New Delhi: On the 77th Republic Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi donning a vibrant, multi-coloured brocade-embellished turban, underscoring his long-running sartorial tradition at national ceremonies.
Across the years, PM Modi’s Republic Day look — especially his choice of turbans and traditional headgear — has become a distinctive hallmark of the celebrations, drawing attention for its blend of cultural reference, regional artistry and festive exuberance. Here’s how his style has changed year by year:
2026
For the 77th Republic Day parade, Modi chose a brightly patterned turban featuring red, orange, purple, green and yellow shades with gold brocade work, paired with a light-blue bandhgala coat and white churidar — reinforcing his affinity for colourful and culturally rooted fashion.
2025
At last year’s Republic Day, the Prime Minister sported a saffron-and-red safa — traditional Indian headgear — perfectly matched with a brown bandhgala coat and cream churidar. The look emphasised classical Indian colour symbolism and craftsmanship.
2024
Modi’s 2024 attire for the 75th Republic Day featured a Bandhani-print turban in shades of saffron, pink, yellow and white, paired with an old-style white cotton kurta-pyjama and a brown sadri. This multi-coloured tie-dye textile, rooted in Rajasthani and Gujarati crafts, was a fashion highlight of the celebrations.
2023
In 2023, the Prime Minister opted for a traditional pheta with bright tones — including orange, red, green, yellow and white — coupled with a cream churidar, black bandhagala coat and a silk scarf. This classic look underscored India’s diverse cultural motifs.
2022
For Republic Day 2022, Mr Modi chose a slightly more subdued but culturally specific style: a traditional kurta-pyjama and grey check-embroidered jacket, paired with a Uttarakhand cap, scarf, and a Brahma Kamal brooch symbolising the state’s flower.
2021
In the 2021 celebrations, he wore a bright red ‘Halari Pagdi’ — a bandhej (tie-dye) turban gifted by the royal family of Jamnagar, Gujarat — adorned with yellow dots, paired with a traditional kurta and pyjama.
2020 and Earlier
Modi’s Republic Day turbans have long celebrated India’s textile arts: 2020 saw a saffron bandhej turban with a tail, reflecting Rajasthan and Gujarat’s artistic heritage.
In earlier years (from his first Republic Day as PM in 2014 onwards), he wore a varied array of colourful turbans — from bright red bandhej and yellow with golden lines to multi-hued Rajasthani safas — each representing a fusion of regional craft and festive symbolism.
Why It Matters:
While Republic Day focuses on India’s democratic values, the Prime Minister’s annual choice of headgear has become an unofficial cultural statement — showcasing regional richness, artisanal traditions and a celebratory spirit on one of the nation’s most symbolic days.
