Up to 75% of women will march in contingents from the three defense services and other uniformed personnel during this year's Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path, authorities informed The Indian Express on Wednesday.

According to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the Ministry of Defence and the relevant governments on Wednesday, all states and union territories will have an equal opportunity to showcase their tableaus during the next three Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path. This information was released by senior government officials.

Up to 75% of women will march in contingents from the three defense services and other uniformed personnel during this year's Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path, authorities informed The Indian Express on Wednesday.

The opposition-led states, notably Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann (Aam Aadmi Party) and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (Congress), have expressed dissatisfaction with the tableaux's rejection. As a result, the revised selection procedure for the tableaux has been clarified.

The three-year rolling plan for the Republic Day tableaux exhibition, according to the officials, was implemented last year after senior officials from the states and union territories and Defense Secretary Giridhar Aramane participated in a consultative process to choose the displays. Additionally, they stated that the tableaux of 16 states and union territories were chosen for display during the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 following four meetings of an expert committee. They emphasized that the selection process was "transparent," "consultative," and guaranteed "equal opportunity" for all.

Described | How the Republic Day parade tableaux are selected

In this year's Republic Day parade, a number of states and union territories, including Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and others, will display tableaus. In addition, as per the three-year rotational plan mentioned in the MoU, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, and other states would take part in Bharat Parv at Red Fort from January 23 to January 31. An expert group nominated by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts chooses the tableaux.

The draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the three-year parade participation plan (2024–2026) is now being reviewed by the states. Under the new initiative, states will be informed in advance about tableaux that are shown. This year's omitted tableaux take precedence over the subsequent two. States are encouraged to work with the thirty entities that were chosen for the design and construction of the tableau. 'Nari Shakti' will be the focal point of most marching contingents this year, with up to 75% of participants being women.