India is celebrating its 71st Republic Day today (January 26, 2020) marking it with grand celebrations in the national capital and all across the nation. Republic Day is celebrated to honour the historic date when the country completed its transition towards becoming an independent republic after its constitution came into effect.
71st Republic Day, Brazilian Prez Bolsonaro is the Chief Guest.
What is Republic Day? Why do we celebrate it? History, Importance of Republic Day of India
Captain Tania Shergill, an officer with Army’s Corps of Signals, will be the first woman parade adjutant for the Republic Day parade. A parade adjutant is responsible for the parade.
Shergill is the first woman army officer to become parade adjutant for Republic Day. She also leads the all-men contingent on Army Day. Commissioned in March, 2017, from the Officer Training Academy, Chennai, Shergill is an electronics and communications graduate.
Republic Day is a day to remember when the Constitution of India officially came into force on January 26, 1950. This historical act formally transitioned India to become an independent republic and hence it is celebrated on January 26 every year.
UPSC IAS Prelims 2020 Online 60 Days Programme
It’s noted that though India gained freedom from the British rule after a long struggle in the wee hours of August 15, 1947. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru delivered his famous speech ‘Tryst with Destiny’, declaring India’s independence to the citizens. But sadly this freedom did not come along with democracy and the right to choose your own Government. Since India didn’t have an official Constitution then, our country was a constitutional monarchy under the rule of King George VI even after Independence. It was finally after two and half years later on January 26, 1950, when the Indian Constitution came into effect thus making India one of the biggest democracies in the world. It was on this day when India was declared as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic. And to honour this day, the Indian Republic Day is celebrated with great fervour throughout the country every year on January 26.
Information, History and Importance of Republic Day of India
It was through the monumental Indian Independence Act of 1947 through which Indian gained its independence, an Act of the United Kingdom’s Parliament which divided British India in two parts. As mentioned earlier, though India gained its freedom from the British rule it was still under the constitutional monarchy of King George VI (head) and Earl Mountbatten, who was the Governor General. This was because in 1947, India did not have its own Constitution. In fact, the laws in India at that time were based on the Government of India Act of 1935.
Realising the need of having an Indian Constitution, a Drafting Committee was set up with Dr Bheem Rao Ambedkar being appointed as its chairman. The sole objective of setting this committee was to draft the Constitution of India, which would be the supreme law of India. The Constitution lays down a broad framework of the fundamental political code, structure, powers, procedures and duties of all Government institutions and also states the fundamental rights and duties of all citizens of India. The committee worked tirelessly for many months and submitted their first draft of the Constitution on November 4, 1947 to the Constituent Assembly. It took exactly 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to finally adopt the Constitution with the necessary amendments.
Though the Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November, 1949 by the Constituent Assembly of India it became was formally made effective on 26 January, 1950. The reason: it was during in 1929 during the Indian National Congress’ (INC) Lahore Session that a demand for complete independence was made in the history of India’s freedom struggle from the British rule. This was followed by January 26, 1930 being announced as the Purna Swaraj Diwas (complete Independence Day). To honour this important day in India’s freedom movement, our Constitution was adopted on January 26, 1950. India Republic Day 2020
Some Other Useful Links:
UPSC Prelims 2020 Test 1-40: IAS Test Series – Study Portal
General Awareness/Current Affairs Yearbook 2020 – Study Portal
Important Topics: UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam 2020 Study Material: Part-1 – Study Portal
General Awareness/Current Affairs Yearbook 2020 – Study Portal
UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam 2020 Complete Study Material GS Paper-1
Important Topics for UPSC IAS Prelims and Mains Exam 2020 Part-2
State Wise Current Affairs General Knowledge Yearbook 2020
State Wise GK Current Affairs Yearbook 2020
UPSC PSC Prelims Test Series 2020
Must Read Books for UPSC PSC Exams 2020 UPSC PSC Exams
Preparation 2020 UPSC Prelims Exam 2020 Must Read Books