Republic Day, Stories
 

Data: Indonesia’s President was the Chief Guest at Republic Day Parade for the Fourth Time Since 1950

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Since 1950, India has hosted 70 unique guests from 47 countries as Chief Guest at its annual Republic Day Parade. However, on 12 occasions, there was no Chief Guest. France has had the highest representation, with a dignitary being invited as the Chief Guest six times. Bhutan and Indonesia follow with four invitations each, while Brazil and Mauritius have had dignitaries invited three times each.

India celebrated its 76th Republic Day on 26 January 2025, marking a significant milestone in its democratic journey. This day honours the coming into force of the Indian Constitution in 1950, which established India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic. The celebrations are renowned for their grandeur. A series of events are organized by the Central Government in the national capital including flag hoisting, distribution of bravery awards, and the Republic Day Parade (RDP). Civilian awards such as Bharat Ratna, and Padma Awards are also announced on the eve of the Republic Day. Factly has previously published a detailed data story on Civilian Awards, which can be read here. An explainer of the events that take place on that day is also available.

Download datasets related to Republic Day Events and Awards from Dataful. The collection has comprehensive datasets on Padma Awards, Republic Day Guests, and Tableaux Themes.

India has a long-standing tradition of inviting Heads of State and other dignitaries from across the world as the Chief Guest for the annual Republic Day parade. Their presence underscores India’s diplomatic priorities and strengthens global ties. The parade also features vibrant tableaux from various states, ministries, and cultural organizations, highlighting the nation’s rich cultural diversity and achievements.

In this story, we delve into the historical trends of the foreign dignitaries who have attended the Republic Day celebrations as chief guests. We also examine the trends in tableaux featured in the parade.

India has hosted 70 distinct guests from 47 countries for Republic Day celebrations

The Chief Guest for the 2025 Republic Day parade was the President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto. This marks the fourth instance of an Indonesian President being invited to the Republic Day celebrations. Notably, the first-ever Chief Guest in 1950 was also the President of Indonesia, Sukarno. In 2018, India extended its invitation to leaders of the ASEAN countries as part of its Republic Day celebrations, with Indonesia’s President also being among the honoured guests.

Since 1950, India has hosted 70 unique guests from 47 countries. However, on 12 occasions, there was no Chief Guest. Five of these instances occurred in the 1950s (1952, 1953, 1956, 1957, and 1959), while another five occurred in the 1960s (1962, 1964, 1966, 1967, and 1970). Since 1971, the tradition of inviting a Chief Guest has continued uninterrupted, except for 2021 and 2022, when the celebrations were scaled back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

India invited guests from different parts of the world

The regional trends of Republic Day Chief Guests show how India’s diplomatic priorities have changed over time.  In the 1950s, only dignitaries from South and Southeast Asia were invited.

In the 1960s, India began inviting European dignitaries. Europe became the most represented region in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

Since the 1970s, at least one dignitary from Africa has been invited in every decade, reflecting India’s consistent focus on its ties with African nations. In the 2010s, the majority of Chief Guests were from Southeast Asia, with 14 dignitaries invited during the decade. This included 10 ASEAN leaders in 2018, as part of India’s ‘Act East Policy.

The Middle East was represented for the first time in 2003 when Iranian President Seyed Mohammad Khatami was invited. Since then, three dignitaries from the Middle East have been invited in the 2000s and 2010s.

Only 3 individuals were invited twice, Dignitaries from France invited six times

Out of the 64 occasions when a dignitary was invited as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day Parade, only three individuals have been invited twice. These include former French President Jacques Chirac, the 4th King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuk, and former Yugoslavian President Josip Tito.

In terms of countries, France has had the highest representation, with a dignitary being invited as the Chief Guest six times. Bhutan and Indonesia follow with four invitations each, while Brazil and Mauritius have had dignitaries invited three times each.

Dignitaries from Cambodia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, and the erstwhile Yugoslavia have each been invited on two occasions.

An average of 15 state tableaux are showcased in the Republic Day parade

According to the data on Republic Day tableaux, on average, 15 state tableaux have been part of the parade every year between 2005 and 2025. Additionally, 8 ministry tableaux have been showcased annually between 2015 and 2025. In 2025, a total of 16 state tableaux and 10 ministry tableaux were featured in the parade.

Between 2005 and 2025, Jammu and Kashmir’s tableau was featured in every Republic Day parade, except in 2021 and 2024. Interestingly, Ladakh’s tableau was showcased in both of those years. However, in 2025, neither Jammu and Kashmir nor Ladakh’s tableau was part of the parade. Karnataka’s tableau has been a consistent participant in every parade, except in 2007, 2009, and 2024. Both Jammu & Kashmir and Karnataka have had their tableaux featured 18 times each in the 21 years from 2005 to 2025.

Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra’s tableaux appeared 15 times each. Apart from these states, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Goa’s tableau appeared more than 10 times each.

Meanwhile, Nagaland’s tableaux appeared only once (2012) in these 21 years. Telangana’s appeared thrice since its formation in 2014. UTs of Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands showcased their tableaux only in two instances.

Central Public Works Department’s tableau was part of RDP 10 times in the last 11 years

Among Ministries and Departments, the tableau of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) was part of the parade 10 times in 11 years between 2015 and 2025. The Ministry of Culture’s tableau appeared five times and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ tableau appeared thrice. Among the remaining 51 Ministries/Departments, the tableaux of 17 Ministries/Departments appeared twice. These include that of the Election Commission of India, ICAR, Central Reserve Police Force, and the Ministries of AYUSH, Finance, External Affairs, and Home Affairs, among others. 34 Ministries & Departments including All India Radio, Indian Railways, Ministries of Power, Agriculture, Textiles, and Sports, and National Disaster Response Force appeared once in the last 11 years.

In the dataset, we have categorized the themes chosen by the tableaux in the final selected list into seven broad categories:

  • State Speciality: This category includes art forms and specialities unique to a state, such as Jammu and Kashmir’s Pashmina, Jharkhand’s Dhokra art, and Kerala’s Padayani folk dance.
  • History: This category features tableaux representing events and monuments related to the Indian independence movement and other significant historical events.
  • Culture & Heritage: Tableaux depicting temples, ancient culture, and architecture fall under this category.
  • Personalities: This includes tableaux related to historical figures and well-known individuals.
  • Festivals: Tableaux showcasing various festivals, like Prabhala Theertham of Andhra Pradesh and Onam of Kerala, are grouped here.
  • Environment: Tableaux highlighting flora, fauna, and environmental themes are categorized in this section.
  • Development Work: This category includes tableaux that showcase various government schemes and development initiatives.

Ministries tend to showcase development work related tableaux while states showcase culture and heritage

A total of 317 tableaux of states were showcased in the last 21 years between 2005 & 2025. Of these, the majority, about 28% were culture and heritage related. State specialities were depicted in about 26% of the tableaux. Festivals and Development works constituted 13% each. History, environment, and personalities were the broad theme categories in 6%,7%, and 8% of the tableaux, respectively.

Among the 86 tableaux showcased by ministries in the last decade, close to 80% depicted development work. 7% depicted personalities and 6% were environment related. About 3% depicted history.

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About Author

A bachelor’s degree in mathematics and master’s in social science, she is driven by ardent desire to work with this unique combination to create her own path instead of following the herd. Having served a stint as the college union chairperson, she is a strategist who is also passionate about nature conservation, art and loves solving Sudoku.

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