India’s Republic Day 2025: Honoring the Nation’s Defense Achievements

Republic Day marks the commemoration of the day that India adopted its Constitution in 1950 and established itself as a sovereign, democratic republic. This day not only symbolizes India’s democratic spirit but also reflects the nation’s strides toward self-reliance and progress, especially in the field of defense. The Indian Republic Day is celebrated on January 26 every year, and it features the country’s defense capabilities and cultural diversity. 

In this blog, we will give you information about the Republic Day of India, the growth of the Indian defense sector, major achievements and the future of the Indian defense sector.

Why is Republic Day Special?

January 26 is an important date in Indian history because on this day in 1930, the Indian National Congress declared Purna Swaraj or total independence from British rule, at its Lahore session. Two decades later, this date was chosen to enforce the Constitution of India that marked the establishment of a republic nation.

Republic Day reminds people of the sacrifices made by numerous people who fought for freedom and worked hard to build a strong and united nation. It also features events showcasing India’s cultural diversity along with the recent developments in the Indian defense sector. 

Growth of India’s Defense Sector

Post-independence, India has made enormous progress in the defense sector. With the initial dependency on imports for military equipment, the country has moved far ahead on the path of self-reliance.

The establishment of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in 1958 can be considered the beginning of India’s defense sector growth story. Since then, DRDO has played a huge role in developing the latest technologies and weapons systems. Year by year, India has been expanding its manufacturing capacities and slowly but surely reducing its dependence on defense imports.

The “Make in India” initiative was also one of the reasons for the rapid development of the defense manufacturing ecosystem since local firms were given incentives and technological support to produce defense systems. This initiative allowed the private sector to contribute significantly to the Indian defense sector and the GDP. 

Read Also: Best Defense Stocks in India 

India’s Major Defense Achievements

The allocation of a huge amount of money to its military is a reflection of India’s dedication to its security. In 2024, the defense expenditure of India surpassed ₹6 lakh crore and is currently among the highest in the world. India’s significant achievements in the defense sector are:

Indigenous Weapons and Technologies 

In recent years, India has been focussing on manufacturing indigenous defense equipment and technologies such as:

• Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, a symbol of India’s engineering excellence, proves India’s increasing self-reliance in manufacturing superior aircraft. 
• BrahMos is a missile manufactured by India in collaboration with Russia. It is the world’s fastest cruise missile.
• INS Vikrant, India’s first Indigenous aircraft carrier, was commissioned in 2022. 76% of the ship’s parts were sourced indigenously, and nearly 500 Indian firms collaborated on this project.

Defense Exports 

India is fast becoming a significant exporter in global defense markets. It has been exporting artillery equipment, radars, armored vehicles, etc., to over 100 countries. India’s defense exports have increased from ₹686 crores to ₹21,083 crores between 2014 and 2024. This is a result of steps undertaken to promote local manufacturing.

Government’s Role in Strengthening the Defense Sector

The Indian government has played a key role in the transformation of the defense sector. 

• The Defense Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) was introduced by the Government of India in 2020 to develop R&D facilities to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen India’s defense sector. 

• In 2020, the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in the defense sector was increased from 49% to 74% through the automatic route and up to 100% through the Government route. This has attracted foreign investors to invest in India and encouraged global companies to partner with Indian firms.

• The government has also implemented the concept of a “negative import list,” which lists defense equipment or parts that must be purchased locally, which has resulted in a direct increase in revenues for domestic firms.

Republic Day Parade and Military Power

The Republic Day parade is one of the most-awaited events in India as it showcases the country’s cultural diversity and military power. The Government of India also honors military personnel with gallantry awards, such as Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, etc., on this day. The event takes place every year at Rajpath (now Kartavya Path) in New Delhi and consists of a mind-blowing display of India’s defense capabilities.

In the recent past, the Republic Day parade featured Arjun and T-90 Bhishma tanks, Agni and Akash missiles, Rafale and Sukhoi Su-30MKI aircraft, etc., symbolizing the defense strength of the nation. Tejas fighter jets and BrahMos missiles were also popular additions to the Republic Day parade.

Read Also: 10 Essential Financial Planning Tips for Military Members

Future of India’s Defense Industry

The defense sector of India is set to experience substantial growth in the future due to the following reasons:

1. Developing New Technologies 

India is making efforts to develop and use the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, in cybersecurity, data processing, drones, etc. A Defense Artificial Intelligence Council was established in 2022 to provide necessary guidance and structural support for developing AI’s military applications. The council has identified 70 defense-specific AI projects, out of which 40 have already been completed by the DPSUs.

2. Private Sector Companies and Startups

The private sector companies are leading the transformation of the defense sector in India. Bharat Forge, Larsen & Toubro, and Tata Advanced Systems are the big names involved in the Indian defense sector. Newspace Research and Technologies, Tonbo Imaging, and ideaForge are some of the prominent startups developing drones, robotics, and unmanned systems.

3. Collaborations and Partnerships 

Good diplomatic relations with countries such as the United States, Israel, France, etc., result in substantial knowledge transfer and joint development of high-tech systems.

Republic Day Offer By Pocketful

To honour those who serve the nation, Pocketful is offering lifetime free brokerage across all segments for Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel, including ex-servicemen and women. Now, you can start investing and trading in equities and commodities, which have the potential to generate high returns in the long run. This is an initiative by the company’s founders to thank the military personnel for their services to the country.

Conclusion

Republic Day is not just a celebration of India’s democratic spirit; it also describes the transition of a nation dependent on imports to a self-sufficient one. The Republic Day 2025 celebrates the sacrifices made by the military personnel for the nation as well as the breakthroughs in the defense industry that would ensure India’s security.

The Indian defense firms and policies developed by the Indian government have a strong emphasis on innovation, collaboration and indigenization. The progress seen in the defense industry is one such effort that leads to the realization of the objective of a robust and self-reliant India.