The parade ceremony began at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate today. (PTI)
The Republic Day parade began at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate where PM Modi paid homage to the soldiers who died in the line of duty. The National Anthem was played with a 21-gun salute after the unfurling of the tricolour. India's military is on full display during the annual celebrations.
The national capital has been wrapped in a thick security blanket to ensure peaceful celebrations. Special teams, anti-aircraft guns and snipers have been deployed to keep a vigil on the eight-km parade route from Rajpath to Red Fort. Hundreds of CCTV cameras as well as drones are watching people's movements along the parade route. Nearly 60,000 security personnel from the Delhi Police and central security forces have been deployed in Central Delhi.
Here are the LIVE updates of the 69th Republic Day celebrations:
Ladakh: Visuals of #RepublicDay celebrations in Leh.#JammuAndKashmir. pic.twitter.com/bhW74IZmH2
- ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2018
Baredi Folk dance from Madhya Pradesh, performed at the 69th Republic Day parade
Earlier today at the #RepublicDay Parade: the Indian Air Force tableau, led by three lady officers pic.twitter.com/mZj0g1QrU6
- PIB India (@PIB_India) January 26, 2018
National Bravery Award winning children. 18 children, 7 girls and 11 boys were awarded.
Indian Council of Agricultural research - Mishrit Kheti, Khushiyon ki Kheti tableau at the 69th Republic Day parade
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports - Khelo India tableau at the 69th Republic Day parade
Ministry of Tribal Affairs - Uchit Dam Hak Se Mang tableau at the 69th Republic Day parade
Gujarat - Century of Sabarmati Ashram tableau at the 69th Republic Day parade
Assam - Traditional masks of the Satras tableau at the 69th Republic Day parade
Chhattisgarh - Ramgarh's Ancient Amphitheater tableau at the 69th Republic Day parade
Maharashtra - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj tableau at the 69th Republic Day parade
Jammu and Kashmir - Livelihood of Jammu and Kashmir tableau at the 69th Republic Day parade
Delhi Police band playing the 'Delhi Police' song at the 69th Republic Day Parade
Indo Tibetan Border Police marching to the tune Sare Jahan Se Achha Hindustan Hamara at the 69th Republic Day Parade
Sashastra Seema Bal Band seen playing Sashastra Seema Bal Song 69th Republic Day Parade
BSF Camel Contingent of the BSF of 'Ships of the Desert' 69th Republic Day Parade
Glimpses of #RepublicDay Parade 2018. Watch at https://t.co/dhMAHeUhL0pic.twitter.com/0Kr1oXrUX5
- BJP (@BJP4India) January 26, 2018
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President Ram Nath Kovind seen saluting the marching parade at 69th Republic Day parade
The ASEAN flag carried along with individual flags of the 10 ASEAN nations at the 69th Republic Day parade
Ashoka Chakra awarded to Late Air Force Commando JP Nirala, who lost his life in Bandipora encounter. President Kovind presents award to JP Nirala's mother and wife.
"Squad Motivator" 47-Year-Old BSF Jawan To March At Rajpath For 18th TimeFor 47-year-old BSF soldier Dara Singh marching on the Rajpath for a record 18th time today, it is just a small tribute to his namesake and the iconic wrestler. Mr Singh, who first put his foot on the historic road in the national capital on January 26, 1996, is addressed as "Chacha" and "Sir" by the greenhorn troopers of various marching contingents from the paramilitary and defence forces.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets President Ram Nath Kovind as they get on stage ahead of the 69th Republic Day celebrations
PM Modi along with President Ram Nath Kovind and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitraraman on stage ahead of the 69th Republic Day parade.
Burmese politician and diplomat, Aung San Suu Kyi at the 69th Republic Day celebrations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives ASEAN leaders at Rajpath as they join as chief guests for the 69th Republic Day Celebrations.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh sent his greetings on the 69th Republic Day.
Greetings to you on the occasion of 69th #RepublicDay . गणतंत्र दिवस के अवसर पर आप सभी को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ.
- Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 26, 2018
Republic Day 2018: The 10 ASEAN Leaders To Be Chief Guests This YearIn a first, the Republic Day parade in 2018 will be attended by 10 heads of state from ASEAN or Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a regional grouping of 10 Southeast Asian countries. In light of the presence of 10 chief guests at the Republic Day in Delhi, massive preparations have been made by 100-odd government agencies. Leaders from the 10 nations -- Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei -- will be present on a stage enclosed with a 100 feet wide bullet-proof glass. The chief guest at India's first Republic Day on January 26, 1950 was the President of Indonesia, and since then, five other Southeast Asian leaders have chief guests at the Republic Day parades.
I wish all Citizens at home & abroad, a very Happy #RepublicDay. Let us all reaffirm our pledge to uphold the ideals enshrined in our Constitution & work towards a strong & prosperous India. pic.twitter.com/tcnMgzxUlr
- Pranab Mukherjee (@CitiznMukherjee) January 26, 2018
ASEAN leaders received at Rajpat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they arrive for the Republic Day parade. In a first, leaders of the 10 ASEAN nations join as the chief guest for the parade.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP Chief Amit Shah, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Chief Justice Dipak Misra among others present at Rajpat for the 69th Republic Day celebrations.
President Ram Nath Kovind arrives at Rajpat ahead of the Republic Day parade.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Rajpath ahead of the Republic Day parade.
On the occasion of the 69th #RepublicDay , Smt @nsitharaman hoisting the national flag at her residence.
- Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) January 26, 2018
Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/03tLcZvqdh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi accompanied by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman, Chief of the Army Staff, the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff.
Ahead of the Republic Day parade 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate to soldiers who died in the line of duty.
Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj sent greetings on the 69th Republic Day.
गणतंत्र दिवस की शुभ कामनाएं. Greetings on our Republic day.
- Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 26, 2018
The Youth Congress' official twitter handle tweeted a nostalgic photograph of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at a Republic Day parade.
Smt Indira Gandhi in Republic day parade. pic.twitter.com/MrOADSG9yZ
- Youth Congress (@IYC) January 26, 2018
The ASEAN leaders who will be attending the Republic Day parade 2018 will first go to the presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan. From there, cars ferrying these leaders will start rolling down the Raisina Hill at 9:35 am. The first to arrive will be the Prime Minister of Brunei and the last will be the Thai king.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh hoists the national flag at his residence in Delhi on Republic Day 2018. 
As India celebrates its 69th Republic Day today a record 10 Heads of States, from ASEAN or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, willl watch the grand parade with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajpath.
BJP Chief Amit Shah unfurls the national flag at the BJP headquarters in Delhi on the 69th Republic Day ahead of the Republic Day parade.
Indo-Tibetan Border Police march along with the national flag in the Himalayas at minus 30 degrees, 18,000 feet high for Republic Day 2018.
हिमाद्रि तुंग श्रृंग से
- ITBP (@ITBP_official) January 26, 2018
प्रबुद्ध शुद्ध भारती... #Himveers of #ITBP with #NationalFlag somewhere in the #Himalayas in minus 30 degrees at 18K ft #RepublicDay2018#RepublicDayParade2018pic.twitter.com/y6fQGYIqQz
Congress Upset At Fourth Row For Rahul Gandhi At Republic Day ParadeThe Congress is extremely upset that its president Rahul Gandhi has been assigned a seat in the fourth row at tomorrow's Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath in the heart of New Delhi. His predecessor and mother Sonia Gandhi was always seated in the front row.
Congress' Shashi Tharoor posted an image with a Republic Day message. "Let us remember the golden heritage of our country and feel proud to be a part of India," the image read.
- Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 26, 2018
In Pics: Candid Moments From Republic Day Parade Rehearsals, Photo GalleryAhead of the Republic Day parade that will happen in grandeur on January 26th, the 69th Republic Day, a full dress rehearsal was held earlier in the week. This year the parade will have 10 leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN, present as chief guests at the event. Over 100 government agencies took part in the parade preparations over the past last few weeks. In pictures are some of the moments captured during the rehearsals at Rajpat in the national capital.
