India celebrates its 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026. After India attained independence, a constituent assembly, elected by provincial assemblies, drafted a constitution to govern the newly independent nation. It took more than two years to complete the Constitution of India. The Purna Swaraj (complete self-rule) declaration of independence by the Indian National Congress in 1930 was considered the first major step towards independence. 26 January was chosen to commemorate that declaration.

With the adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950, India declared itself a Sovereign, Democratic Republic. Dr Rajendra Prasad heralded the historic birth of the Indian Republic by unfurling the Indian National Flag and taking the oath as the first President of India. Indonesian President Sukarno was the chief guest at India’s first Republic Day parade.

Some photographs and advertisements from the Hindu newspaper published on 26th January 1950-

The Hindu, 26th January 1950

Pandit Nehru signs India’s Constitution at the final session of the Constituent Assembly on Jan 24.

Dr Rajendra Prasad acknowledging the cheers of members of the Constituent Assembly after the session had ended.

A silver tray with the signatures of all the cabinet ministers engraved on it and an image of Lord Buddha was presented as a memento to Mr C Rajgopachari, Governor General, at a farewell party by the Ministers on Jan 22.