On 26 January 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the 77th Republic Day of India by once again showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage through his distinctive attire.
For this year’s celebrations, the Prime Minister wore a dark blue kurta paired with a light blue Nehru jacket, creating a subtle yet elegant look. The highlight of his appearance was a vibrant multi-coloured turban, continuing his long-standing Republic Day tradition.
The turban was a traditional safa with red as the base colour, embellished with yellow patterns and hints of green. The carefully chosen headgear symbolised cultural depth, regional pride and India’s diversity, drawing widespread attention during the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister paid homage to fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial, observing a two-minute silence in memory of the martyrs before proceeding to the parade venue.
PM Modi’s Republic Day Attire Over the Years
Prime Minister Modi’s Republic Day outfits have consistently reflected India’s cultural diversity:
2015–2017:
In 2015, during his first Republic Day as Prime Minister, he wore a peacock-style multi-coloured Bandhani turban, with former US President Barack Obama attending as Chief Guest. In 2016, he opted for a yellow turban with pink-red stripes and a cream bandhgala suit, followed by a pink turban with silver lines in 2017.
2018–2021:
In 2018, he wore a yellow-and-red turban with a cream kurta and black jacket, later appearing in a red Halari pagdi gifted by Jamnagar’s royal family. The 2019 turban featured multiple colours symbolising India’s diversity, while in 2020 he chose a Bandhej turban inspired by Gujarat and Rajasthan textiles.
2022–2025:
In 2022, the Prime Minister skipped a turban and wore a traditional Uttarakhand cap adorned with the Brahma Kamal. He returned to turbans in 2023 with a bright Leheria Pheta, followed by a yellow, pink and white Bandhani turban in 2024. In 2025, he wore a saffron-and-red striped safa symbolising courage, royalty and cultural pride.
A Tradition of Cultural Representation
PM Modi’s Republic Day attire has evolved into a symbolic expression of India’s heritage, regional craftsmanship and unity in diversity, making his annual appearance one of the most closely watched aspects of the national celebrations.
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