- French army contingent becomes the first-ever foreign military group to march in the parade
For the first time in the history of the Republic Day, foreign troops joined the celebrations as soldiers from France’s 35th Infantry Regiment, one of the country’s oldest active regiments, marched alongside their Indian counterparts. France’s participation was a reciprocal gesture after Indian troops marched down Paris’s Champs-Elysees on Bastille Day in 2009.
- Army dog squad returns after 26 years
After 26 years, the Indian Army’s unsung heroes returned to the parade. A dog squad drawn from the Army’s Remount Veterinary Corps – clad in maroon and gold striped coats – marched along with dog handlers. The squad, comprising Labradors and German Shepherds, works in the restive northern region of Kashmir detecting explosives and landmines and tracking avalanches. Only 36 of 1,200 army dogs were chosen and underwent weeks of training in preparation for the march.
- Ex-servicemen tableau instead of a march
Instead of a marching contingent of former servicemen, there was a tableau dedicated to the Army veterans in the first part of the parade.
- Motorised sliding glass roof for VVIPs
It rained on the Republic Day parade last year, forcing the then guest, US President Barack Obama, to take shelter under a large umbrella, in what was said to be an embarrassment for the organisers. This year, the VVIP enclosure had a motorised sliding glass roof in case there was rain. The roof was rolled back for the Air Force fly past for a clearer view of the spectacle.
- Bravery award-winning children at the end of the parade
Young recipients of the National Awards for Bravery marched only towards the end of the parade. In earlier Republic Day parades, the children rode on elephants, in what used to be one of the highlights of the parade.