Explore the comprehensive list of Chief Guests for Republic Day from 1950 to 2024
January 26 marks the adoption of the Constitution in 1950, officially declaring India a sovereign state and a republic
India eagerly anticipates its 75th Republic Day celebration, a significant occasion highlighting the nation’s rich heritage. The focal point is the vibrant display of tableaus, showcasing cultural diversity. Republic Day Parade rehearsals and Beating the Retreat ceremonies are in full swing across the country.
January 26 marks the adoption of the Constitution in 1950, officially declaring India a sovereign state and a republic. French President Emmanuel Macron is the chief guest this year, signifying diplomatic ties. No chief guests were invited between 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic, making Macron’s presence more significant.
The Republic Day Parade at Rajpath in Delhi is a showcase of unity in diversity, featuring military displays and cultural performances. Beating the Retreat ceremonies at Vijay Chowk offer a melodious conclusion.
As India commemorates its 75th Republic Day, it reflects on the journey from colonial rule to a vibrant democracy. The celebrations reaffirm India’s commitment to democratic values, cultural diversity, and global progress. Macron’s presence adds an international dimension, emphasizing shared democratic values.
In essence, the 75th Republic Day is a testament to India’s dedication to democracy and its influential global role. The displays and ceremonies encapsulate the spirit of a nation that, since gaining independence in 1947, has evolved into a dynamic republic cherishing cultural roots while embracing progress.
Republic Day: Here’s a list of chief guests over the years:
| 1950 | President Sukarno | Indonesia |
| 1951 | King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah | Nepal |
| 1952 | No invitation | — |
| 1953 | No invitation | — |
| 1954 | King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck | Bhutan |
| 1955 | Governor-General Malik Ghulam Muhammad | Pakistan |
| 1956 | Chancellor of the Exchequer R. A. ButlerChief Justice Kotaro Tanaka | United KingdomJapan |
| 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 | No invitation | No invitation |
| 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 |
| Prime Minister Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike | Sri Lanka | |
| 1975 | 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 | 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 | France |
| 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 BolkiahJoko WidodoThongloun SisoulithPrime Minister Hun SenNajib RazakPresident Htin KyawRodrigo Roa DuterteHalimah YacobPrayuth Chan-ochaNguyễn 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) | United Kingdom |
| 2022 | No specific chief guest due to the COVID-19 pandemic | – |
| 2023 | President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi | Egypt |
| 2024 | President Emmanuel Macron | France |
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India eagerly awaits its 75th Republic Day celebration, a significant occasion marking the adoption of the Constitution in 1950. French President Emmanuel Macron is this year’s chief guest, highlighting diplomatic ties after no guests were invited in 2021-2022 due to the pandemic. The Republic Day Parade showcases unity in diversity, while Beating the Retreat ceremonies offer a melodious conclusion. As India commemorates its 75th Republic Day, it reflects on its journey from colonial rule to a vibrant democracy, emphasizing shared democratic values with Macron’s presence. In essence, this Republic Day celebrates India’s dedication to democracy and its influential global role. 🇮🇳🌟 #RepublicDay #ChiefGuests