Pre-dawn coverage focused on security preparations at Kartavya Path, with 7,000 CCTV cameras and 60,000 personnel deployed. The 76th Republic Day parade featured Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as chief guest, marking Indonesia's fifth appearance in this role since independence.
By mid-morning, attention shifted to revelations about 13 Indians from UP forced into Russian combat zones, with three dead and eight missing. This development coincided with Trump administration's decision to block Bangladesh's US aid access.
Evening coverage revealed an attack on MLA Umesh Kumar's office in Haridwar, with former BJP legislator Pranav Champion arrested for firing. The media simultaneously reported on an Ambedkar statue vandalization in Amritsar, triggering Dalit protests. These incidents occurred against backdrop of Yogi Adityanath's controversial "Sanatana Dharma is national religion" statement at NDTV Kumbh Samvaad.