Republic Day Parade To Highlight Operation Sindoor, Drop VIP Culture

Last Updated:January 16, 2026, 17:37 IST

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said all enclosures for the Republic Day Parade have been renamed after Indian rivers to signal the end of VIP culture.

The Republic Day Parade in Delhi is one of the grandest national events, drawing thousands of spectators every year. For 2026, tickets are priced as low as ₹20, making it accessible for everyone to witness the celebrations. (File Photo)

This year’s Republic Day Parade will move away from traditional, stereotyped displays and VIP culture, focusing instead on a narrative-driven presentation that showcases how India’s armed forces conduct real combat operations, with a special emphasis on Operation Sindoor.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said all enclosures for the Republic Day Parade have been renamed after Indian rivers to signal the end of VIP culture, while seating for the Beating Retreat ceremony has been named after musical instruments.

“This year, to end the VIP culture, we have named all our enclosures for the Republic Day Parade after Indian rivers and the enclosures for the Beating Retreat ceremony after musical instruments," Rajesh Kumar Singh said.

Parade To Move Beyond Stereotyped Displays

Rajesh Kumar Singh said earlier Republic Day parades tended to follow a predictable format and the intent this year was to make the event more engaging and interactive for viewers.

“The earlier Republic Day parades tend to be quite stereotyped. The intent is to make it more interactive and interesting for the viewer," he said.

Referring to public interest in recent military operations, Rajesh Kumar Singh said Operation Sindoor would influence how the parade is designed and presented.

“Given the general excitement about Operation Sindoor, the intent is to show the operational elements behind the parade," he said.

According to the Defence Secretary, the parade will “weave a story" of how a battle unfolds- from reconnaissance and logistics to the use of long-range weapon systems, followed by backup logistics and the integration of air power.

“The idea is to weave a story of how all this equipment and manpower actually get used in a battle to make it a bit more interesting," Rajesh Kumar Singh said.

The narrative approach, Rajesh Kumar Singh said, would help audiences understand how different elements of the armed forces work together in real combat situations, linking equipment, manpower and strategy into a single operational storyline rather than a series of isolated displays.

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