New Delhi: On the eve of 73rd Republic Day on January 26, 2022, President Ram Nath Kovind will lead the country in celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ across the country. Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, this year's parade will witness a smaller turnout of around 24,000 people at Rajpath.


Here's a sneak peek at all that will happen this time:-


Time and place of the parade


At a first, the parade will begin half an hour later than usual. With foggy days anticipated around January 26, the parade will begin at 10.30 am instead of 10 am for better visibility, the Defence Ministry has decided.


"Since it is being predicted that it will be a foggy morning for a better viewing experience for spectators at the parade, 10 large LED screens - five on each side of Rajpath - will be installed," a senior Defence Ministry official said today.


Also, the parade will commence from Raisina Hills and goes through Rajpath, India Gate till Red Fort would now only go up to the National Stadium.







Features Of Republic Day Parade 2022


According to the PTI, 16 marching contingents would participate in this year's parade from which eight will be from the Indian Armed Forces, four of the Central Armed Police Force, two of NCC, and one each of Delhi Police and NSS.



This time, a mounted column of cavalry, 14 mechanised columns, six marching contingents, and a flypast by advanced light helicopters of its aviation wing will represent the army.


Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra, General Officer Commanding Delhi Area, will be the parade commander, and Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff Delhi Area, will be the second-in-command of the parade.


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Grandest and largest flypast


To mark the ‘Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav’ celebrations, this year we will see the "grandest and largest" flypast ever with the participation of 75 aircraft.


According to IAF PRO Wing Commander Indranil Nandi's statement to ANI, the five Rafale will fly over the Rajpath in the Vinaash formation, while 17 Jaguar fighter aircraft will fly in the shape of the number '75'.






Meanwhile, the ALH in Rudra formation along with four Mi17 V5 aircraft will also be a part of the largest flypast.


Tableaux at the Republic Day Parade 2022


According to the Indian Army said in a statement on Saturday, the parade will have a total of 25 tableaux of various states, departments, and armed forces.


An aggregate of 12 floats from the states will participate and the rest will come from the various ministries and the Armed Forces.


The theme for the tableaux is ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, which is intended to remember 75 years of Independence.


This year also, following the earlier year, there will be no chief guest. This is the second year straight that India has had no chief guest in the Republic Day march considering the COVID-19 circumstance in the country.


Crowds at Republic Day Parade 2022


As the country is going through a spike in COVID-19 cases, the number of people at the parade has also been curtailed.


Only, 24,000 individuals will be permitted to go to the Republic Day march this year.


For people attending the parade, the Delhi police have also issued a set of guidelines that states that people attending the parade must be fully vaccinated against COVID, and children below 15 years of age will not be allowed to attend the function.


According to the police, it is also stated that the people should follow COVID-protocols including masks and maintaining social distancing, at the function.