Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: Relive the iconic R-Day parade at Rajpath

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: The first FlyPast consisting of the Rudra Formation comprising a Dakota aircraft flanked by two Mi-17 IV helicopters flying in ‘Vic’ formation. 

Dakotas were instrumental in airlifting troops into Kashmir Valley to repel invaders from across border in 1947. They played a significant role in Tangail airdrop leading to Bangladesh's libeartion

One Rafale with 2 Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft & 2 MiG-29 Air Superiority Fighters, in 'Eklavya’ formation are the next to fly past, at a height of 300m & speed of 780 Km/h. The formation is led by Gp Capt Rohit Kataria, Flight Commander of 17 Squadron.  

The ‘Trinetra’ formation comprising of three Su-30MKIs - the three aircraft split outwards and upwards, forming a ‘Trishul in the Sky’. The formation is led by Gp Capt AK Misra. Commanding Officer of 15 Squadron with Sqn Ldr RC Kulkarni.

Republic Day parade culminates with a single Rafale aircraft flying at a speed of 900km/hr carrying out a ‘Vertical Charlie’. The aircraft is piloted by Gp Capt Harkirat Singh, Shaurya Chakra, Commanding Officer of 17 Squadron with Sqn Ldr Kislaykant.

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: Tricolour on the sky

Garuda formation comprising of one C-17 Globemaster with two MiG-29s & two Su-30 MKI aircraft in ‘Vic’ formation

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: Police use tear gas on farmers who have arrived at Delhi's Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar from Singhu border

CRPF tableau on display at Republic Day parade

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: Tableaus of Ministries on display

Sikkim tableau on display at Republic Day parade

Karnataka tableau on display at Republic Day parade

Delhi tableau on display at Republic Day parade

Republic Day LIVE updates 2021: Arunachal Pradesh tableau on display at Republic Day parade

Republic Day LIVE updates 2021: Tripura tableau on display at Republic Day parade showcasing Ram Temple in Ayodhya 

Republic Day LIVE updates 2021: Punjab tableau on display at Republic Day parade

Tripura  tableau on display at Republic Day parade

Republic Day LIVE updates 2021: Chhattisgarh tableau on display at Republic Day parade

Republic Day LIVE updates 2021: Tamil Nadu tableau in display at Republic Day parade

Ladakh tableau in display at Republic Day parade

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: National Security Guard (NSG) marching contingent at Rajpath

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: BSF Camel contingent, known as 'Ships of Desert'. They are dressed with 75 different items. 

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: Delhi police marching contingent has won the title for best contingent 14 times. It has been part of R-Day contingent since India became Republic in 1950

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: Indian Naval forces tableau showcases the role of Naval forces in 1965 war

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: Diamond formation by Dhruv and Rudra helicopter

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: Air Force band playing at R-Day parade

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: Naval contingent marching at Rajghat 

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: Indian Navy's tableau showcases models of Indian naval ship (INS) Vikrant and naval operations that were conducted during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: Display of mobile autonomous launcher of the Brahmos missile system at R-Day parade

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates:  President Ram Nath Kovind to arrive at Rajpath

The grand finale and the most keenly awaited segment of the parade, the FlyPast, will consist of the Rudra Formation comprising a Dakota aircraft flanked by two Mi-17 IV helicopters flying in ‘Vic’ formation, followed by the Sudarshan formation consisting of one Chinook and two Mi-17 IV Helicopters in ‘Vic’ formation. Rakshak attack helicopter formation consisting of one Mi-35 helicopter and four Apache helicopters in ‘Vic’ formation will come next. Bhim formation comprising of three C-130J aircraft in ‘Vic’ formation will then rule the sky. Behind Bhim formation will be Netra, the ‘Eye in the Sky’. It is an indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft with state of art Early Warning radar and a host of advanced Electronic Warfare equipment, all indigenously designed and developed by DRDO. It will be followed by Garuda formation comprising of one C-17 Globemaster with two MiG-29s & two Su-30 MKI aircraft in ‘Vic’ formation. The C-17 is a heavy lift; long range strategic airlift aircraft. Induction of C-17 aircraft has changed the dynamics of strategic mobility and reach of the Air Force.
 

