Republic Day marks the adoption of the country's Constitution on January 26, 1950. (AP Photo)
Thousands gathered in Delhi this morning amid tight security for the annual Republic Day parade, a spectacle of military might featuring camels and daredevil stuntmen, with French President Francois Hollande as the chief guest.
Here are the 10 big highlights:
A contingent of French infantry in India for joint military exercises led the march down the capital's central Rajpath avenue, the first time foreign forces have ever taken part in the parade.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited President Hollande as chief guest in a show of solidarity with France after Islamist attacks in Paris last November killed 130.
PM Modi, sporting a gold turban, and the French President were seated in a bulletproof glass enclosure.
An estimated 10,000 spectators braved thick smog and air quality levels classified as hazardous on the US embassy website to watch the display.
Luckily, the skies remained dry, unlike last year when chief guest US President Barack Obama was forced to shelter under an umbrella throughout.
The mounted camels of the Border Security Force -- an annual highlight -- put in an early showing, decorated in brightly coloured caparisons.
A dog squad drawn from the Army's Remount Veterinary Corps returned to the parade after a gap of 26 years to perform a march past wearing striped coats in their unit's colours.
The human pyramid on motorbikes, another annual tradition, was performed on Royal Enfields.
The parade marks the adoption of the country's Constitution on January 26, 1950 following independence from Britain in 1947.
It was the fifth time a French president has been chief guest, the biggest honour India can bestow on a foreign leader.
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