Republic Day in India is a momentous occasion that commemorates the day when the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950. Each year, the nation celebrates this day with great fervor and enthusiasm, showcasing its rich cultural diversity and historical significance. One of the highlights of Republic Day celebrations is the presence of a distinguished Chief Guest, often a foreign dignitary, who graces the occasion with their presence. Over the years, India has had the honor of hosting a plethora of eminent personalities as Chief Guests. This article takes a nostalgic journey through the list of Chief Guests on Republic Day from 1950 to 2024.
Republic Day in India is celebrated annually on January 26th. This significant date marks the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950, replacing the Government of India Act (1935). The day is observed with patriotic fervor, grand parades, and cultural events across the country, symbolizing the sovereignty and democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution.
The inaugural Republic Day Chief Guest was Dr. Sukarno, the first President of Indonesia. He graced the occasion on January 26, 1950, marking the first anniversary of the Republic of India. Dr. Sukarno’s presence symbolized the solidarity between the two nations and their shared commitment to independence and sovereignty. Since then, Republic Day has continued the tradition of hosting distinguished Chief Guests from various countries.
In 2024, Emmanuel Macron, President of France honored India as the Chief Guest for Republic Day celebrations. His presence marked a testament to the strong diplomatic ties between the two nations. The event showcased a fusion of Indian and French cultures, symbolizing the spirit of collaboration and friendship.
Republic Day celebrations in India, held annually on January 26, commemorate the adoption of the Constitution in 1950. The day is marked by grand parades, showcasing military might, cultural diversity, and technological prowess. Patriotism fills the air as the President takes the salute, and the event is graced by a Chief Guest, often a prominent international dignitary, reflecting India’s global camaraderie.
The first chief guest of Republic Day was Dr. Sukarno who was the first President of Indonesia. This year, the chief guest of Republic Day 2024 is Emmanuel Macron, the President of France.
Here is the list of chief guests on Republic Day from 1950 till 2024:
| CHIEF GUEST ON REPUBLIC DAY (1950-2024) | ||
| Year | Name | Country |
| 1950 | President Sukarno | France |
| 1951 | King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah | Nepal |
| 1952 | – | – |
| 1953 | – | – |
| 1954 | King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck | Bhutan |
| 1955 | Governor-General Malik Ghulam Muhammad | Pakistan |
| 1956 | Chancellor of the Exchequer R. A. Butler | United Kingdom |
| Chief Justice Kotaro Tanaka | Japan | |
| 1957 | Minister of Defence Georgy Zhukov | Soviet Union |
| 1958 | Marshall Ye Jianying | China |
| 1959 | Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip | United Kingdom |
| 1960 | President Kliment Voroshilov | USSR |
| 1961 | Queen Elizabeth II | United Kingdom |
| 1962 | Prime Minister Viggo Kampmann | Denmark |
| 1963 | King Norodom Sihanouk | Cambodia |
| 1964 | Chief of Defence Staff Lord Louis Mountbatten | United Kingdom |
| 1965 | Food and Agriculture Minister Rana Abdul Hamid | Pakistan |
| 1966 | – | – |
| 1967 | King Mohammed Zahir Shah | Afghanistan |
| 1968 | Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin | USSR |
| President Josip Broz Tito | SFR Yugoslavia | |
| 1969 | Prime Minister of Bulgaria Todor Zhivkov | Bulgaria |
| 1970 | King of the Belgians Baudouin | Belgium |
| 1971 | President Julius Nyerere | Tanzania |
| 1972 | Prime Minister Seewoosagur Ramgoolam | Mauritius |
| 1973 | President Mobutu Sese Seko | Zaire |
| 1974 | President Josip Broz Tito | SFR Yugoslavia |
| 1975 | Prime Minister Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike | Sri Lanka |
| President Kenneth Kaunda | Zambia | |
| 1976 | Prime Minister Jacques Chirac | France |
| 1977 | First Secretary Edward Gierek | Poland |
| 1978 | President Patrick Hillery | Ireland |
| 1979 | Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser | Australia |
| 1980 | President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing | France |
| 1981 | President José López Portillo | Mexico |
| 1982 | King Juan Carlos I | Spain |
| 1983 | President Shehu Shagari | Nigeria |
| 1984 | King Jigme Singye Wangchuck | Bhutan |
| 1985 | President Raúl Alfonsín | Argentina |
| 1986 | Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou | Greece |
| 1987 | President Alan García | Peru |
| 1988 | President Junius Jayewardene | Sri Lanka |
| 1989 | General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh | Viet Nam |
| 1990 | Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth | Mauritius |
| 1991 | President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom | Maldives |
| 1992 | President Mário Soares | Portugal |
| 1993 | Prime Minister John Major | United Kingdom |
| 1994 | Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong | Singapore |
| 1995 | President Nelson Mandela | South Africa |
| 1996 | President Dr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso | Brazil |
| 1997 | Prime Minister Basdeo Panday | Trinidad and Tobago |
| 1998 | President Jacques Chirac | France |
| 1999 | King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev | Nepal |
| 2000 | President Olusegun Obasanjo | Nigeria |
| 2001 | President Abdelaziz Bouteflika | Algeria |
| 2002 | President Cassam Uteem | Mauritius |
| 2003 | President Mohammed Khatami | Iran |
| 2004 | President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva | Brazil |
| 2005 | King Jigme Singye Wangchuck | Bhutan |
| 2006 | King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud | Saudi Arabia |
| 2007 | President Vladimir Putin | Russia |
| 2008 | President Nicolas Sarkozy | Farnce |
| 2009 | President Nursultan Nazarbayev | Kazakhstan |
| 2010 | President Lee Myung Bak | Republic of Korea |
| 2011 | President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono | Indonesia |
| 2012 | Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra | Thailand |
| 2013 | King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck | Bhutan |
| 2014 | Prime Minister Shinzo Abe | Japan |
| 2015 | President Barack Obama | United States |
| 2016 | President François Hollande | France |
| 2017 | Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed | United Arab Emirates |
| 2018 | Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Joko Widodo Thongloun Sisoulith Prime Minister Hun Sen Najib Razak President Htin Kyaw Rodrigo Roa Duterte Halimah Yacob Prayuth Chan-ocha Nguyễn Xuân Phúc | Brunei Indonesia Laos Cambodia Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam |
| 2019 | President Cyril Ramaphosa | South Africa |
| 2020 | President Jair Bolsonaro | Brazil |
| 2021 | Prime Minister Boris Johnson (cancelled his visit) | Brazil |
| 2022 | – | – |
| 2023 | President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi | Egypt |
| 2024 | President Emmanuel Macron | France |
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