The 76th Republic Day celebrations are set to highlight the growing significance of women’s participation in shaping the nation’s future. With a focus on ’women-led development’, the event will feature multiple initiatives showcasing the strides made by women across diverse fields.
A Decade of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' and 50 Years of Anganwadi Services
For the first time in a decade, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) will present its tableau at the Republic Day Parade. The tableau will reflect the government’s vision of women-led development while marking two historic milestones:
1. The 10-year anniversary of the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ scheme, which has championed gender equality and the importance of girls' education.
2. The 50-year anniversary of Anganwadi services, launched as the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in 1975. This network of anganwadis has been pivotal in delivering early childhood care and nutrition to millions of children aged 0-6 from marginalised communities across the country.
The WCD ministry sees the Republic Day parade as an ideal platform to highlight the transformative role of Indian women in realising the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India), as well as to showcase the government’s various schemes aimed at empowering women.
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Record Participation Of Female Cadets In NCC
The Republic Day Camp 2025 in Delhi has achieved a historic milestone, with a record-breaking 917 girl cadets participating this year. Out of the total 2,361 cadets from all 28 states and eight Union Territories, women now form a significant portion, reflecting a growing interest in the defence services among young women.
The camp also includes 135 cadets from 18 friendly countries under the Youth Exchange Programme, making the event a global showcase of India’s commitment to inclusivity and gender parity. Notably, regions like Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have sent 114 cadets, while 178 cadets hail from the North East, adding to the diversity of this year’s event.
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Recognising The Architects Of Swarnim Bharat
In a bid to make national events more inclusive, this year’s Republic Day celebrations will witness the participation of 10,000 special invitees from diverse backgrounds. Among these invitees are individuals hailed as the architects of ‘Swarnim Bharat’ (Golden India)—achievers across various fields and beneficiaries of government schemes.
Key invitees include:
• Sarpanches from top-performing villages
• Disaster relief workers
• Members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
• Artisans, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers, and tribal beneficiaries
• Women entrepreneurs and National Award winners
North East Women Shine Bright
Among the 35 representatives from the North East invited to witness the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path, five remarkable women from Meghalaya have been specially chosen under the aegis of the Ministry of Women and Child Development. These women represent the region’s contributions to environmental protection, nutrition, sanitation, and gender empowerment.
The delegation also includes:
• Eight participants from Assam, representing various government initiatives and achievements.
• 22 participants from Sikkim, including beneficiaries of flagship government schemes and women working towards sustainability.
Their participation not only celebrates the unique contributions of the North East to India’s development but also highlights the government’s focus on empowering women from all regions of the country.