The Republic Day Parade in 2026 should be awesome! It’s on January 26th at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. You’ll see India’s culture displayed through cool scenes from different states, territories, and government groups. Ever wonder how they pick those scenes? Here’s the story.
Republic Day Parade 2026 Scenes: National Ideas
For the 2026 parade, the scenes will have two main ideas:
- Svatantrata Ka Mantr – Vande Mataram (sort of means chant of freedom)
- Samriddhi Ka Mantr – Aatmanirbhar Bharat (sort of means chant of growth – Self-Reliant India)
These are important because 2026 is the 150th birthday of Vande Mataram, India’s national song. The ideas show India’s fight for freedom, its culture, and its goal to stand on its own.
There will be 30 scenes total that were approved:
- 17 from states and territories
- 13 from government groups and the military
Everyone making a scene has to show the ideas through culture, history, cool new stuff, and stories of how things are getting better.
State Scenes: Culture and Freedom

Some states will show off cool stuff:
- Gujarat and Chhattisgarh are doing the Vande Mataram thing, celebrating being united as a nation.
- Assam’s scene is about Ashirakandi, known for making cool stuff out of clay.
- Maharashtra is planning to show Ganeshotsav, a festival that shows community and culture.
- West Bengal wants to talk about its part in India’s freedom, linking it to Vande Mataram.
- The Ministry of Culture will also make a scene about the 150th birthday of Vande Mataram.
Who Decides the Themes?
The Ministry of Defence picks the themes for the parade. They talk to other government people before deciding.
Then, states, territories, and ministries can send in their ideas for scenes. It’s a competition to get in the parade!
They have to send their ideas through the Rashtraparv Portal, with:
- A paper explaining what the design is
- Drawings
- Words to explain the scene
- Videos or sound to go with it
How the Scenes Are Picked
An expert group picks the scenes; it takes months and multiple rounds.
- First Look: They check the drawings and ideas.
- Changes: People fix their designs if they were suggested
- Shortlist: Teams build 3D models.
- Final Choices: Models are picked based on:
- how well they fit the theme
- how clear they are
- if they use new stuff
- if they can tell a story to many people
They want art, crafts, artists, and performers from different areas.
The Ministry of Defence wants people to avoid too much stuff in the scenes, not too many words, and simple but strong stories.
150 Years of Vande Mataram: Not Just Scenes
The celebration of 150 years of Vande Mataram isn’t just about the scenes:
- Paintings from 1923 by Tejendra Kumar Mitra that show the song will be on Kartavya Path.
- From January 19-26, military bands will play concerts with Vande Mataram music all over the country.
- There will be shows at Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s home in West Bengal, now a research center.
- Even the flowers at the parade will have a Vande Mataram theme.
A Great Republic Day
The way they pick the scenes for the 2026 Republic Day Parade shows that India wants to tell real stories, celebrate culture, and be united. The parade will be a great tribute to India’s past, present, and future with good themes, a fair selection, and celebrations that mean something.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who decides the tableaux themes?
Republic Day Parade 2026 tableaux themes are decided by the Ministry of Defence in consultation with other central government agencies.
What are the official tableaux themes?
Republic Day Parade 2026 tableaux will be presented under two themes: “Svatantrata Ka Mantr – Vande Mataram” and “Samriddhi Ka Mantr – Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
Why is Vande Mataram significant this year?
Republic Day Parade 2026 marks 150 years of Vande Mataram, India’s national song, making it a central focus of the celebrations.
How many tableaux will participate?
Republic Day Parade 2026 will feature 30 tableaux, with 17 from States and Union Territories and 13 from Central Ministries, Departments, and Services.
Which states are focusing on the Vande Mataram theme?
Republic Day Parade 2026 will see Gujarat and Chhattisgarh highlighting the Vande Mataram theme through their cultural and historical narratives.
What will Assam, Maharashtra, and West Bengal showcase?
Republic Day Parade 2026 tableaux include Assam highlighting Ashirakandi crafts, Maharashtra showcasing Ganeshotsav, and West Bengal depicting its role in India’s freedom movement.
How are tableaux proposals submitted?
Republic Day Parade 2026 tableaux proposals must be submitted through the Rashtraparv Portal with concept notes, sketches, descriptions, and audio-visual material.
How are tableaux selected?
Republic Day Parade 2026 tableaux are selected through six to seven rounds of evaluation by an expert committee, starting from sketches to final 3D models.
What criteria are used for final selection?
Republic Day Parade 2026 tableaux are judged on theme relevance, visual clarity, innovation, use of technology, and effective storytelling for large audiences.
What design guidelines has the MoD issued?
Republic Day Parade 2026 participants have been advised to avoid crowded visuals, heavy text, and excessive data, focusing instead on simple and clear designs.
How will the 150 years of Vande Mataram be celebrated beyond tableaux?
Republic Day Parade 2026 celebrations include displays of 1923 paintings by Tejendra Kumar Mitra, nationwide band performances, themed floral décor, and events at Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s ancestral home in Naihati.







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