Republic Day 2023: Chief Guest (1950-2023), Traffic Update, Parade Timing

Republic Day 2023 will be observed on January 26 as 74th republic day of India. Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is the chief guest of Republic Day celebrations in 2023.

The theme of Republic Day 2023 celebration is “Jan Bhagidari (participation of the common people)”. Republic Day is celebrated in India to commemorate the day the Indian Constitution came into force. The Constitution of India was signed on 26^th January 1950 and from that day onward, every year 26^th January is celebrated as Republic Day of India.

Celebrations are carried out on this day in form of parade, tableau and beating retreat ceremony which lasts for three days. This day is celebrated as national holiday in India and it marks the beginning of a new India that is a true democratic and republic country. In the year 2023, India will celebrate its 74th Republic Day. Let us know more about this day like Republic Day 2023 Celebration, Republic Day History, etc from this article.

Traffic Update: There will be certain traffic restrictions in Delhi from 25th January 2023 onward. Have a look at the latest traffic advisory released by Delhi Traffic Police:

74th Republic Day 2023 Highlights

Republic Day Parade 2023 Time	Starts at 10.30 AM
Parade Route	Vijay Chowk to Red Fort
Who will be the chief guest?	Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
Who are allowed in parade?	As per the guidelines.

Republic Day 2023 Ticket Booking

You can book your ticket in both online as well as offline mode to watch republic day celebration. Ticket bookings are open till January 24, 2023. It is possible to book up to 10 tickets from one device.

Online Portal to Book Ticket: https://www.aamantran.mod.gov.in/login

Offline mode: At booths and counters set up by the Ministry of Defence across the national capital. 

Here is the online process to book your republic day 2023 ticket:

Step 1: Visit the website-https://www.aamantran.mod.gov.in/login and click the link “Don’t have an Account?  Sign Up for Buying tickets”

Step 2: A sign up page would appear on the screen-

Enter details like your name, father’s or husband’s name, dob, mobile number and permanent address.

Step 3: In the next page, you need to choose the event- Republic Day Parade, FDR-Republic Day Parade, Rehearsal-Beating The Retreat, Beating The Retreat Ceremony, Beating The Retreat – FDR.

Step 4: Make payment and download your ticket.

Holiday on Republic Day

Republic Day is a gazetted holiday in India and all offices and institutions like banks, schools, colleges remain close on this day. Irrespective of the state or region of the country, Republic Day holiday is to be observed every year on 26^th of January.

Republic Day History

After India got its independence in 1947, a need was felt for the country to have its own constitution. A committee was set for drafting a permanent constitution, with Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar as its chairman. The committee prepared a draft constitution and submitted to the Constituent Assembly which adopted the Constitution.

After making some modifications, in the draft, the final constitution came into effect on 26th January 1950. On the very day, Dr. Rajendra Prasad began his first term of office as the President of India.

26 जनवरी,  जिस दिन लागू किया गया था भारत का संविधान;  आखिर इसी दिन को क्यों चुना गया था?

26 जनवरी  अर्थात गणतंत्र दिवस, जो कि भारत का एक काफी महत्वपूर्ण दिन होता है। इस दिन के विशेष होने का कारण यही है कि इस दिन भारत का संविधान लागू किया गया था। इस दिन से कुछ सवाल जुड़े हुए हैं कि आखिर इसी दिन भारत का संविधान लागू क्यों किया गया था;  तो आइए आपको इसके कुछ कारण बताते हैं।

जैसे कि सभी को पता है कि 15 अगस्त 1947 को भारत देश आजाद हो गया था। जिस समय देश आजाद हुआ था उस समय देश का कोई भी संविधान नहीं था इसलिए यह काफी महत्वपूर्ण था कि भारत के लिए एक संविधान तैयार किया जाए ताकि देश के सारे कानून उसी के अनुसार चलें।

संविधान लागू होने से पहले भारत की जितनी भी शासन व्यवस्था थी वह सारी अधिनियम 1935 पर आधारित थी; परंतु देश को एक ऐसी शासन व्यवस्था चाहिए थी जो कि वर्तमान स्थिति के अनुसार अनुकूल हो और सभी राज्य उसी व्यवस्था के अनुसार चल पाए। इसीलिए, 29 अगस्त, 1947 को डॉ बी आर अंबेडकर के नेतृत्व में एक कमेटी का गठन किया गया; विशेष रूप से  संविधान को लिखित रूप में अंजाम देने के लिए डॉक्टर बी आर अंबेडकर को सारी जिम्मेदारी सौंपी गई। 26 नवंबर, 1949 को लिखित संविधान भारत के राष्ट्रपति डॉ राजेंद्र प्रसाद को सौंप दिया गया। 26 जनवरी, 1949 के ही दिन लाहौर में कांग्रेस का अधिवेशन हुआ था और पहली बार भारत को पूर्ण गणराज्य के रूप में पेश करने का प्रस्ताव रथा गया था अर्थात भारतीय नेताओं ने अपना मत बदल कर पूरी तरह से स्वराज्य की मांग कर ली थी जबकि ब्रिटिश हुक्मरान ने इस प्रस्ताव को ठुकरा दिया था।

जैसे ही भारत को आजादी मिली एवं पाकिस्तान भारत से अलग हो गया; तभी 26 जनवरी 1950 के दिन भारतीय संविधान को लागू करके भारत को एक पूरी तरह से गणतंत्र जब राज्य के रूप में पेश कर दिया गया था अर्थात भारत का एक संविधान तैयार होने के पश्चात लागू कर दिया गया था, जो कि पूरे भारत में माननीय था।

Republic Day Celebration

Main celebration of Republic day is held in the national capital, New Delhi, where parades are carried out. The parade is followed by a march from several regiments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with their bands. After that, many state carries out their own procession showcasing the beauty of its culture and rich heritage. The celebration ends with beating retreat is conducted on the evening of 29 January, the third day after the Republic Day. Awards are also distributed to the best marching contingents and best three tableaux.

