Republic Day 2024: Here's A List of Previous Chief Guests & Traffic Regulations in New Delhi

India is celebrating its 75th Republic Day on Friday. It is celebrated every year on January 26 and marks the adoption of the Constitution of India, which came into effect in 1950.

This year, the parade at Kartavya Path will be women-centric and will be heralded by 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments. For the first time, an all-women tri-services contingent will be part of the country’s biggest ceremonial event, the officials said.

Republic Day celebrations are marked by various events with the primary focus on the grand parade at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi. The President of India hoists the national flag at Rajpath, followed by the ceremonial march past and tableaux from states and UTs.

French President Emmanuel Macron will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations this year. He is the sixth French leader to grace the prestigious annual event.

Previous Chief Guests on Republic Day

Here is a list of Republic Day Chief guests over the years:

1. Republic Day Parade 2023: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
2. Republic Day Parade 2022: No guest due to Covid-19 pandemic
3. Republic Day Parade 2021: No guest due to Covid-19 pandemic
4. Republic Day Parade 2020: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro
5. Republic Day Parade 2019: South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa
6. Republic Day Parade 2018: Ten guests – heads of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) states
7. Republic Day Parade 2017: Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
8. Republic Day Parade 2016: France President Francois Hollande
9. Republic Day Parade 2015: US President Barack Obama
10. Republic Day Parade 2014: Japanese PM Shinzo Abe
11. Republic Day Parade 2013: King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
12. Republic Day Parade 2012: Thailand PM Yingluck Shinawatra

Republic Day 2024: How is the Chief Guest Chosen?

The selection of Chief Guest takes six months and the entire process is handled by the Ministry of External Affairs. The things which are considered before extending the invitation is the country’s relationship with India and their political, economic, military and commercial interests.

The Ministry of External Affairs prepares a list of potential candidates and it is then sent to the President and the Prime Minister for approval. After the approval, the invitation is sent to the head of state or the government and their availability is checked.

After the confirmation of their availability, the official communication with the invitee’s country proceeds.

Republic Day: Traffic Regulations in New Delhi

On Tuesday, the vehicular movement was affected near India Gate in Central Delhi due to a full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade. Heavy traffic was also reported on Delhi-Gurgaon border and the people took to X reporting about the bumper to bumper jam on the stretch.

The traffic was affected on C-Hexagon, Ashoka Road and Rafi Marg near Krishi Bhawan. The traffic police personnel were deployed on these routes to manage the movement of vehicles. The traffic was also affected on Outer Ring Road and near the Pragati Maidan tunnel, Sarai Kale Khan, ITO, near Zoo red light traffic, Majnu Ka Tila and Ajmeri Gate flyover from Paharganj to Ajmeri Gate etc.

The Delhi traffic police has cautioned the commuters about the traffic situation near DND Toll Booth. Some commuters said that there were long queues at the entry and exit gates of the Central Secretariat metro station as many tried to ditch the traffic.

The rehearsal began at 10:30 am on Tuesday from Vijay Chowk and passed via Kartavya Path, C-Hexagon, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose statue roundabout, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Netaji Subhas Marg before culminating at the Red Fort.

According to the advisory issued on Monday, flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms such as paragliders, paramotors, hang gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned aircraft systems, microlight aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small size powered aircraft, quadcopters or para jumping from aircraft are prohibited over the National Capital Territory of Delhi till February 15.

Delhi Traffic Police, meanwhile, said they have set up a help desk to facilitate visitors on Republic Day.