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India Pulse | Republic Day Special: Special Coverage of India's Republic Day 2026
Harrdiip Bedii
The India Pulse Republic Day 2026 Special Edition covers President Droupadi Murmu emphasising Atma-Nirbharata and Swadeshi as guiding principles in shaping India’s economic destiny, approving conferment of 131 Padma Awards for 2026, approving gallantry awards to 70 armed forces personnel, distinguished awards to ICG personnel, 98 Mentioned-in-Despatches to armed forces and BRDB personnel, and , honouring 30 individuals with Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards.
It also has details of 416 IAF personnel awarded honorary ranks on Republic Day 2026, 982 personnel of police, fire, home guard, civil defence and correctional services awarded gallantry/service medals, 33 Delhi Police officers conferred medals on Republic Day 2026, Jaishankar meeting EU leaders ahead of Republic Day, and Ministry of Tourism organising Bharat Parv from January 26-31 to mark Republic Day 2026.
NEWS IN DETAIL
Atma-Nirbharata, Swadeshi Guiding Principles in Shaping Country’s Economic Destiny: President Droupadi Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu has said that Atma-nirbharata and Swadeshi are the guiding principles in shaping the country’s economic destiny. She lauded India’s young entrepreneurs, sportspersons, scientists, and professionals for energising the nation and making their mark globally. President Murmu made these remarks while addressing the nation on the eve of the 77th Republic Day on Sunday.
President Murmu said that the country has the world’s largest young population and its youth possess immense talent. She added that a large number of country’s young population is presenting impressive instances of success through self-employment.
In her address, the President also noted that despite global uncertainties, India is recording continuous economic growth. She highlighted that the country is the world’s fastest-growing major economy. The President said that the country is moving towards achieving the goal of becoming the world’s third-largest economy in the near future. Highlighting the government’s decision of GST rationalisation, President Murmu said that the decision will further strengthen the country’s economy. The President also noted that recent labour reforms will benefit workers and also accelerate the development of enterprises.
Urging everyone to work together with the spirit of ‘Nation First’ and make India even more glorious, President Murmu said that Republic Day is an opportunity to strengthen the strong feeling of patriotism. In her address, the President also mentioned that the Indian Constitution is the foundational document of the largest republic in the world’s history. She highlighted that the ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity enshrined in the Constitution define a country’s Republic. The President said that the framers of the Constitution provided a strong bedrock for the spirit of nationalism and the unity of the country through constitutional provisions.
In her address, the President also noted India’s precision strikes against terror infrastructure through Operation Sindoor last year. President Murmu added that during the operation, terror centres were destroyed and many terrorists met their end. The President highlighted that India’s self-reliance in the field of defence powered the historic success of Operation Sindoor. She said that based on the strength of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, people have complete trust in the country’s defence preparedness.
The President said that the success of start-ups in the country is mainly driven by India’s young entrepreneurs. President Murmu noted that the country’s development will gain momentum through policies and programmes focused on the aspirations of the younger generation. The President expressed confidence that the power of youth will play a leading role in the making of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The President noted that the country’s women are actively contributing to the overall development of the nation. She underlined that more than ten crore women associated with self-help groups are redefining the process of development. She said that women are making their mark in every field, from agriculture to space, from self-employment to the armed forces. The President further highlighted that in the field of Sports, the country’s daughters have set new benchmarks globally. She added that by winning the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and the Blind Women’s T20 World Cup in November last year, the daughters of India scripted a golden chapter in Sporting history.
Highlighting that annadata farmers are the backbone of a country’s society and economy, the President said that generations of hardworking farmers have made the country self-reliant in food grains. She said that the world’s largest scheme of its kind embodying the spirit of Antyodaya, the ‘PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana’, is based on the idea that no one should go hungry in a country of over 140 crore people. The President said that this scheme is providing succour to nearly 81 crore beneficiaries. She added that by constructing more than four crore pucca houses equipped with electricity, water, and toilet facilities for poor families, they have been provided with a foundation for living a dignified life and making further progress.
President Murmu further urged citizens to make efforts to ensure that Mother Earth’s precious resources remain available for future generations. Mentioning that a lifestyle in harmony with nature has been a part of India’s cultural tradition, she said that this lifestyle is the basis of the country’s message to the global community: Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE). She added that the future of humanity can remain secure only if there is peace in the whole world. In an atmosphere marked by conflicts in many parts of the world, the President said that India is spreading the message of world peace.
