India's Republic Day is a momentous occasion filled with immense pride, patriotic spirit, and vibrant celebrations of the national tricolour. Across the country, this day is marked by spectacular parades, cultural performances, and events set to the tune of patriotic songs and themes.
Google Joins the Celebration with ISRO Tribute
This year, on January 26, 2026, as India commemorates its 77th Republic Day, Google has added to the festivities with a stunning and fitting doodle that pays homage to the remarkable achievements of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The creative artwork captures the essence of India's space exploration journey, from rocket launches to lunar missions and beyond.
A Symbol of India's Technological Ascent
As the nation tunes in to watch the grand parade led by President Droupadi Murmu, this Google doodle serves as a powerful reminder of India's unstoppable rise in the fields of science and technology. ISRO's relentless accomplishments, including the Chandrayaan missions and the upcoming Gaganyaan project, are not merely headlines but concrete representations of the country's ingenuity and consistent progress in space exploration.
Details of the ISRO-Themed Doodle
Google kicked off Republic Day 2026 with this creative doodle honouring ISRO. The design ingeniously incorporates elements like satellites, orbital paths, and starry motifs into the letters of "GOOGLE," symbolizing the wonder and excitement of space exploration. It celebrates a particularly significant year for India's space agency, highlighting key missions such as Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan. Although Google has not provided detailed inspiration behind the doodle, it is clearly a direct tribute to India's cosmic advancements.
Contrast with Last Year's Doodle
In 2025, Google's Republic Day doodle took a different approach by showcasing the magic of India's wildlife. Designed by artist Rohan Dahotre from Pune, it featured a lively scene with animals adorned in Indian attire, including a soaring peacock, a tiger in dhoti-kurta playing musical instruments, a snow leopard in traditional Ladakhi gear, along with a crocodile and antelope. This artwork highlighted India's diverse regions and rich fauna. In comparison, this year's representation of ISRO feels like a natural evolution, reflecting the nation's growing focus and achievements in space missions.
Republic Day Parade 2026 Highlights
Today, on January 26, 2026, India marks its 77th Republic Day with grandeur at Kartavya Path. President Droupadi Murmu led the parade, which commenced at 9:30 am and featured various tableaux showcasing military strength, cultural diversity through floats, and technological advancements. The main theme of the event celebrates the 150th anniversary of the national song 'Vande Mataram,' with 30 tableaus representing different states and union territories. Live coverage began at 10:30 am, with gates opening to the public from 7 am.
The Significance of Republic Day
Republic Day on January 26 honours the historic day when the Indian Constitution came into effect in 1950, transforming India into a sovereign republic. While the country gained independence in 1947, it was on this date that the constitutional framework was established, embracing the core principles of democracy, equality, and justice for all citizens.
