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| A Glimpse of the 77th Republic Day Celebrations at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on January 26, 2026. (PIB) |
India Pulse | January 26, 2026: Your Daily Digest of India's Governance, Progress, and Vision
Harrdiip Bedii
The India Pulse Newsletter for January 26, 2026 covers India celebrating its 77th Republic Day showcasing cultural diversity, economic progress and military strength, President Murmu hosting Republic Day reception, Kiren Rijiju calling all-party meeting ahead of Budget Session, Uttarakhand government implementing UCC Amendment Ordinance 2026, MHA tableau featuring three new criminal laws as highlighted by Amit Shah, Nagaland showcasing Hornbill Festival at Republic Day Parade, Shivraj Singh Chouhan stating agriculture remains backbone of Indian economy, and India showcasing agri-food sector at Gulfood 2026.
NEWS IN DETAIL
India Celebrates 77th Republic Day Showcasing Country’s Cultural Diversity, Economic Progress, Military Strength
India celebrated 77th Republic Day, showcasing the country’s cultural diversity, economic progress and military strength in a magnificent parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi.
President Droupadi Murmu led the Nation in celebrating the Republic Day. The ceremony commenced with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the National War Memorial, where he paid tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath.
President arrived at Kartavya Path in a ceremonial buggy with the chief guests of the parade, the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
She unfurled the Tricolour, which was followed by the rendering of the National Anthem with a 21-gun salute by 105 mm Light Field Guns.
The Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path highlighted a unique blend of India’s cultural diversity and military prowess. The day celebrated under this year’s theme of ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ witnessed thirty tableaux from various States, Union Territories, Central Government Ministries and Departments during the parade.
The tableaux showcased the cultural diversity of the country by exhibiting a unique mix of 150 years of national song Vande Mataram and the nation’s rapid progress on the back of growing self-reliance across sectors.
A tri-services tableau showing replicas of major weapon systems used by the Indian military during Operation Sindoor was one of the key attractions at the parade. BrahMos and Akash weapon systems, the rocket launcher system ‘Suryastra’ with deep-strike capabilities and the Main Battle Tank Arjun were among the main military platforms that India presented during the Parade at Kartavya.
The attendees witnessed this multi-skilled display of the country with pride and captured the flypasts and tableaux in their phones as they applauded and hailed their warriors at the forefront and talented artists.
President Murmu conferred the Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla with India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashoka Chakra.
The event concluded with a flypast by 29 Indian Air Force aircraft, including Rafale, Su-30, C-295, Mig-29, Apache, among others. Over 2 thousand and 500 artists presented cultural performances during the parade, with special guests from different walks of life attending the ceremony.
President Murmu Hosts Republic Day Reception
President Droupadi Murmu hosted an At Home reception on the occasion of the Republic Day at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The Chief Guests at the Republic Day celebrations, European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, attended the reception.
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Former President Ram Nath Kovind, Chief Justice Surya Kant, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Ministers, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, eminent citizens who have made remarkable contributions in different fields, and, beneficiaries of various developmental programmes of the Government were present on the occasion.
The guests enjoyed vibrant artistic and cultural elements as well as the cuisine of the North-Eastern states of India.
Kiren Rijiju Calls All-Party Meeting Ahead of Budget Session
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has called an all-party meeting at 11 AM on January 27, 2026, to discuss key national issues and legislative business ahead of the Budget Session.
The meeting will be held in the main committee room and is aimed at streamlining legislative business and managing key national issues expected to come up during the session, which begins on January 28 and runs until April 2.
The first phase is scheduled from January 28 to February 13, while the second phase will run from March 9 to April 2.
The Budget Session will feature 30 sittings, with the Union Budget 2026-27 being presented on February 1.
President Droupadi Murmu will formally open the session, addressing members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Uttarakhand Govt Implements UCC (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026
The Uttarakhand Government has implemented the Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, to introduce necessary amendments to the UCC Act, 2024, following the approval of the Governor.
As per the release from the Chief Minister’s Office, the ordinance has been promulgated by the Governor of Uttarakhand, under Article 213 of the Constitution of India and has come into force with immediate effect.
It said that through this ordinance, procedural, administrative, and penal improvements have been made to various provisions of the Code to ensure its effective, transparent, and smooth implementation.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, along with promoting women’s empowerment, protecting children’s rights, and ensuring equality in civil rights, one of the UCC’s most significant contributions has been simplifying procedures.
Speaking on the issue, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that by implementing the Uniform Civil Code, Uttarakhand has shown the way for other states. He added that the transparency and simplicity with which the provisions of the UCC have been implemented over the past year have strengthened public trust in the process.
