Today India marks its 69th Republic Day. The celebrations will begin at 9 am with the flag-hoisting ceremony by President Ram Nath Kovind, after which the Republic Day parade will start from Rajpath at 9.50 am.

This year’s Republic Day is special in a way that there is not one, but 10 chief guests at the event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited all ASEAN leaders to be a part of celebrations. Republic Day honors the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950 replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India.

The Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950 with a democratic government system, completing the country's transition towards becoming an independent republic. 26 January was chosen as the Republic day because it was on this day in 1930 when Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress as opposed to the Dominion status offered by British Regime.

Here are the latest updates and development from Republic Day celebrations today:

-Chhattisgarh: Chief Minister Raman Singh at #RepublicDay celebrations in Bastar.

-Home Minister Rajnath Singh unfurls tricolor at his residence in Delhi #RepublicDay