Indian Navy Marching Contingent: The government has announced the winners for the Best Marching Contingents and Best Tableaux from the Republic Day Parade 2026. These awards were given to the armed forces, police forces, states, Union Territories, and central ministries for their strong and colourful performances on Kartavya Path.
Among the three defence services, the Indian Navy was chosen as the Best Marching Contingent. Navy officials said the group had 144 young sailors marching together, showing the Navy as modern, disciplined, and powerful at sea. In the category of Central Armed Police Forces and other auxiliary forces, the Delhi Police won the top prize for its marching display.
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Best Tableaux from States and Ministries
In the states and Union Territories category, Maharashtra won first prize for its tableau called ‘Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Aatmanirbharta’. The display showed the Ganesh festival as a sign of self-reliance, mixing tradition with modern ideas. Women performers dressed in traditional clothes danced Lezim on both sides of the tableau during the parade.
- Jammu and Kashmir came second with ‘Handicrafts and Folk Dances of Jammu and Kashmir’
- Kerala took third place for ‘Water Metro and 100 per cent Digital Literacy: Aatmanirbhar Kerala for Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Among central ministries and departments, the Ministry of Culture won the award for its tableau titled ‘Vande Mataram-The Soul Cry of a Nation’. The display showed the history of the song, including its writing by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, a rare 1928 recording by Marathi singer Vishnupant Pagnis, freedom fighters, and an image of Bharat Mata holding the Tricolour.
- A special prize was also given to the Central Public Works Department for ‘Vande Mataram Commemoration of 150 Years’ and to the dance group ‘Vande Mataram: The Eternal Resonance of India’.
Popular Choice Winners Chosen by People
The Popular Choice awards were decided through an online vote on the MyGov portal. In this category, people selected the Assam Regiment as the best marching contingent among the three services. The Central Reserve Police Force was voted the best among CAPFs and auxiliary forces.
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For tableaux:
- Gujarat came first with ‘Mantra of Swadeshi-Self-Reliance-Freedom: Vande Mataram’.
- Uttar Pradesh followed second with ‘Culture of Bundelkhand’
- Rajasthan came third for ‘Golden Touch of the Desert: Bikaner Gold Art (Usta Art)’
The Department of School Education and Literacy won the Popular Choice award among ministries for its tableau on ‘National Education Policy 2020: Rocketing Indian School Education on the Path to Viksit Bharat’.
Officials said the award ceremony will be held on January 30 at the Rashtriya Rangshala Camp.
