Gujarat tops Republic Day popular choice for fourth consecutive year

Gandhinagar | Gujarat — Gujarat’s tableau, based on the theme _“Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram,”_ drew widespread public interest at the National Parade held at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on the 77th Republic Day. The tableau won first place in the Popular Choice Award category for the fourth consecutive year. 

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel tweeted on X saying, “The tableau, prepared by the Information Commissioner’s Office, has created history by winning the award four years in a row, adding that the people appreciated its portrayal of patriotism and the contributions of Gujarat’s freedom fighters”

The Defence Ministry conducted voting on the MyGov portal from January 26 to January 27, until 11.45 pm. Gujarat’s tableau led the voting from the first hour and sustained its lead through the second day, winning the top position in the People’s Choice category with 43% of the total votes. Uttar Pradesh followed with 9%, while the remaining 15 states received the rest of the votes. At this year’s national parade, the Gujarat tableau depicted the journey of the Swadeshi mantra of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance). It traced India’s path from the freedom movement of Vande Mataram and the Swadeshi movement to the vision of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Gujarat’s success in the Popular Choice category began at the 74th Republic Day National Parade in 2023 with the tableau _‘Gujarat Leads with Clean Green Energy’,_ showcasing initiatives aligned with the Prime Minister’s call for increased use of renewable energy. In 2024, at the 75th Republic Day Parade, the _‘Dhordo, World’s Best Tourism Village – UNWTO’_ tableau won first place in the Popular Choice category and second place in the Jury’s Choice category for Excellence of Tableaus. In 2025, the tableau _‘From Anartpur to Ektanagar – A Wonderful Confluence of Heritage and Development’_ won the Popular Choice Award, and in 2026, Gujarat’s tableau on _‘Swatantrata Ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’_ continued the winning streak. 

The award will be presented to Gujarat in the presence of the Union Minister of State for Defence at the Republic Day closing ceremony at the National Rang Shala Shibir in New Delhi on January 30.