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Bactrian camels, black kites and trained indigenous dogs steal the spotlight at Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path

India marked Republic Day with a grand Kartavya Path parade that featured a Bactrian camels, black kites and trained indigenous dogs .

Updated on: Jan 26, 2026, 17:08:50 IST
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India marked its 77th Republic Day on Monday with a grand parade at New Delhi’s Kartavya Path, offering a striking display of military strength, cultural pride and indigenous heritage.

India celebrated Republic Day 2026 with a grand Kartavya Path parade that featured a Bactrian camel, black kites and trained indigenous dogs. (Source: DD)
India celebrated Republic Day 2026 with a grand Kartavya Path parade that featured a Bactrian camel, black kites and trained indigenous dogs. (Source: DD)

A showcase of strength and tradition

The parade featured marching contingents, mechanised columns and vibrant tableaux that reflected the nation’s unity in diversity. Alongside the armed forces, unique elements highlighting India’s rich biodiversity and traditional strengths also stood out.

News agency ANI shared screengrabs from the Doordarshan telecast showing several distinctive participants during the parade. These included the HIM Yodha contingent, a Bactrian Camels, the Zaniskari pony and black kites, also known as raptors, as they were displayed at the Kartavya Path in Delhi.

ANI shared the post with the caption, “HIM Yodha, Bactrian Camel, Zaniskari pony, black kites (raptors) displayed during the Republic Day parade at the Kartavya Path in Delhi. Five indigenous breed dogs-Mudhol Hound, Rampur Hound, Chippiparai, Kombai, and Rajapalayam-trained as attack and patrol dogs also displayed during the parade”.

One of the highlights of the parade was the presentation of five indigenous dog breeds trained for attack and patrol duties.

Take a look here at the post:

Rafale jet stuns spectators

Adding to the spectacle, a Rafale fighter jet delivered a breathtaking aerial performance over the Kartavya Path. In a video that has since gone viral on social media, the aircraft can be seen flying at nearly 900 kilometres per hour while executing a dramatic vertical manoeuvre.

Watch the clip here:

Global leaders attend celebrations

As is tradition, India welcomed distinguished international leaders as chief guests for the Republic Day celebrations. In 2026, the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, attended the parade as chief guests.

Google Trends

The celebrations also resonated strongly online. According to Google trends, “India Republic Day” witnessed a surge in interest, recording more than 2 million searches.

Google Trends
Google Trends
  • Mahipal Singh Chouhan
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Mahipal Singh Chouhan

    Mahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. He primarily covers offbeat, trending and human-interest stories, with a focus on emerging social media trends, online conversations and real-world incidents that capture public attention. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal works on identifying and developing fast-moving digital stories, adding context and journalistic perspective to viral moments while maintaining accuracy, clarity and readability for online audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling. He holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. Beyond journalism, he has a keen interest in history and sports and enjoys expanding his general knowledge.Read More

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