Governor-general C Rajagopalachari (C) declares India as a Republic at Darbar hall in New Delhi on January 26, 1950

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The Constitution of India came into force and India declared itself a Republic on January 26, 1950, a date thereafter celebrated annually as Republic Day in India. A look at the years of India's Republic in pics...

Governor-general C Rajagopalachari (C) declares India as a Republic at Darbar hall in New Delhi on January 26, 1950. (BCCL)

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Dr Rajendra Prasad being sworn in as the first President of Republic of India in New Delhi on January 26, 1950. (BCCL)

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National Emblem, which has three lions mounted on an abacus and is an adaptation from Ashoka's Sarnath Lion capital, was chosen as the official seal of the government of India on the Republic Day on January 26, 1950. (BCCL)

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Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru flanked by Independent India's last viceroy Lord Louis Mountbatten's wife Lady Edwina Mountbatten (right) and daughter Indira Gandhi (left) at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 1957. (BCCL)

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Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth being received by Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on alighting from the state carriage at the saluting base at Rajpath in New Delhi on January 26, 1961. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip with the President Dr Rajendra Prasad from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the saluting base to witness the Republic Day parade. (BCCL)

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Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (front, 3rd L) and other leaders of the freedom struggle at Rajpath on Republic Day in New Delhi. (BCCL)

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Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi with folk dancers on Republic Day in New Delhi on January 26, 1971. (BCCL)

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Prime Minister Indira Gandhi participating in a folk dance by Rajasthani folk dancers, during the Republic Day celebration on January 26, 1970. (BCCL)

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Cosmonaut Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma, who spent eight days in space on board the Salyut 7 space station, partakes in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 1985. (BCCL)

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Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh trying on a mask to be used for Indian Railway tableau on the Republic Day parade at Teen Murti House in New Delhi on January 25, 1990. (BCCL)