The parade, held annually at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, paints a multicolored picture of the country’s rich cultural heritage and military prowess.
Among the different sketches presented in the parade, one of the most intriguing parts is how women’s participation has evolved over the years. With each passing decade, their involvement has undergone a massive transformation, from a minor presence to taking center stage.
Historically, India’s Republic Day parade has been heavily dominated by male-led contingents, reflecting the traditional male-centric composition of the armed forces.
However, the parade has increasingly evolved to showcase gender diversity and ‘Nari Shakti’ (women’s power), particularly in the last decade.
In 2012, Sneha Shekhawat made history as the first woman pilot to lead the IAF contingent in the R-Day parade.
Also Read: Who is Simran Bala, the 26-year-old CRPF officer leading the all-male contingent at the R-Day Parade?
In 2015, an all-women contingent from the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy marched together for the first time in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. The historic moment led by Captain Divya Ajith (Army), Lieutenant Commander Sandhya Chauhan (Navy) and Squadron Leader Sneha Shekhawat (Air Force) showcased the growing role and capabilities of women in the Indian Armed Forces.
In 2016, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) created history by fielding its first all-female stunt contingent, known as ‘CRPF Reckless Women’, at the Republic Day parade.
In 2019, an all-women contingent of Assam Rifles created history by participating in the Republic Day parade for the first time, led by Major Khushboo Kanwar.
Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth has become the first woman fighter pilot to participate in the Indian Air Force (IAF) cadre in the Republic Day parade in 2021.
And continuing with the policies of the last few years, the 75th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path in 2024 was also women-centric. For the first time, the parade was heralded by 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments.
The 75th Republic Day Parade marked a major milestone with the first all-women contingent of Tri-Service marching on Kartavya Path, showcasing ‘Nari Shakti’ along with daredevil performances by CRPF, BSF and SSB.
More recently, the 76th Republic Day celebrations in 2025 continued to highlight Nari Shakti as a central theme, with an all-women contingent of 148 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel marching along the Kartavya Trail.
As India approaches its 77th Republic Day in 2026, rehearsals are underway for the grand parade. The grand parade will once again take place on Kartavya Path, marking a grand celebration of India’s 150-year-old national song, Vande Mataram, along with displays of military might, cultural diversity and national achievements.