One Rafale with two Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft and two MiG-29 Air Superiority Fighters
The next formation will be one of the awaited attractions of the event, one Rafale with two Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft and two MiG-29 Air Superiority Fighters in ‘Vic’ formation at the height of 300 metre and a speed of 780 kilometre per hour. It will be followed by the Trinetra formation comprising of three Su-30MKIs and the penultimate formation will be Vijay comprising of three Advance Light Helicopters which are part of the acclaimed Sarang Display Team of the IAF.
 

The penultimate culmination of the parade will be a single Rafale aircraft flying at a speed of 900 kilometre per hour carrying out a ‘Vertical Charlie’. The aircraft will be piloted by Group Captain Harkirat Singh, Shaurya Chakra, Commanding Officer of 17 Squadron with Squadron Leader Kislaykant. The craft will go up vertically carrying out a series of rolls and giving a befitting salute to the motto of the Indian Air Force ‘Nabha Sparshan Deeptam’.

The first domestic contingent in the uniform of the erstwhile Gwalior Lancers will be 61 Cavalry led by Captain Deepanshu Sheoran. The 61 Cavalry is the only active serving horse cavalry regiment in the world. It was raised on August 01, 1953 with the amalgamation of six state forces’ cavalry units.

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced a list of 119 personalities who will be conferred the Padma Awards by President Ram Nath Kovind this year. These awards cater to various disciplines including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports and civil service. While 'Padma Shri' is awarded for distinguished service in any field, 'Padma Bhushan' is awarded for distinguished service of high order. On the other hand, 'Padma Vibhushan' is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawans marching with the national flag on a frozen water body in Ladakh on #RepublicDay 

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh greets the nation on 72nd Republic Day

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: Rahul Gandhi extends wishes 

Republic Day 2021 LIVE Updates: UK PM Boris Johnson - who was to be the chief guest of the event - greets India on 72nd year of India's Republic Day. He cancelled his visit due to increasing cases of new Coronavirus strain in UK. 

In his video message to celebrate the birth of an “extraordinary Constitution” that established India “as the biggest sovereign democracy in the world”, the UK PM reiterated his plan to visit India in the coming months. “I was hugely looking forward to joining you for this important occasion at the kind invitation of my friend Prime Minister Modi, alas our common struggle against COVID has kept me in London,” said Johnson.
 

“As I speak, our two countries are working side by side to develop, produce and distribute vaccines that will help to free humanity from the pandemic. And thanks to the combined efforts of Britain, India and many other nations, we are on the road to success against COVID. So, I look forward to visiting India later this year, strengthening our friendship, and striving for the quantum leap in our relationship that Prime Minister Modi and I have both pledged to achieve,” he said.

Addressing the Indian diaspora in the UK, he added,“All over the world, this virus is compelling people to stay apart, including family and friends in Britain and India, who form what Prime Minister Modi has called the “living bridge” between us. “But for now, let me wish everyone in India as well as those celebrating here in Britain, a very happy Republic Day,” the British prime minister said. 

• Rafale fighter jets will take part in the Republic Day flypast for the first time.

• The Indian Army will showcase the main battle tank T-90 Bhishma, infantry combat vehicle BMP-II-Sarath, mobile autonomous launcher of the Brahmos missile system, multi-launcher rocket system Pinaka, electronic warfare system Samvijay among others.

• As India is currently celebrating the Swarnim Vijay Varsh - Golden Jubilee year - commemorating the country's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh, a 122-member proud contingent of the Bangladesh armed forces will also march on Rajpath. The Defence Ministry statement said that Bangladesh contingent will carry the legacy of legendary Muktijoddhas of Bangladesh, who fought against oppression and mass atrocities and liberated Bangladesh in 1971.

• A total of 38 IAF aircraft, include Rafale, and four planes of the Indian Army will participate in the flypast.

• The Indian Navy's tableau at the Republic Day parade this year will showcase models of Indian naval ship (INS) Vikrant and naval operations that were conducted during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) will showcase models of light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas and indigenously developed anti-tank guided missile Dhruvastra on its tableaus during the parade. They will also showcase scaled-down models of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet and Rohini radar on the tableaus.