President Murmu Approves Conferment of 131 Padma Awards for Year 2026
President Droupadi Murmu has approved the conferment of 131 Padma Awards for the year 2026. The list comprises five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri Awards. Nineteen of the awardees are women, and 16 awards have been given Posthumously.
Continuing with the principle of celebrating ordinary Indians making extraordinary contributions, this year’s Padma Awards recognise a wide spectrum of unsung heroes from across the length and breadth of India.
Late Bollywood Actor Dharmendra Singh Deol has been given the Padma Vibhushan posthumously for his remarkable contribution in the field of Art.
K T Thomas from Kerala in the field of public affairs, N Rajam from Uttar Pradesh in Arts, and P Narayanan from Kerala in Literature have also been awarded the second-highest civilian award. Former Chief Minister of Kerala V S Achuthanandan has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously for his contribution in the field of Public Affairs.
The list of Padma Bhushan awardees includes: Singer Alka Yagnik, Former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswamy from Tamil Nadu and Actor Mammootty from Kerala. The awardees also include Nori Dattatreyudu and Vijay Amritraj, S K M Maeilanandhan from Tamil Nadu, Shatavadhani R Ganesh, Uday Kotak, and Vellappally Natesan. Piyush Pandey, V K Malhotra and Shibu Soren have been given the Padma Bhushan posthumously.
The government has also announced to award the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, to 113 individuals for their distinguished service in various fields, including art, social work, public affairs, medicine and sports.
The list of awardees include: Anke Gowda from Karnataka in Liturature and Education, Armida Fernandez from Maharashtra in Medicine, Bhagwandas Raikwar from Madhya Pradesh in Sports, Bhiklya Ladakya Dhinda from Maharashtra in Arts, Brij Lal Bhat from Jammu and Kashmir for social work, Budhri Tati from Chhattisgarh for social work, Charan Hembram from Odisha in Literature and Education, Chiranji Lal Yadav from Uttar Pradesh in Arts, Dr Kumarasamy Thangaraj of Telangana in Research and Dharmiklal Chunilal Pandya in Arts from Gujarat, Dr Padma Gurmet from Ladakh in Medicine, Dr Punniamurthy Natesan from Tamil Nadu for vetenary scientists, Dr Shyam Sundar from Uttar Pradesh in Medicine, Gafruddin Mewati Jogi from Rajasthan in Arts, Hally War from Meghalaya for Social Worker, Inderjit Singh Sidhu from Chandigarh for social work, K Pajanivel from Puducherry for Arts, Kailash Chandra Pant from Madhya Pradesh for Literature and Education, Khemraj Sundriyal from Haryana for Arts, Kollakkayil Devaki Amma G from Kerala for Environment and aforestation, Mahendra Kumar Mishra from Odisha for Literatrure and Education, Mir Hajibhai Kasambhai from Gujarat in Arts, Mohan Nagar from Madhya Pradesh in Environment, Naresh Chandra Dev Varma from Tripura for Literature and Education, Nilesh Vinodchandra Mandlewala from Gujarat in Social Work, Nuruddin Ahmed of Assam in Arts, Othuvar Thiruthani Swaminathan from Tamil Nadu in Arts, Jogesh Deuri of Assam for arts, Pokhila Lekthepi from Assam in Arts, R Krishnan from Tamil Nadu, Ram Chandra Godbole and Sunita Godbole from Chhattisgarh in Medicine, Raghupat Singh from Uttar Pradesh in Agriculture, Raghuveer Tukaram Khedkar from Maharastra in Arts, Rajastapathi Kaliappa Goundar from Tamil Nadu for Arts, Ramamurthy Sreedher of Delhi, Rama Reddy Mamidi from Telangana for Animal Husbandry and Dairy, SG Susheelamma from Karnataka in Social Work, Sangyusang S Pongener from Nagaland in Arts, Shafi Shauq from Jammu and Kashmir in Literature and Education, Shrirang Devaba Lad from Maharastra in Agriculture, Simanchal Patro from Odisha in Arts, Suresh Hanagavadi from Karnataka in Medicine, Taga Ram Bheel Rajasthan in Arts, Techi Gubin from Arunachal Pradesh in Social Work, Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam from Tamil Nadu in Arts, Vishwa Bandhu of Bihar in Arts, Yumnam Jatra Singh from Manipur in Arts, Mangala Kapoor from Uttar Pradesh, Asok Kumar Haldar from West Bengal, Gambir Singh Yonzone from West Bengal, Hari Madhab Mukhopadhyay from West Bengal, Jyotish Debnath from West Bengal, Mahendra Nath Roy from West Bengal, Tripti Mukherjee from West Bengal.
Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field.
The Padma Awards are announced annually on the occasion of Republic Day and are presented by the President of India at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
President Approves Gallantry awards to 70 Armed Forces Personnel
President Droupadi Murmu has approved Gallantry awards to 70 Armed Forces personnel, including six posthumous, on the eve of the 77th Republic Day. The awards include one Ashok Chakra, three Kirti Chakras, 13 Shaurya Chakras (including one posthumous), one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry, including five posthumous), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). Additionally, military decorations have been cleared for 301 personnel.
Ashok Chakra:
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Air Force (Flying – Pilot)
Kirti Chakra Recipients:
Major Arshdeep Singh, ARMD, 1 Assam Rif, Army
Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba, 2 Para (SF), Army
Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Air Force (Flying – Pilot)
Shaurya Chakra Recipients:
Lt Col Ghatage Aditya Shrikumar, 21 Para (SF), Army
Major Anshul Baltoo, JAK LI, 32 Assam Rif, Army
Major Shivkant Yadav, 5 Para (SF), Army
Major Vivek, Mech Inf, 42 RR, Army
Major Leishangthem Deepak Singh, 11 Para (SF), Army
Captain Yogender Singh Thakur, 6 Para (SF), Army
Subedar P H Moses, 1 Assam Rif, Army
L/DFR Baldev Chand, ARMD, 4 RR, Army (Posthumous)
Rifleman Manglem Sang Vaiphei, 3 Assam Rif, Army
Rifleman Dhurba Jyoti Dutta, 33 Assam Rif, Army
Lt Commander Dilna K, Navy
Lt Commander Roopa A, Navy
Assistant Commandant Vipin Wilson, MHA
Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry):
L/Hav Satya Pal Singh, SM, 6 Rajput, Army
Read the Entire list
President Approves Distinguished Awards to ICG Personnel
President Droupadi Murmu has approved distinguished awards to outstanding personnel of the Indian Coast Guard on the eve of the 77th Republic Day. The recipients of the awards are as follows:
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
ADG Donny Michael, PTM, TM
Vishisht Seva Medal
DIG KS Sitaram
President’s Tatrakshak Medal (Distinguished Service)
IG Iqbal Singh Chauhan, TM
IG Datwinder Singh Saini, TM
Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak
P/Nvk(ME) Saumyaranjan Behera
Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry) - Posthumous
Late Comdt Rakesh Kumar Rana
Late Comdt (JG) Vipin Babu
Late P/Nvk(RP) Karan Singh
Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry)
Comdt (JG) Shailendra Singh Bisht
P/Nvk(RP) Gautam Yadav
P/Nvk(RP) Banti Kumar
Tatrakshak Medal (Meritorious Service)
DIG Vinod Kumar Parmar
DIG Arun Kumar Bhardwaj
DIG Sudhakar Patil
Comdt Indu P
P/Adh(RO) Tapas Kumar Banerjee
President Approves 98 Mentioned-in-Despatches to Armed Forces & BRDB Personnel
President Droupadi Murmu has approved 98 Mentioned-in-Despatches to the Armed Forces personnel, including five posthumous, on the eve of 77th Republic Day.
These include 81 from the Indian Army - 17 for Operation Rakshak; 11 for Operation Snow Leopard; 11 for Operation Hifazat; five for Operation Orchid; two for Operation Meghdoot; one for Operation Rhino; two for Operation Sindoor; three for Rescue Operation; four for Operation Casualty Evacuation; one for Operation Soffain; 24 for Miscellaneous Operations, including three posthumous; 15 for the Indian Navy; and two for Border Roads Development Board personnel (posthumous).
Read the Entire List
President Murmu Honours 30 Individuals with Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards
President Droupadi Murmu has approved the conferment of the Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2025 on 30 persons. This includes the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak to six persons, the Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak to six persons, and the Jeevan Raksha Padak to 18 persons. Six of the awardees are being honoured posthumously. Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards is given to individuals for meritorious acts of human nature in saving the life of a person.
