New Delhi, Jan 20 (UNI) The Indian Navy will present a powerful blend of tradition, self-reliance and future readiness during the upcoming Republic Day Parade (RDP) 2026, with its marching contingent, tableau and band reflecting the Service’s vision of being a ‘Combat Ready, Cohesive and Aatmanirbhar Force, safeguarding the seas for a Viksit and Samriddha Bharat’, Contingent Commander Lt Karan Nagyal said on Tuesday.
Briefing the media ahead of the Navy’s Republic Day Parade press preview, Lt Nagyal said the RDP remains a grand spectacle of national unity, showcasing India’s cultural diversity, military prowess and technological advancements, with all participating elements demonstrating an unwavering commitment to national security.
The Indian Navy’s marching contingent this year will comprise 144 young personnel who will march shoulder to shoulder along the historic Kartavya Path, symbolising the Navy as a progressive and strong maritime force capable of defending India’s maritime interests.
Representing a ‘mini-India’, the contingent includes sailors from different States and union Territories, with an average age of 25 years. Carefully selected from across all branches of the Navy, the personnel have undergone over two months of specialised training to withstand the rigours of the parade. The contingent will be led by Lt Karan Nagyal, with Lt Pawan Kumar Gandi, Lt Priti Kumari and Lt Varun Dreveriya serving as Platoon Commanders.
The Indian Navy’s tableau for 2026 will vividly depict the theme of a ‘Strong Navy for a Strong Nation’, highlighting the Service’s multi-dimensional capabilities and its resolve to safeguard maritime interests anytime, anywhere and anyhow.
The tableau traces India’s rich maritime heritage to its modern, indigenous combat strength. It features a stitched ship dating back to the 5th century CE, now named INSV Kaundinya, Maratha Navy ‘Gurab’ class ships, and frontline indigenous assets including aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, P-17A Nilgiri-class stealth frigates INS Himgiri and INS Udayagiri, a Kalvari-class submarine and the GSAT-7R (Project Rohini) communication satellite.
The tableau will also showcase the circumnavigation route followed by the crew of INSV Tarini during the Navika Sagar Parikrama-II expedition. The tableau has been conceived and designed by Cdr Zubair Siddiqui and Lt Lekshmi K Ravi of the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.
Adding a special dimension, young girl cadets from the Sea Cadet Corps (SCC), a non-governmental organisation imparting basic nautical skills to youth in Mumbai, will march alongside the tableau, marking their return to the Republic Day Parade after several decades.
Complementing the visual grandeur, the Indian Navy band comprising 80 musicians will be led by Master Chief Petty Officer Musician First Class M Antony Raj. At the Beating Retreat ceremony on January 29, the band will perform a range of soul-stirring and foot-tapping compositions, accompanied by intricate formations. Notably, the band includes six women Agniveer musicians.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Admiral Praveen Nair, Controller Personnel Services, said the Navy’s participation is not merely a display of military might, but a reflection of its resolve to safeguard India’s maritime interests through Aatmanirbharta.
He said the tableau, themed ‘Anchored in Tradition, Sailing into Self-Reliance and Innovation’, draws inspiration from the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Samudra Se Samriddhi’ and portrays India as an Aatmanirbhar maritime power that is global, progressive and future-ready.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Defence spokesperson Vijay Kumar said the Republic Day Parade is a national endeavour built on joint planning, close coordination and seamless integration among the three Services and other defence organisations. Emphasising jointness as central to India’s defence posture, he said the parade demonstrates readiness, professionalism and unity of purpose, in line with the Government’s vision of integrated, agile and modern armed forces prepared for future challenges.