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will have two tableaus at this year's parade, one showcasing light combat aircraft Tejas' successful take off from aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya in 2020, and another displaying full complement of the anti-tank guided missile systems.

The Delhi Police mandated that a maximum of 5000 persons with 5000 tractors can participate in the tractor rally on Republic Day from noon to 5 pm. Earlier, the police permitted farmers to take out the tractor rally on three routes emanating from the Singhu border, the Tikri border and the Ghazipur border covering 62 km, 60 km and 46 km respectively. Darshan Pal, Rajinder Singh, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Buta Singh Burjgil and Joginder Singh Ugraha have been asked to coordinate with the police during the rally. 

• The organizers shall take necessary permission from various agencies including the Delhi Fire Service and carry their original copy to show them to any police officer on demand

• The organizers should make arrangements for drinking water, first aid, and firefighting equipment on the route of the rally

• The organizers should ensure the deployment of 2500 volunteers on the route of the rally

• There should be no obstruction to the other road users and no replacement of tractors will be allowed

• The organizers should ensure that the traffic marshals are deployed on all stretches to assist the traffic police

• The organizers should ensure that emergency vehicles, police vehicles, and movement of essential goods and services are given passage on priority

• No violation of traffic or any other laws should take place during the rally

• Guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic should be followed

• Metal rods cannot be used for flags or banners. The dimensions of flags shall be 9 feet by 6 feet or smaller

• Any participant in the rally should not display any objectionable flag, banner, or poster

• The organizer should ensure that no participant of the rally shall act in any manner prejudicial to the security of the state, not cause any damage to public property and not assault any government servant on duty

• No loudspeaker or public address system will be used during the rally without specific permission from the competent authority of the concerned district

• The organizers should ensure that the participants shall not consume any intoxicating substance or drugs

• No trolleys, bullock carts, cycle rickshaws, hand-driven carts, and animals should not be brought to the rally

• Permission for the rally can be withdrawn if the participants indulge in disorderly or violent behaviour

• No firecrackers or combustible material shall be used during the rally

• No weapons such as firearms, swords, spears, and lathis shall be carried

• Permission for the rally will be deemed invalid owing to VIP/VVIP movement or any other emergency

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way of life and this year's Republic Day parade will witness the same. Here  are some of the major changes: 

• Every year, the parade covers a distance of 8.5 KM but the Republic Day 2021 parade will only march for a distance of 3.5 KM, in order to cater to the social distancing norms.

• The number of individuals in each continent is cut short with 96 members in place of 144 members and the size of the contingents has been reformulated to 12×8 in place of usual 12×12 rows and columns. 

• The spectators will also be seated according to the social distancing protocols and will be wearing masks at all times. The spectator strength has also been cut down from 1,15000 to 25,000 this year.

• Children will not be allowed at Rajghat to witness the Republic Day parade, unlike every year.

Republic Day LIVE updates

The 72nd Republic Day celebrations will begin at Rajpath shortly. With COVID norms and security arrangements at place, this year's Republic Day will be celebrated parallel to the Tractor march by farmers protesting the three farm laws. This is the fourth time that there is no chief guest for the Republic Day parade as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson cancelled his visit due to increasing cases of the new strain of Coronavirus in the UK. Earlier, India did not have a chief guest on Republic Day in the years - 1952, 1953 and 1966.
 

On the eve of Republic Day, President Ram Nath Kovind addresses the nation and hailed the efforts of scientists, Indian Forces and urged the citizens to follow COVID protocol even as the vaccination drive is ongoing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive at the Rajpath at around 9.30 AM to hoist the Tricolour. Prior to that, the Prime Minister will visit the National War Memorial which houses the names of soldiers who laid down their lives for the country post-independence and will pay respect.
 

This year's Republic day parade will witness 32 tableaux — 17 from states and UTs, nine from ministries and six from the defence arm, including of IAF, Navy, Indian Naval Coast Guard, two from the DRDO and one from BRO (Border Roads Organisation). The National Flag will be unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute. During the celebration at Rajpath, India's military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress will be displayed.