Republic Day Parade 2026: Indian Navy, Delhi Police Emerge Top Performers
Maharashtra tops State tableaux; Ministry of Culture, Assam Regiment and CRPF shine across jury and popular choice categories
India, Jan 29 : The Indian Navy and Delhi Police emerged as standout performers at the 77th Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path, securing top honours in the Best Marching Contingent categories, the Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday.
Led by Lieutenant Karan Nagyal, the 144-member Indian Navy contingent was declared the Best Marching Contingent among the three Armed Services. The Delhi Police contingent clinched the top award in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other auxiliary forces category.
The results were finalised by three separate panels of judges tasked with evaluating marching contingents and tableaux from States, Union Territories, and Central Ministries and Departments during Republic Day Parade 2026.
In the States and Union Territories tableaux category, Maharashtra secured first place for its theme “Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Aatmanirbharta.” Jammu and Kashmir followed in second position with its showcase of regional handicrafts and folk dances, while Kerala claimed third place for “Water Metro & 100% Digital Literacy: Aatmanirbhar Kerala for Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
Among Central Ministries and Departments, the Ministry of Culture won the Best Tableau award for “Vande Mataram The Soul Cry of a Nation.” Special jury prizes were conferred on the Central Public Works Department for “Vande Mataram Commemoration of 150 Years” and for the dance presentation “Vande Mataram: The Eternal Resonance of India.”
Results of the Popular Choice category, determined through an online MyGov poll, were also declared. The Assam Regiment was voted the Best Marching Contingent among the Services, while the CRPF topped the CAPFs and auxiliary forces segment.
In the Popular Choice tableaux from States and Union Territories, Gujarat secured first place with “Mantra of Swadeshi Self-Reliance Freedom: Vande Mataram,” followed by Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Department of School Education and Literacy won the Popular Choice award among Central Ministries for its tableau on “National Education Policy 2020: Rocketing Indian School Education on the Path to Viksit Bharat.”
