The parade, which will last about 90 minutes, will feature 18 marching contingents and 13 bands. The procession will also include an animal contingent including Zanskar ponies, two-humped camels, raptors (dragons) and army dogs.
However, an interesting highlight of this 77th Republic Day parade on January 26 is that many of the contingent commanders this year share a common thread – several members of their families have served in the armed forces, including fighting in wars.
Among them are the granddaughter of a 1965 war hero, the son of an army veteran and others, according to a PTI report.
Read also | Republic Day: European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen arrives in India
Meet the multi-generational officers leading the contingents this Republic Day:
Lt. Amit Choudhary
Lt Amit Choudhary, a second generation army officer, will lead the mixed scouts contingent in the Republic Day parade at the Kartavya trail.
This parade is a personal milestone for him as well as a nostalgic nod to his father, who was part of the 1990 parade.
“I always dreamed of being a part of the parade. As a boy, I used to watch the parade on TV and march in the room at our home,” he told PTI. “My father was in the Republic Day parade in 1990 and was part of the Brigade of Guards contingent.
Choudhary and his contingent members will be dressed in signature multi-layered suits complete with special boots and polarized sunglasses designed for high terrain and harsh weather.
Read also | Republic Day 2026: When and where to watch the parade on January 26? Control
Captain Samira Z Buttar
Captain Samira Z Buttar, head of the contingent representing the Integrated Operations Center, said she is a fourth-generation army officer. “I am a fourth generation army officer. My father, grandfather (Brig Sampuran Singh) and great grandfather all served in the army.”
She said she was both proud and humbled to receive the honor. “It is special to have the honor of walking the Kartavya Path as part of the procession,” she told PTI.
The young officer said that her grandfather had fought in the 1965 war and received two awards for bravery – ‘Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra’.
Captain Ahaan Kumar
Captain Ahaan Kumar, 26, the contingent leader of the iconic 61 Cavalry at the parade, is the grandson of a war veteran and the son of Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar, the Commander-in-Chief of the Delhi Area Command.
Mounted on his charger ‘Ranveer’, Ahaan will be the master of the procession. He and his Hanoverian stallion played the same role in the 2025 show.
“Last year we wore our ceremonial uniform and sword. This time we are seen in our battle gear, so it is also like a new experience in this show,” he told PTI.
Read also | Republic Day on a long weekend leads to an increase in travel and hotel bookings
Captain Harshita Raghav
Captain Harshita Raghav, who will lead the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) contingent, said her father served in the Indian Air Force.
A native of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Harshita is “among the first batch of women officers in the RVC”.
“These animals are only soldiers of the Indian Army. In fact, they are silent warriors,” she said of the RVC.
Captain Vikas Yadav
Captain Vikas Yadav, a third-generation army officer, will lead the contingent, which will include equipment such as unmanned ground vehicles. Serving in the 4th Battalion 1 Gurkha Rifles.
“These unmanned ground vehicles are used for surveillance and logistics purposes and can also navigate independently. They can carry targeted payloads and weapons and can be used for purposes such as breaching bunkers where there is a threat to human or animal life,” he said.
