JAIPUR: The Pink City is painted olive green. In a historic first, the 78th Indian Army Day Parade will be held on a public road outside the cantonment area tomorrow, 15 January 2026, allowing common citizens to witness the might of the Indian Army up close.
The grand parade will take place on Mahal Road, Jagatpura, Jaipur, under the aegis of the Sapta Shakti (South Western) Command.
Why Is This Year Special?
Until a few years ago, the main Army Day parade was traditionally held at Army parade grounds in Delhi, and more recently at cantonment locations in cities such as Bengaluru and Lucknow. In 2026, Jaipur will host the marquee parade on a civilian avenue for the first time, taking the celebrations out of the cantonment and into the heart of the city.
- Venue: Mahal Road, Jagatpura, Jaipur (public route between NRI Circle and Bombay Hospital Circle)
- Time: Spectators have been asked to be seated by around 8:00 AM, with the main parade expected between about 10:00 AM and 12:25 PM IST.
- Guests of Honour: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi will attend the event, with the Army Chief expected to review the parade. Gallantry awards and unit citations will also be presented during associated Army Day ceremonies in Jaipur under Sapta Shakti Command.
Top Attractions to Watch
The 2026 Army Day parade in Jaipur promises to be a tech-heavy spectacle with a strong public connect.
Bhairav Battalion Debut
The newly raised “Bhairav Battalion” – a light commando unit trained in drone and hybrid warfare – will march in the Army Day parade for the first time. These Bhairav light commando battalions evolve from the Ghatak concept and are designed as agile “shock troops” equipped with integrated drones, ISR and electronic warfare tools.
Robotic “Robo Dogs” & MULES
One of the most talked-about attractions is the Army’s robotic “dogs” – AI-enabled Multi-Utility Legged Equipment (MULE) platforms for surveillance and logistics in high-risk terrain. These robotic systems, showcased during rehearsals on Mahal Road, have already drawn huge attention on social media.
Aerial Flypast
Over the Jaipur skyline, spectators can expect a powerful flypast featuring:
- AH-64E Apache attack helicopters
- Indigenous Prachand Light Combat Helicopters (LCH)
- Other Army aviation assets performing coordinated manoeuvres over Mahal Road
New-Age Tech & Firepower
The parade and accompanying displays will also highlight the Army’s future-ready capabilities:
- Swarm drone formations and drone shows over Jaipur and at SMS Stadium
- Pinaka multi-barrel rocket systems, artillery guns and air defence platforms
- Infantry combat vehicles, tanks and advanced surveillance systems
Quick Updates:
- Event: 78th Indian Army Day Parade
- Date: 15 January 2026
- Location: Mahal Road, Jagatpura, Jaipur (public route)
- Key Highlights: Bhairav Battalion debut, tech-driven equipment columns, robotic MULE “robo dogs”, Apache & Prachand flypast, swarm drones and rocket systems
- Live Stream: DD National / DD News and the Indian Army (ADGPI) YouTube channel
Traffic Advisory for Jaipur
With around 1.2 lakh spectators expected for Jaipur’s first-ever Army Day parade, the city police have issued an extensive traffic advisory.
Closed Route:
- Mahal Road (NRI Circle to Bombay Hospital Circle) will remain closed / barricaded for general traffic from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM on 15 January 2026.
Diversions:
- Traffic from Khatu Shyam Circle will be diverted via Haldighati Marg and VIT Road.
- Traffic from Vidhani Chowk will move towards Kendriya Vihar Marg / IT Park Road instead of Mahal Road.
- Internal roads in Pratap Nagar and Jagatpura will remain open to help local residents move within colonies.
Commuters have been advised to avoid Mahal Road during the morning hours, follow police instructions on diversions, and allow extra travel time due to large crowds and VVIP movement.
Why Is Army Day Celebrated?
Army Day is observed on 15 January every year to commemorate the historic day in 1949 when Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, succeeding General Sir Francis Butcher of the British Indian Army.
The day honours the courage, sacrifice and professionalism of Indian soldiers and is marked by parades, investiture ceremonies and public outreach events across the country.
