On ceremonial occasions such as Republic Day, the President of India receives a gun salute of:

The President of India is given a 21-gun salute on ceremonial occasions such as Republic Day and Independence Day, and when he takes oath of office.

Meaning of a gun salute:

• A gun salute is the firing of cannons or artillery as a mark of honour.
• The number of rounds fired shows the rank of the person being honoured.
• The 21-gun salute is the highest honour of this kind.

Origin of the custom:

• The custom of firing gun salutes developed in naval traditions, where ships fired their guns to show that they meant no harm.
• Over time, odd numbers of guns became a mark of honour, and 21 guns were reserved for heads of state.

Gun salutes in India today:

• On Republic Day, as the National Flag is unfurled and the National Anthem is played, a 21-gun salute is fired.
• The salute is fired by the guns of an artillery regiment, and since 2023, indigenously made guns have been used.
• Visiting heads of state are also given a 21-gun salute during ceremonial welcomes at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Gun salutes in British India:

• Under British rule, princely states were classified by the number of guns in their salute.
• The rulers of the largest states, such as Hyderabad, Mysore, Baroda, Gwalior and Jammu and Kashmir, received 21-gun salutes.
• Smaller states received fewer, such as 19, 17, 15, 13, 11 or 9 guns.

Republic Day parade:

• The parade is held on Kartavya Path in New Delhi.
• The President takes the salute of the marching contingents.
• A foreign head of state or government is usually invited as the chief guest.
• The Beating Retreat ceremony on 29 January marks the end of the Republic Day celebrations.

Why not the other options?

• ✗17 and 19 guns were given to lesser princely rulers.
• ✗31 guns is not a standard salute in India.