Republic Day Parade: As it happened

Light rains and overcast skies failed to dampen the enthusiasm of thousands of spectators who witnessed the nearly one-and-half-hour-long parade that marched down the majestic Rajpath.

New Delhi: India's military might and rich cultural diversity were on full display during the dazzling 68th Republic Day celebrations in the national capital which had Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the Chief Guest. A major highlight of the parade was 149-member marching contingent from UAE comprising personnel from Presidential Guards, the Air Force, the Navy and Army. They were led by a band comprising 35 musicians from that country. For the first time, a contingent of the National Security Guard, popularly known as the Black Cat Commandos, was part of the march past.

26 January 2017

11:35 IST

Republic Day parade concludes.

11:34 IST

The National Anthem is being played. Celebrations at the Rajpath are drawing to a close.

11:32 IST

Despite overcast conditions, three fighter jets flew at a height of 300 metres from ground at a speed of 780 km per hour in ‘VIC' formation, leaving the spectators at Rajpath boulevard in awe.

11:29 IST

India`s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and Airborne Early Warning and Control System developed indigenously made their maiden appearance at the Republic Day parade. 

11:28 IST

The Indian Air Force displays its skill in flypast over Rajpath. Aircraft Tejas makes its debut.

11:20 IST

The amazing Motor Cycle Display by “Shwet Ashwa” Team of the Corps of Military Police.

11:20 IST

Splendid driving skills of ‘Dare Devils’- the motorcycle display team of Corps of Military Police.

11:17 IST

Students of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pitampura, express how National Flag has been a witness of glorious tales of nation building.

11:06 IST

National Bravery Awards winners - 25 children (12 girls and 13 boys) - march in Republic Day parade.

11:05 IST

Dynamic, vibrant and charismatic students of Mount Abu Public School, Rohini present Assamese dance style ‘Sattriya’.

11:02 IST

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Tableau is at Rajpath.

11:01 IST

Girl students of Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Chirag Delhi, perform at Rajpath.

11:00 IST

Saila dance performance by 165 students drawn from South Central Zone Cultural Zone.

11:00 IST

Tableau of Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is at Republic Day parade.

10:59 IST

Assam Tableau passes through the Rajpath.

10:58 IST

Jammu and Kashmir Tableau is here. The theme is 'Winter Sports at Gulmarg'.

10:57 IST

Hojagiri, a folk dance performed by the Reang people, is the theme of Tripura tableau.

10:56 IST

Musical Heritage of Goa exhibited at a tableau.

10:54 IST

Punjab Tableau is on display.

10:53 IST

The theme of Tamil Nadu Tableau is 'Karakattam', a popular folk dance.

10:52 IST

'Sharad Utsav' at West Bengal Tableau.

10:51 IST

Tableau of Gujarat passes through the Rajpath on 68th Republic Day Parade.

10:50 IST

Karnataka Tableau is being displayed.

10:49 IST

Manipur Tableau passes through the Rajpath on 68th Republic Day Parade.

10:47 IST

Lakshadweep Tableau at Republic Day parade.

Lakshadweep Tableau at #RepublicDay parade pic.twitter.com/wL68gX66dc

— MIB India (@MIB_India) January 26, 2017

10:46 IST

'The Art and Lifestyle of Kutch' is being presented at a tableau of Gujarat.

10:45 IST

Maharashtra Tableau at #RepublicDay parade pic.twitter.com/DFceQExxYx

— MIB India (@MIB_India) January 26, 2017

10:44 IST

Arunachal Pradesh Tableau passes through the Rajpath.

10:42 IST

Yak Dance of Arunachal Pradesh is being presented at a tableau.

10:41 IST

The Odisha tableau is at Republic Day parade.

Odisha Tableau at #RepublicDay parade pic.twitter.com/KAwzTMacjR

— MIB India (@MIB_India) January 26, 2017

10:40 IST

Contingent Commander Ms Osin Mosu of Union Christian College, Meghalaya, is leading NSS marching contingent comprising 160 volunteers.

10:39 IST

Senior Division NCC Girls Marching Contingent led by Senior Under Officer Aishwarya is here.

10:38 IST

Band of Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, Pilani, led by Senior Under Officer Toshani Singh, Under Officer Gowri Aggarwal and Sergeant Samriddhi is here.

10:37 IST

Contingent of National Security Guard (NSG), popularly known as the Black Cat Commandoes, is marching at Rajpath. 

10:36 IST

Sub Inspector Jagjit Singh leads the Delhi Police, playing the ‘Delhi Police’ song.

10:35 IST

Assistant Sub-Inspector Karan Singh is leading the Central Industrial Security Force Band consisting of 84 personnel.

10:33 IST

CRPF marching contingent passes through the Rajpath.

10:32 IST

Indian Coast Guard Marching Contingent led by Arvind Kumar Pandey is marching in the Republic Day parade.

10:31 IST

Playing 'Hum hain seema suraksha bal`, contingent of Sashastra Seema Bal wows at Republic Day parade.

10:30 IST

Madras Engineering Group & Centre led by Captain Priyanshu Dhama from 38 Assault Engineer Regiment.

