India celebrates its 72nd Republic Day on January 26, 2021 with a shortened programme, scheduled to start at 9 am & conclude after the traditional fly past 11.25 am, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The parade will also have a shorter route, fewer spectators, no chief guest, no children under 15 in the annual parade & fewer soldiers in the Army & Navy contingents. However, the newly inducted Rafale fighter jet will be among the many stars on show, as will a Bangladeshi tri-service contingent that will lead the parade on the 50th anniversary of the 1971 India-Pakistan war. A total of 32 tableaus, 17 from states and UTs, six from the Defence Ministry and nine others, will take part. "Wishing all the people of India a Happy Republic Day. Jai Hind!," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on the morning of January 26, 2021.
