The change of guard is a long-standing military tradition conducted weekly to allow a fresh group of the President’s Bodyguards to take charge. Raised in 1773, the President’s Bodyguard (PBG) is the senior-most regiment of the Indian Army- skilled horsemen, tank operators, and paratroopers. They are tasked with ceremonial duties for the President.
“The ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan will now be held in a new format, featuring an elaborate visual and musical performance against the backdrop of the presidential palace, military drills by troops and horses of the President’s Bodyguard, along with personnel from the Ceremonial Guard Battalion and the Ceremonial Military Brass Band,” an official said in a statement on Sunday (February 16, 2025).
The display will be spread over a larger area, the statement added.
President Droupadi Murmu witnessed the inaugural ceremony in its new format on Sunday (February 16, 2025) at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, according to the statement issued by her office. The ceremony will be open to a larger number of visitors from February 22, the statement said.
Photo:
ANI
President Droupadi Murmu salutes during the inaugural show of the Change of Guard Ceremony in the new format at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
Photo:
ANI
President Droupadi Murmu witnesses the inaugural show of the Change of Guard Ceremony in the new format at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
Photo:
ANI
A glimpse of the inaugural show of the Change of Guard Ceremony in the new format at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
Photo:
ANI
Soldiers marching during the new format of the Change of Guard Ceremony at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
Photo:
ANI
Troops of the President’s Bodyguard performing military drills during the new format of the Change of Guard Ceremony at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
Photo:
ANI
Troops of the President’s Bodyguard performing military drills during the new format of the Change of Guard Ceremony at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
Photo:
ANI
Musical performance by the marching band of the President’s Bodyguard during the new format of the Change of Guard Ceremony at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
Photo:
ANI
Military drills by the horsemen of the President’s Bodyguard during the new format of the Change of Guard Ceremony at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
