The parade was led by Parade Commander Lieutenant-General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding of Delhi Area.
For the first time, the Indian Army showcased a phased “battle array format”, including its aerial component.
The reconnaissance element featured the historic 61 Cavalry in active combat uniform, followed by high mobility reconnaissance vehicles.
The Indian Navy tableau traced India’s maritime journey from a 5th century stitched ship to modern indigenous platforms such as INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri.
The 77th Republic Day celebration also saw the parade debut of the newly-raised Bhairav Battalion.
It is a specialised assault infantry unit aimed at bridging the capabilities of conventional infantry and special forces.
In addition, a military contingent from the European Union, carrying its military staff flag and flags of Operations Atalanta and Aspides, and the naval operations of the grouping, also participated in the parade.
It was the EU’s first participation in such an event outside of Europe.
A total of 30 tableaux -- 17 of States and Union Territories and 13 of various Ministries and Departments, rolled down the Kartavya Path.
Showcasing India’s first Water Metro, the Kerala’s tableau depicted the State’s achievement of 100% digital literacy and green mobility, rural prosperity and women-led digital empowerment.
Chhattisgarh’s tableau was themed “The Mantra of Freedom, Vande Mataram”.
It paid tribute to tribal freedom fighters and featured Veer Gundadhur of the 1910 Bhumkal Rebellion and Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh, the State’s first martyr.
This year, the enclosures for the parade were named after the rivers flowing across the nation.