According to the release, before the implementation of the UCC, marriages were registered under the Uttarakhand Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act, 2010. The entire process was offline, requiring both spouses and two witnesses to be physically present at the Sub-Registrar’s office.
However, under the UCC, nearly 100 per cent of marriage registrations are now being completed online. Couples and witnesses can apply from anywhere by uploading their records and recording video statements. As a result, until January 19, 2026, a total of 4,74,447 marriage registrations had been completed in less than a year since the UCC came into force.
Simplifying and digitising processes related to marriage, divorce, and live-in relationships, it has made systems far more accessible for ordinary citizens.
MHA Tableau Features Three New Criminal Laws Embodying Historic Legal Reforms: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the Ministry of Home Affairs tableau at the Republic Day Parade featuring three new criminal laws embodied the historic legal reforms erasing colonial vestiges under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a social media post, Mr Shah underlined that the tableau aptly displayed the new e-Sakshya, e-Summons, Nyaya Shruti, NAFIS and ICJS systems. The Home Minister added that this sensitises citizens to the primacy of a fast, accurate, and people-centric justice system in New India.
Mr Shah also noted how the three new criminal laws have flagged off the country’s journey from a Punishment Oriented to a Justice Oriented legal system.
Nagaland Showcases Hornbill Festival at Republic Day Parade
Nagaland showcased the Hornbill Festival at the 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path in New Delhi.
Nagaland’s tableau presented “The Hornbill Festival – Celebrating Culture, Tourism and Self-Reliance,” highlights the State’s cultural heritage, its globally recognised festival, and the growing focus on tourism-led development in line with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said it was a proud moment as Nagaland’s tableau featured in the Republic Day 2026 Parade.
Mr Rio conveyed his appreciation to the artistes and creative teams for their dedication in beautifully showcasing Nagaland’s rich cultural heritage.
Agriculture Remains Backbone of Indian economy: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the government is working to ensure 100% procurement of pulses, including toor, masoor and urad at Minimum Support Price to guarantee fair returns to farmers. The Minister said this while interacting with the farmers specially invited by the Government on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day in New Delhi.
Mr Chouhan said that agriculture remains the backbone of the Indian economy, with nearly 70% of the population dependent directly or indirectly on farming and allied activities. He said India has become the world’s largest rice producer, overtaking China, and added that restrictions on rice exports have been removed, leading to better prices for farmers, particularly for basmati rice.
The Minister added that to protect domestic growers, the government has also imposed a 30% import duty on pulses.
Mr Chouhan said the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is being further strengthened. He said the government is considering extending insurance coverage to crop losses caused by wild animals and waterlogging. He also announced that insurance companies will be liable to pay 12% interest if claim payments are delayed beyond the stipulated period.
Highlighting digital reforms, the Minister said Farmer ID is being introduced as a unique identity for farmers to simplify access to loans, insurance and welfare schemes, while reducing paperwork and delays through satellite-based crop assessment.
He also announced stricter action against fake seeds, fertilisers and pesticides, stating that penalties will be increased up to 30 lakh rupees, along with provisions for imprisonment for serious violations.
Mr Chouhan said, scientific research has been intensified through the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, with ICAR teams working on crop disease prediction, post-harvest losses and improving the shelf life of perishable produce.
India Showcases Agri-Food Sector at Gulfood 2026
India is participating as a partner country at Gulfood 2026, the world’s largest annual food and beverage sourcing event, which opened today in Dubai across two venues for the first time in its 31-year history.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is leading India’s participation at the event, which spans the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai.
The Indian pavilion, covering 1,434 square metres, features 161 exhibitors from 25 states and regions across India, representing exporters, farmer-producer organisations, cooperatives, startups, state government agencies and national institutions.
Products on display include processed foods, fresh and frozen items, pulses, grains, cereals, beverages and value-added food products, with emphasis on quality, sustainability and international compliance standards.
The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) is also participating, with 11 exhibitors showcasing agricultural and food products, primarily basmati rice and other cereal grains.
A high-level delegation led by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries is visiting Gulfood 2026 with the primary objective of promoting investments in India. The ministry, along with Invest India, is jointly working to promote investments across the food processing and allied sectors.
India’s participation reflects its growing role in global agri-food trade and strengthened ties with the UAE following the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which has enhanced market access for Indian agricultural and food products in the Gulf region.
Gulfood 2026, running from January 26 to 30, has expanded significantly, operating simultaneously across two locations to accommodate over 8,500 exhibitors from more than 100 countries. APEDA aims to strengthen buyer-seller linkages and consolidate India’s position as a reliable partner in the global food value chain.