New Delhi: The Indian Army marked its 78th Army Day on Thursday with a grand parade in Jaipur, Rajasthan, showcasing its growing combat strength, indigenous weapon systems and organisational reforms. Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi attended the celebrations held at Mahal Road in Jagatpura, marking the first time the prestigious Army Day parade was conducted outside a traditional cantonment area.
The event was attended by several senior dignitaries, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde and other senior civil and military officials. The historic shift in venue reflected the Army’s increasing engagement with the public and its evolving operational outlook.
The parade was held under the theme “Seva Paramo Dharmaḥ – Service Before Self,” underscoring the Indian Army’s ethos of discipline, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to national service. Marching contingents, mechanised columns and aerial displays highlighted the Army’s preparedness to protect the country across diverse and challenging environments.
A major highlight of the parade was the display of advanced artillery, missile and rocket systems that form the backbone of India’s deterrence capability. Among the systems showcased was the BrahMos cruise missile, capable of striking targets at distances of up to 800 kilometres from land, sea and underwater platforms. The Pinaka multi barrel rocket launcher, recently tested with long range guided rockets extending up to 120 kilometres, also featured prominently.
Other combat systems on display included the upgraded BM 21 Grad launcher and the long range SMERCH rocket system, reflecting the Army’s focus on firepower modernisation. The Indian Air Force also demonstrated its integrated air defence capability with the indigenous Akashteer system, equipped with medium range surface to air missiles that proved effective during recent high threat operations.
The parade also marked the first public appearance of the newly raised Bhairav Battalion, a specialised unit created as part of the Army’s restructuring efforts. Positioned between the Para Special Forces and regular infantry, the battalion has been designed to deliver swift and precise offensive responses in modern warfare scenarios.
Drawing lessons from global conflicts and recent operations, the Bhairav Battalion represents the Army’s shift towards agility, technology driven warfare and rapid response capabilities. The 78th Army Day celebrations reflected India’s growing self reliance in defence and the Army’s readiness to meet future security challenges.