Parade- The parade starts from the gate of Rashtrapati Bhawan along the Rajpath, up to India Gate and from there to Red Fort. In addition to the Navy, and Air Force, around nine to twelve different regiments of the Indian Army with their bands take part in this parade. The President of India who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute from these regiments. The parade is carried out to showcase the Defence capability of the country.

Tableaux- Processions are carried out by different states whose proposals are selected by the Ministry of Defence. In tableaux, a group of models or motionless figures represents a scene from a history or any story related to a particular state. Selected states carry out processions that represent best their history, cultural heritage, environment and development.

Beating retreat- The Indian Beating Retreat ceremony marks the official ending of Republic Day celebration. It is carried out on the evening of the third day after Republic Day, i.e., on 29th January. Bands of the three wings of the military, the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force conducts the Beating Retreat. The President of India is the Chief Guest of the ceremony who gives the National Salute followed by playing of the Indian National Anthem.

Celebrations are also carried out at schools on Republic Day and children take part in plays and parades. Sweets and candies are distributed among the children and their classes are suspended for the day. Colleges, offices, banks, post offices, etc remain closed on Republic Day.

Check: Republic Day Wallpaper

Award Distribution Ceremony Republic Day

Every year on Republic Day, Padma Awards are given by the president of India to the selected civilians for their bravery and distinguished service. The awards are classified into three different categories in decreasing order of importance and are as follows:

1. Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award in India and is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service to the civilians.
2. Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in India and is awarded for distinguished service of a high order to the civilians.
3. Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in India and is awarded for distinguished service to the civilians.

All Chief Guests List (1950-2023) at the Republic Day Parade

Year	Chief Guest at Republic Day Parade
2023	Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
2022	No chief guest
2021	UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson (his visit was cancelled due to covid)
2020	Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro
2019	South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa
2018	Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Brunei   Joko Widodo, Indonesia Thongloun Sisoulith, Laos Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodia Najib Razak, Malaysia President Htin Kyaw, Myanmar Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Philippines Halimah Yacob, Singapore Prayuth Chan-ocha, Thailand Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, Vietnam
2017	United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed
2016	France President François Hollande
2015	US President Barack Obama
2014	Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
2013	King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
2012	Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
2011	Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
2010	Republic of Korea  President Lee Myung Bak
2009	Kazakhstan  President Nursultan Nazarbayev
2008	France President Nicolas Sarkozy
2007	Russia President Vladimir Putin
2006	Saudi Arabia King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud[
2005	Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuck
2004	Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
2003	Iran President Mohammed Khatami
2002	Mauritius President Cassam Uteem
2001	Algeria President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
2000	Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo
1999	Nepal King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev
1998	France President Jacques Chirac
1997	Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Basdeo Panday
1996	Brazil President Dr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso
1995	South Africa President Nelson Mandela
1994	Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong
1993	United Kingdom Prime Minister John Major
1992	Portugal President Mário Soares
1991	Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
1990	Mauritius Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth
1989	Viet Nam General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh
1988	Sri Lanka President Junius Jayewardene
1987	Peru President Alan García
1986	Greece Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou
1985	Argentina President Raúl Alfonsín
1984	Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuck
1983	Nigeria President Shehu Shagari
1982	Spain King Juan Carlos I
1981	Mexico President José López Portillo
1980	France President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing
1979	Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser
1978	Ireland President Patrick Hillery
1977	Poland First Secretary Edward Gierek
1976	France Prime Minister Jacques Chirac
1975	Zambia President Kenneth Kaunda
1974	SFR Yugoslavia President Josip Broz Tito
	Sri Lanka Prime Minister Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike
1973	Zaire President Mobutu Sese Seko
1972	Mauritius Prime Minister Seewoosagur Ramgoolam
1971	Tanzania President Julius Nyerere
1970	Belgium King of the Belgians Baudouin
1969	Bulgaria Prime Minister of Bulgaria Todor Zhivkov
1968	USSR Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin
	SFR Yugoslavia President Josip Broz Tito
1967	Afghanistan King Mohammed Zahir Shah
1966	No invitation was sent
1965	Pakistan Food and Agriculture Minister Rana Abdul Hamid
1964	United Kingdom Chief of Defence Staff Lord Louis Mountbatten
1963	Cambodia King Norodom Sihanouk
1962	Denmark Prime Minister Viggo Kampmann
1961	United Kingdom Queen Elizabeth II
1960	USSR President Kliment Voroshilov
1959	United Kingdom Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip
1958	China Marshall Ye Jianying
1957	Soviet Union Minister of Defence Georgy Zhukov
1956	United Kingdom Chancellor of the Exchequer R. A. Butler   Japan Chief Justice Kotaro Tanaka
1955	Pakistan  Governor-General Malik Ghulam Muhammad
1954	Bhutan King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
1953	No invitation was sent
1952	No invitation was sent
1951	Nepal King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah
1950	Indonesia President Sukarno

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