The Press Information Bureau tweeted a series of images going down memory line on the 69th Republic Day. "Let us recall what our forefathers solemnly resolved, what they have bequeathed to us and what we celebrate and honour today," a tweet read.
#ThisDayThatYear: Let us recall what our forefathers solemnly resolved, what they have bequeathed to us and what we celebrate and honour today. #RepublicDaypic.twitter.com/77V1WltOtn
- PIB India (@PIB_India) January 26, 2018
India Republic Day: From Nagaland To Kashmir, These Are The Heroes Of 69th Republic DayThe Shaurya Chakra is the third highest peacetime military decoration after the Ashoka Chakra and the Kirti Chakra. Read about the heroic tales of the men in uniform who are honoured with the Shaurya Chakra this Republic Day.
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson extends warm wishes on the 69th Republic Day. Says the days will be remembered as the 'historic' day when 10 ASEAN leaders joined the country in celebrations.
The Ministry of External Affairs extends its warm wishes to all on the 69th Republic Day. #RepublicDay2018 would always be remembered as a historic day when all 10 ASEAN HoS/HoGs joined us in the celebrations. #aseanindiapic.twitter.com/NdnnjrId0L
- Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 26, 2018
Pesident Ram Nath Kovind Addresses Nation Ahead of 69th Republic Day. A Veiled Message On PadmaavatAgainst the backdrop of raging protests against the controversial film Padmaavat across several states, President Ram Nath Kovind today underlined that people could disagree about something or a historical event without infringing on the dignity and space of other citizens." itemprop="description
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley conveyed his Republic Day greetings on Twitter.
- Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) January 25, 2018
69वें #गणतंत्रदिवस के पावन अवसर पर हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं l 🇮🇳 #RepublicDaypic.twitter.com/df8TR129uR
Republic Day celebrations were held in Chennai amid tight security.
- ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2018
Tamil Nadu: Visuals of #RepublicDay parade from Chennai pic.twitter.com/HUKWXS2cY2
Ahead of Republic Day celebrations in Delhi, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain tweeted, "We are honoured to have ASEAN leaders as guests for this #RepublicDay. There is a natural affinity between people of India & ASEAN nations due to deep civilisational links. This gesture by PM @narendramodi ji will add to the bonding."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted her wishes on India's 69th Republic Day, "Today is Republic Day. Let us remember the creators of our Constitution, and promise to abide by its principles of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity."
ASEAN Leaders As Chief Guests, 100-Foot Wide Stage For 69th Republic Day Parade: 10 PointsAs India celebrates its 69th Republic Day today, for the first time, 10 leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN will be the chief guests at the ceremonial parade, held at Rajpath, in the heart of national capital Delhi. To accommodate the 10 heads of state, the stage that will be enclosed by bullet-proof glass will be 100 feet wide, three times bigger than what it was last year. There's unprecedented security in Delhi; mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters have been deployed to keep a watch on the eight-km-long parade route from Rajpath to Red Fort.
Mumbai's iconic railway station, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus building is lit with tricolor on the occasion of India's 69th Republic Day.
As India celebrates it's 69th Republic Day, international sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik celebrates it with sand sculptures.
- Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) January 26, 2018
Greetings to all my countrymen on #Republicday2018. My SandArt at the Khandagiri-Udaygiri festival, Bhubaneswar. pic.twitter.com/FcM3NNciLl
The parade will start at 9:50 am from Vijay Chowk and proceed towards the Red Fort Grounds through the Rajpath, India Gate, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Netaji Subhash Marg. Delhi Traffic Police issues traffic advisory ahead of the Republic Day parade.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY
- Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) January 25, 2018
Traffic Arrangements - Republic Day Celebrations on 26Th January, 2018 pic.twitter.com/ZAMJNegFWq
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveys his Republic Day greetings on twitter.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2018
सभी देशवासियों को गणतंत्र दिवस की बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं। Greetings on #RepublicDay. Jai Hind!
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