Republic Day for kids

What is Republic Day?

Republic Day is a national day held every year on 26 January. In 2027 it falls on a Tuesday, and it is a public holiday. It remembers the day in 1950 when the Constitution of India came into force. The Constitution is the book of basic rules that says how the country is run and what rights people have.

Why 26 January?

On 26 January 1930, people across India marked Purna Swaraj Day, a promise to work for complete self-rule. When the Constitution was ready, the date 26 January 1950 was chosen so that it would link back to that earlier day. Official sources and holiday guides describe it in this way. Rangooo is a children’s site, so we keep this short; your school history book can tell you more.

What happens on the day

The best-known event is the parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi. It begins with the unfurling of the National Flag, the National Anthem and a gun salute. Away from Delhi, flag-hoisting ceremonies are held in states, districts, schools and communities.

The tricolour: a few facts

The National Flag has three equal bands. From the top they are saffron, white and green. In the middle of the white band is the Ashoka Chakra, a wheel in navy blue with 24 spokes. Our Constituent Assembly approved the flag in its present form on 22 July 1947.

A note on respect. The Flag Code of India says the flag should not touch the ground or water. It also says paper flags may be waved at national events, but should not be thrown away on the ground afterwards. They should be put away privately, in a way that respects the flag. Please ask a grown-up if you are unsure.

Try it at home: paper bunting in three colours

You need saffron, white and green paper, scissors, a glue stick and a long piece of string. Cut each sheet into triangles of the same size. Fold the top edge of each triangle over the string and glue it down, and repeat the colours in order: saffron, white, green. Hang the string across a wall or a window. An adult should help young children with the scissors.

Because the Flag Code says the flag should not be used as drapery, we make plain colour triangles and leave out the Ashoka Chakra. This keeps your bunting a colourful decoration, not a flag. When the day is over, keep the bunting for next year or recycle it.

Quiz time: test yourself

1. Which day in 1950 does Republic Day remember? Answer: the day the Constitution came into force, 26 January.
2. What is the colour of the top band of the flag? Answer: saffron.
3. How many spokes does the Ashoka Chakra have? Answer: 24.
4. In which city is the main parade held? Answer: New Delhi, on Kartavya Path.
5. What should we do with a paper flag after the event? Answer: put it away privately and respectfully, not on the ground.

Questions to talk about

• What rules help your classroom or home work well for everyone?
• Why might a country write its rules in a book?
• How can we show respect for something that belongs to everyone?

More to explore on Rangooo

Check the date on the festival calendar, test what you know in the festival quiz or the Indian national days quiz, read moral stories for kids together, let the story picker choose a tale for you, or set a few goals for the year with new year resolutions for kids. Later in the year, read about Independence Day for kids on 15 August and Gandhi Jayanti for kids on 2 October.

Questions

When is Republic Day in 2027?

Republic Day is on Tuesday 26 January 2027. It is a national public holiday in India.

What does Republic Day remember?

It remembers the day the Constitution of India came into force, 26 January 1950. The date was chosen because 26 January 1930 had been marked as Purna Swaraj Day, a call for complete self-rule.

Where is the main Republic Day parade held?

The main parade is held on Kartavya Path in New Delhi. Flag-hoisting events also take place in states, districts, schools and communities.

How should we treat paper flags?

The Flag Code of India says paper flags may be waved at national events, but afterwards they should not be thrown on the ground. They should be put away privately, with respect for the flag.