Indian Army Celebrates 78th Army Day with Grand Parade in Jaipur

Jaipur, January 2026 : The Indian Army celebrated its 78th Army Day on Thursday with full military pride and discipline at Mahal Road, Jagatpura in Jaipur. This was the fourth time the Army Day parade was held outside Delhi and the first-ever occasion it was organised in a non-civil area. Rajasthan had the honour of hosting the historic event for the first time.

The grand and historic display of military excellence, glorious traditions and national pride was witnessed by Governor Shri Haribhau Kishanrao Bagade, Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma, Governor of Mizoram General (Retd.) V.K. Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Sapta Shakti Command Army Commander Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, along with several senior military officers and distinguished civilian dignitaries.

Display of Indigenous Weapons and New Technologies

The parade was inspected and the salute was taken by Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, while Lieutenant General Harvinder Singh, Chief of Staff, South Western Command, led the grand parade. The Indian Army showcased its valour, courage and indomitable strength. Indigenous military capabilities, modern weapon systems and emerging technologies drew admiration from dignitaries and the general public alike. The theme of this year’s Army Day was “Indian Army – Valour and Sacrifice.”
Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Vir Chakra attended the parade as special guests.

Major attractions included displays of indigenous BrahMos missiles, Bhishma and Arjun tanks, K-9 Vajra artillery guns, BMP vehicles, 155 mm Amogh, NAMIS (Nag Missile System), Pinaka rocket launcher system, Shilka weapon system, drone power, drone jammer technology and electric all-terrain vehicles. March-past contingents from seven Indian Army regiments, including the newly raised Bhairav Battalion, participated in the parade.

Advanced military systems such as robotic mules, Swathi Weapon Locating Radar, modular bridging systems, multi-barrel rocket systems, vehicle-mounted infantry mortar systems, mobile communication nodes and Ajay Ketu all-terrain vehicles were also showcased. The participation of various Indian Army bands along with the Nepal Army Band highlighted the special military ties between India and Nepal. Emphasising women’s growing role in defence, a Girls NCC contingent also took part in the march-past.

Five Soldiers Awarded Sena Medal Posthumously

Before the parade, Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, Lance Naik Subhash Kumar and Lance Naik Pradeep Kumar were posthumously honoured with the Sena Medal (Gallantry) for their exceptional bravery during Operation ‘Sindoor’ and other operations.

The event also reflected the spirit of a self-reliant and new India, enriched by Rajasthan’s vibrant cultural heritage, colourful tableaux inspired by Bharatpur’s Phoolon Ki Holi, and captivating folk dances such as Kachhi Ghodi, Dangal, Gair and Kalbelia.

Three Chetak helicopters showered flower petals while flying with the Tricolour and the Joint Services Flag, and Apache and other helicopters performed impressive aerial formations. Thrilling stunts by the Army Service Corps’ Tornado motorcycle team, aerial displays by paratroopers, and the thunderous flypast of three Jaguar fighter aircraft from Nal Air Base marked a spectacular conclusion to the parade.

A large number of dignitaries, citizens, veterans, youth and students witnessed and celebrated this historic occasion.