New Criminal Justice Codes India Showcased Through Republic Day Tableau

The Union government will use the Republic Day parade to present a visual narrative of India’s transformed criminal law framework. On January 24, 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that a dedicated tableau at the Republic Day celebrations will highlight the nationwide implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.

These laws, collectively described by the government as the “Naveen Nyaya Sanhitas,” came into force on July 1, 2024. They replaced the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act, all of which traced their origins to the colonial era. The Republic Day tableau is intended to showcase the philosophy, objectives, and operational changes introduced by the new criminal justice codes India has adopted.

According to the government, the tableau will reflect the shift toward an Indian-centric justice philosophy supported by technology, efficiency, and victim-oriented outcomes.

What the Government Announced Ahead of Republic Day

The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the Republic Day tableau will focus on the rollout and implementation of the new criminal justice codes India now follows. The display will present how the new legal framework seeks to modernize criminal law administration while moving away from colonial-era constructs.

The government has described the three new statutes as foundational to reforming how crimes are defined, investigated, tried, and proven in court. By choosing Republic Day as the platform, the Centre has positioned the reforms as part of a broader constitutional and governance narrative.

The tableau, as announced, will visually depict the core objectives of the new criminal justice codes India has implemented since mid 2024.

The Three New Criminal Justice Codes Explained

The new criminal justice codes India now follows consist of three separate but interconnected laws.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita replaces the Indian Penal Code and sets out offences and punishments. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita has taken the place of the Code of Criminal Procedure and governs investigation, arrest, trial, and procedural safeguards. The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam replaces the Indian Evidence Act and regulates how evidence is collected, presented, and evaluated in criminal proceedings.

Together, these laws form a comprehensive overhaul of criminal law. The government has stated that the intent is to create a justice system that is simpler, faster, and more responsive to Indian conditions.

From Colonial Framework to Indian Justice Philosophy

One of the key messages expected to be highlighted in the Republic Day tableau is the departure from colonial-era legal frameworks. The laws replaced by the new criminal justice codes India adopted were enacted during British rule and carried assumptions and structures rooted in colonial governance.

The government has repeatedly stated that the Naveen Nyaya Sanhitas reflect an Indian justice philosophy. This includes a greater focus on victim rights, community-based resolutions for minor offences, and clearer procedural timelines.

The tableau is expected to visually contrast the old and new systems, underscoring how criminal law in India has been reimagined for contemporary governance.

Technology as a Central Theme of the Tableau

A major feature of the Republic Day display will be the emphasis on technology-enabled justice delivery. The government has identified digital integration as a defining feature of the new criminal justice codes India has rolled out.

The tableau will reportedly highlight initiatives such as e-Sakshya, which enables digital documentation and storage of evidence. It will also showcase the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System, known as NAFIS, which uses biometric data to support criminal investigations.

Virtual courts and digital case management systems are also expected to be depicted as part of the broader ecosystem supporting the new laws. These elements are intended to demonstrate how criminal justice administration is being aligned with modern technological capabilities.

Community Service and Alternative Punishments

Another theme expected to feature prominently is the introduction of community service as a punishment for certain minor offences. Under the new criminal justice codes India has implemented, courts have the option to impose community service instead of traditional custodial sentences for select categories of offences.

The government has presented this shift as part of a broader effort to make punishment more proportionate and reform-oriented. The tableau is expected to depict how this approach aims to reduce overcrowding in prisons while promoting accountability within communities.

This aspect of the reforms reflects a move away from purely punitive models toward corrective and restorative elements within the criminal justice system.

Nationwide Implementation Since July 2024

The new criminal justice codes India adopted came into effect across the country on July 1, 2024. Since then, states and union territories have been engaged in implementing the revised procedures, updating police manuals, training personnel, and integrating digital systems.

The Republic Day tableau is intended to mark this nationwide rollout and signal that the reforms are no longer conceptual but operational. By showcasing implementation rather than legislative passage, the government has sought to emphasize execution and governance.

The display will serve as a public communication tool, presenting the reforms to a national and international audience watching the parade.

Symbolism of Republic Day as the Platform

Republic Day commemorates the coming into force of the Indian Constitution. Using the occasion to showcase the new criminal justice codes India follows carries symbolic significance.

The government has framed the reforms as aligned with constitutional values such as justice, equality, and dignity. Presenting them on Republic Day situates the new laws within the broader constitutional journey of the country.

The tableau format allows the government to communicate complex legal reforms through visual storytelling, making the changes accessible to a wider audience beyond legal professionals.

Governance and Administrative Messaging

The Republic Day tableau also serves as a governance statement. By highlighting technology, efficiency, and Indian legal philosophy, the government is projecting a narrative of institutional modernization.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has described the reforms as aimed at creating a criminal justice system that is citizen-centric and time-bound. The tableau is expected to reflect this messaging through depictions of streamlined procedures, digital interfaces, and coordinated institutions.

This presentation aligns with broader administrative reforms that emphasize digitization and service delivery.

Public Awareness and Outreach

Beyond symbolism, the tableau plays a role in public awareness. Criminal law reforms are often technical and difficult for the general public to understand. The Republic Day parade provides a platform to simplify and communicate the essence of the new criminal justice codes India has adopted.

By visually depicting features such as digital evidence, biometric systems, and alternative punishments, the government aims to familiarize citizens with the changes that now govern criminal proceedings.

This outreach element is particularly significant given the scale of the overhaul and its implications for everyday interactions with the criminal justice system.

Positioning Criminal Law Reform as National Achievement

The decision to feature the new criminal justice codes India has implemented in a Republic Day tableau places criminal law reform alongside other national achievements traditionally showcased at the parade.

This positioning suggests that the government views the replacement of colonial-era laws as a milestone in India’s legislative and governance history. The tableau is expected to frame the reforms as part of India’s journey toward institutional self-definition and modernization.

Such framing reinforces the narrative of reform as an ongoing process tied to national identity.

What the Tableau Will and Will Not Convey

The Republic Day tableau is designed to present the vision and objectives of the new criminal justice codes India follows. It is not intended to delve into legal debates, challenges, or critiques surrounding the reforms.

The display will focus on themes of transformation, technology, and Indian legal philosophy rather than detailed legal provisions. As with most tableaux, the emphasis will be on symbolism and storytelling rather than technical detail.

This approach aligns with the purpose of the parade as a public spectacle and national showcase.

Conclusion

The Union government’s decision to showcase the new criminal justice codes India has adopted through a Republic Day tableau marks a significant moment in the public presentation of criminal law reform. By highlighting the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, the government has underscored the scale and ambition of the changes implemented since July 2024.

The tableau will present a narrative of transition from colonial-era laws to an Indian justice philosophy supported by technology and administrative reform. As Republic Day unfolds, the display will serve as a visual reminder of how deeply criminal law has been restructured and how central these reforms are to the government’s vision of modern governance.