10:28 IST

Contingent of the Indian Navy Tableau is parading at Republic Day Parade.

10:27 IST

The captivating tune of ‘Jai Bharati’ played by the Brass Band of the Indian Navy consisting led by Ramesh Chand Katoch.

10:26 IST

The 103 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Sikh Light Infantry led by Major Gurpal Singh Dhanju is at Republic Day parade.

10:23 IST

Here is smartly marching contingent of Madras Engineering Group & Centre led by Captain Priyanshu Dhama.

10:20 IST

Contingent of Gallant Gorkhas of the 5 Gorkha Rifles of 58 Gorkha Training Centre led by Lieutenant Raushan Kumar Yadav

10:17 IST

Here is Akash Weapon System of 27 Air Defence (Missile) Regiment led by Captain Anendra Bansal and Lieutenant Garima.

10:16 IST

The CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle of the CBRN Company of 475 Engineer Brigade led by Major PK Morolia is here.

10:15 IST

Mobile Autonomous Launcher of the BrahMos Missile System is being led by Captain Sunith Lopes.

10:14 IST

Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP-2K is here.

10:12 IST

The Indian Army's missile firing capability T-90 'Bhishma' tank is being displayed.

10:11 IST

First contingent is of 61 Cavalry led by Captain Pritam Mishra. This is only serving active Horse Cavalry Regiment in the world. 

10:10 IST

The United Arab Emirates' contingent present a ceremonial salute to President Pranab Mukherjee. The contingent comprises of the UAE Presidential Guard, the Air Force, the Navy, the Army and 35 musicians. Leading it is Lt Col Abood Musabeh Abood Musabeh Alghfeli. 

10:09 IST

A 149-member UAE military contingent participates in India's Republic Day parade, with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan watching as the Chief Guest.

10:08 IST

Republic Day 2017 Parade is commanded by Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane, Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area.

10:07 IST

First formation on Rajpath: Four Mi-17 helicopters in inverted Y formation, carrying national flag and ensigns of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force.

10:04 IST

Havildar Hangpan Dada awarded Ashok Chakra posthumously. Chasen Lowang receives the award from President Pranab Mukherjee on Rajpath. Dada martyred while combating terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir on May 27, 2016. 

#RepublicDay 2017: Gallantry Awards- Ashoka Chakra https://t.co/sde5JnBVVn pic.twitter.com/Dt8ui5Cozv

— MIB India (@MIB_India) January 26, 2017

10:02 IST

The National Anthem was played followed by a 21 gun salute.

10:00 IST

President Pranab Mukherjee unfurls the Tricolour at Rajpath. 

09:57 IST

President Pranab Mukherjee and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Chief Guest of the Republic Day, arrive at Rajpath. PM Modi greets them.

09:54 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Vice-President Hamid Ansari as he arrives at Rajpath.

09:50 IST

PM Narendra Modi arrives at Rajpath.

09:40 IST

Watch LIVE: Republic Day 2017 parade

09:39 IST

PM Narendra Modi pays homage to martyrs by laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate. He was accompanied by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa and Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba. After laying the wreath, Modi observed a two-minute silence to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers.

09:38 IST

Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince leaves for Rajpath along with President Pranab Mukherjee.

09:30 IST

Nearly 60,000 security personnel drawn from Delhi Police and Central security forces have been deployed in Central Delhi. Police are also using counter-drone technology to thwart any attack or identify any suspicious flying object.

09:20 IST

There were intelligence inputs that terror groups may try to carry out attacks. The Delhi Police was sent a special advisory informing them that terror groups might use animals to target crowded areas like important installations, railway stations, etc to create a panic.

09:10 IST

The national capital was today wrapped in an unprecedented security cover with thousands of security force personnel keeping a hawk-eye vigil to ward off any terror strike or untoward incident during the 68th Republic Day celebrations.

09:05 IST

India 's 68th Republic Day: Here's what all to look out for this year's parade

09:00 IST

Search giant Google in its special doodle to mark the Republic Day, today showed a stadium full of people amid a sea of tricolour decking up the arena. The doodle displays one-half of the stadium, with crowd on two corners, while a saffron-coloured band runs along the inner periphery of the semicircular track.

08:57 IST

Led by Wing Commander Ramesh Kumar Dubey, the parade will start with four Mi-17 helicopters, flying an Indian flag and three other helicopters flying ensigns of the Army, Navy and the Air Force, will shower flower petals.

08:55 IST

The 68th Republic Day Parade will showcase India's military strength and achievements in a range of areas and its diverse culture on the ceremonial boulevard today.

08:55 IST

Congress president Sonia Gandhi greets the people on the occasion of Republic Day and urges them to fight those forces who undermine the Republic. In a message, Gandhi paid her "respect to freedom fighters and founding fathers of the Republic and to those great men and women who drafted our Constitution".

08:30 IST

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the guest of honour.

08:15 IST

There will be a spectacle of the country's military might and cultural prowess on Rajpath today.

08:01 IST

गणतंत्र दिवस की सभी देशवासियों को बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं। #RepublicDay greetings to everyone.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2017

08:00 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended his greetings to the people on the occasion of the 68th Republic Day.