New Delhi: Nearly 10,000 distinguished invitees, along with their spouses, will attend the 77th Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on January 26, 2026, as part of the government’s effort to recognise grassroots contributions to national development, the Ministry of Defence has said.
According to the ministry, the special guests have been selected from a wide range of sectors, including income and employment generation, innovation and research, start-ups, Self Help Groups, and beneficiaries who have excelled under key central schemes. The initiative aims to honour citizens whose work has had a direct impact on nation-building while encouraging greater public participation in events of national significance.
The invitees will be given prominent seating along Kartavya Path during the parade. Beyond the main ceremony, a series of engagements has been planned for them in the capital, including visits to the National War Memorial, the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library, and other notable landmarks. The guests are also expected to interact with Union Ministers during their stay.
In parallel, security arrangements for the Republic Day celebrations have been significantly strengthened. Delhi Police has rolled out an extensive, technology-backed security framework across Kartavya Path and the broader New Delhi district, following multiple threat assessments shared by intelligence agencies.
This year, the seating blocks for spectators have been named after major Indian rivers, adding a symbolic element to the arrangements. Authorities have also introduced changes in security deployment to balance heightened safety measures with the convenience of guests.
Delhi Police has advised all invitees and ticket holders to carefully follow instructions mentioned on their entry passes and to adhere strictly to designated routes. Detailed information regarding access points, parking facilities and enclosures has been made available on the official websites of the Ministry of Defence and Delhi Police to ensure smooth movement on the day of the parade.
