President Murmu, PM Modi Attend Beating Retreat Ceremony As Republic Day Celebrations End | Watch

Last Updated:January 29, 2026, 17:45 IST

Held every year in the national capital, the ceremony featured a coordinated performance by bands from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force

President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi at Beating Retreat ceremony | ANI Image

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday attended the Beating Retreat ceremony, which formally brought the country’s Republic Day celebrations to a close.

The annual event, steeped in military tradition, is a tribute to the discipline, heritage and service of India’s armed forces.

Held every year in the national capital on January 29, the ceremony features a coordinated performance by bands from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, offering a spectacle of precision, music and pageantry that reflects the country’s rich military legacy.

Ahead of the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi shared a message describing the occasion as a celebration of India’s enduring defence traditions.

He said the Beating Retreat embodies the strength and continuity of the nation’s military heritage and expressed pride in the armed forces, calling them central to India’s security and sovereignty.

In his message, the Prime Minister noted that the ceremony symbolises the formal conclusion of Republic Day events.

He underlined how the tradition mirrors the discipline and professionalism of the armed forces and quoted a Sanskrit verse emphasising unity, courage and collective resolve in times of conflict, values that, he said, define India’s defence services.

A Tradition Rooted In History

The Beating Retreat ceremony traces its origins to centuries-old military customs. In India, it is organised annually on January 29, three days after Republic Day, and is usually held at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi.

The event is attended by the President, Prime Minister, senior government functionaries and top military officials.

During the ceremony, military bands perform a range of patriotic and traditional tunes. The lowering of the flags and the ceremonial retreat of the troops mark the official end of the Republic Day festivities.

Renowned for its musical grandeur and immaculate formations, the Beating Retreat showcases the coordination, professionalism and commitment of the armed forces.

The blend of Indian compositions and military marches reflects both the country’s cultural diversity and its martial traditions.

The event also serves as a tribute to the values of service, sacrifice and unity upheld by the defence forces.

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