The awards are given in three categories, namely, Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak and Jeevan Raksha Padak. Persons of all walks of life are eligible for these awards. The award can also be conferred posthumously.
416 IAF Personnel Awarded Honorary Ranks on Republic Day 2026
A total of 416 Indian Air Force personnel have been awarded Honorary Ranks on the occasion of Republic Day 2026.
List of Hony Flight Lieutant Rank (Total 81)
List of Hony Flying Officer (Total 328)
List of Hony Flying Officer on retirement (Total 07)
982 Personnel of Police, Fire, Home Guard, Civil Defence, Correctional Services Awarded Gallantry/Service Medals
The total of 982 Personnel of Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence, and Correctional Services have been awarded Gallantry and Service Medals on the occasion of the Republic Day, 2026.
Click to View Medals for Gallantry (GM)- 125
Click to View President’s Medals for Distinguished Service (PSM)- 101
Click to View Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM)- 756
33 Delhi Police Officers Conferred Medals on Republic Day 2026
On the occasion of Republic Day 2026, 33 officers and personnel of the Delhi Police were conferred medals in recognition of their exemplary service.
The awards include 14 Medals for Gallantry, 2 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service, and 17 Medals for Meritorious Service, honoring acts of bravery, dedication, and distinguished contributions to policing.
Jaishankar Meets EU Leaders Ahead of Republic Day
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar on Sunday called on the President of the European Council, Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in New Delhi.
In a social media post on X, Dr Jaishankar expressed confidence that the upcoming discussions of the two leaders with Prime Minister Narendra Modi would herald a new chapter in India–European Union relations.
Dr S. Jaishankar also met the European Commission and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
In a post on X, the Minister wrote: “A wide-ranging and productive conversation with EU HRVP Kaja Kallas. Reflected the growing comfort and strong convergences of the India-European Union partnership. Agreed on intensifying our exchanges and taking forward our cooperative agenda.”
The leaders are on a state visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They will be the Chief Guests for the 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path on Monday.
Ministry of Tourism Organises Bharat Parv from Jan 26–31
The Ministry of Tourism is organising Bharat Parv 2026, a six-day national cultural and tourism festival, from 26th to 31st January 2026 at the Lawns and Gyan Path in front of the Red Fort, New Delhi, as part of the Republic Day celebrations.
The festival will be inaugurated by Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture.
Bharat Parv is the Ministry’s flagship annual event that celebrates India’s rich cultural, artistic, culinary, and spiritual heritage, while promoting the national initiatives “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” and “Dekho Apna Desh.” Over the years, it has evolved into a major platform showcasing India’s unity in diversity and tourism potential.
The festival aims to highlight India’s diverse cultural heritage, encourage domestic tourism, provide a platform for artisans and States/UTs, promote tourism awareness, and strengthen national integration through cultural participation.
Major Attractions of Bharat Parv 2026 Include:
* Display of 41 Republic Day Tableaux
* 48 Cultural performances by State/UT troupes, North Zonal Cultural Centre, Sangeet Natak Akademi, and popular artists
* 22 Performances by Armed Forces and Paramilitary Bands
* A grand food court with 60 stalls showcasing cuisines from across India and live cooking demonstrations
* 102 stalls of handicrafts and handlooms by States, Central Ministries, DC Handicrafts, DC Handlooms, and TRIFED
* 34 State Tourism Pavilions and 24 Central Ministry stalls
* Interactive activity zones, including nukkad nataks, quizzes, children’s engagement areas, and experiential spaces
The event will see participation from States and Union Territories, over 25 Central Ministries and Departments, and leading institutions and organisations from across the country.
Bharat Parv 2026 will be open to the public from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM on 26 January, and from 12 Noon to 9:00 PM from 27 to 31 January 2026. Entry is free.
This year’s festival holds special significance as it marks 150 years of “Vande Mataram”, the iconic song that inspired India’s freedom movement and symbolises unity, cultural pride, and love for the motherland. The theme reflects the constitutional spirit of unity in diversity and people’s participation.
Bharat Parv 2026 is expected to draw large public participation, serving as a vibrant celebration of India’s heritage, tourism potential, and democratic spirit.