be cut, crumpled or thrown away, like cake toppers and paper plates.
- Don't forward "Republic Day facts" without checking them; many viral lists get the dates wrong.
What to write
A Republic Day message reads best when it names something concrete: the right to vote, a Constitution that applies equally to everyone, or the people who serve. A line from the Preamble often works better than a generic slogan.
Gantantra Diwas ki shubhkamnayein, Maa and Papa. Thank you for never missing a vote and for teaching us why it matters.
Wishing you a happy Republic Day. Here's to the Constitution that gives each of us the same rights and the same voice.
Happy Republic Day from home. The parade is on, the Tricolour is up, and we're thinking of you watching from far away.
On Republic Day, thank you for the years you gave in uniform so the rest of us could live freely under our Constitution.
Happy Republic Day. Thank you for teaching us the Preamble by heart and, more than that, what it means.
Happy Republic Day. You're now part of "We, the people of India". Use that vote well.
Warm wishes on India's Republic Day. May the year ahead bring steady growth and fair dealings for all of us.
- Gantantra Diwas
- Hindi for Republic Day; gantantra means republic.
- Purna Swaraj
- Complete self-rule, the independence goal the Congress declared in 1929.
- Kartavya Path
- The ceremonial avenue in New Delhi, formerly Rajpath, where the parade is held.
- Beating Retreat
- The military band ceremony at Vijay Chowk on 29 January that closes the celebrations.
- Tableau
- A decorated float showing a state's culture or a ministry's work in the parade.
For a longer look at 15 August, see Independence Day, and for other national dates see the 2027 calendar.
How to wish someone on Republic Day
A good Republic Day wish is about the Constitution and the citizen, not only the flag. Mention the rights and duties the day stands for, thank people who serve (soldiers, teachers, election and civic workers), and keep the tone proud but not aggressive. Hindi "Gantantra Diwas ki shubhkamnayein" works well for family; plain English suits colleagues of every background.
Write a few lines in your own words, pick a design and share it as one link on WhatsApp, Instagram or anywhere else. They open an animated card made just for them, with no app and no sign-up.
Language tip: English, Hindi + recipient language.
When is Republic Day in 2026 and 2027?
Republic Day is on 26 Jan every year. Only the weekday changes.
- 2026
- 2027
Frequently asked questions
Why is Republic Day celebrated on 26 January?
On 26 January 1930 the Indian National Congress asked Indians to pledge themselves to Purna Swaraj, complete independence. The Constitution was brought into force on 26 January 1950 to honour that date, making India a republic.
What is the difference between Republic Day and Independence Day?
Independence Day, 15 August, marks India's freedom from British rule in 1947. Republic Day, 26 January, marks the Constitution coming into force in 1950, when India replaced the British Crown with an elected President as head of state.
Who unfurls the flag on Republic Day?
The President of India unfurls the national flag at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on Republic Day. Governors do it in state capitals and Lieutenant Governors in union territories, while the Prime Minister hoists the flag at the Red Fort on Independence Day.
Who was the chief guest at the first Republic Day?
Sukarno, the first President of Indonesia, was chief guest at the first Republic Day celebration on 26 January 1950, held at the Irwin Amphitheatre in Delhi. Since then India has invited a foreign head of state or government almost every year.
When was the Constitution adopted, and when did it come into force?
The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949, now marked as Constitution Day. It came into force on 26 January 1950, which is why Republic Day falls on that date.
When does the Beating Retreat ceremony take place?
Beating Retreat is held on the evening of 29 January at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi. Bands of the army, navy, air force and central armed police forces perform, and the ceremony formally ends the Republic Day celebrations.
Last verified by the Kehdoo team on .