Republic Day marks the day the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950.
On this day, the President of India unfurls the National Flag and addresses the nation from New Delhi.
Republic Day signifies the transition of India from a British Dominion to a sovereign Republic, replacing the Government of India Act, 1935 as the supreme legal framework.
The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949 by the Constituent Assembly.
The Constitution of India came into force on 26 January 1950.
India celebrates 26 November as Constitution Day (Samvidhan Diwas) every year.
Some facts:
First Republic Day: Celebrated on 26 January 1950 with Dr. Rajendra Prasad sworn in as the first President of India.
Head of State Change: The President of India replaced the British Monarch as the ceremonial head of state.
Oath of Office: The President takes the oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of India.
Constituent Assembly: The Constitution was drafted by the Constituent Assembly of India over nearly three years (1946–1949).
Chief Architect: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar served as Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
Length of the Constitution: At adoption, it was the longest written constitution of any sovereign country.
Rajpath Renaming: The Republic Day parade is now held on Kartavya Path, formerly Rajpath.
Beating Retreat: Republic Day celebrations formally conclude on 29 January with the Beating Retreat ceremony.
State Representation: The parade showcases military strength along with cultural tableaux representing Indian states and union territories.
Foreign Chief Guest: A foreign head of state or government is traditionally invited as the Chief Guest, reflecting India’s diplomatic priorities.
Constitutional Supremacy: Republic Day emphasizes that political authority in India flows from the Constitution, not from Parliament or individuals.
The year-long celebration commemorating 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution began on Constitution Day 26 November 2024.
A dedicated website, constitution75.com, was created to enable citizens to engage with the Constitution’s legacy through interactive activities and resources.
The constitution75.com website allows citizens to record videos reading the Preamble of the Constitution in languages of their choice and download certificates.