New Delhi

The six marching contingents of the Indian Army will don different uniforms, including the new one, on Rajpath in the Republic Day parade on January 26, a top officer said on Sunday.

There will be a total of 16 marching contingents in the parade.

"There will be 8 contingents of the Indian Armed Forces in the Republic Day Parade, which will include 6 contingents of Army, one each from Air Force and the Navy. Four would be from Central Armed Police Forces, one from Delhi Police two from National Cadet Corps and one from NSS," Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area said.

General Kacker said the Indian Army marching contingents in the parade will showcase how uniforms and arms have evolved over the decades,

The Army contingents will be wearing uniforms from three decades, the present-day olive green and the new combat uniform unveiled at the Army Day parade this year.

The first contingent of the Rajput Regiment will be wearing the uniform from 1950 and will march with .303 rifles.

Assam regiment, the second contingent, will be wearing the uniform from 1960 and will carry .303 rifles.

Troops from Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry will be in the uniform from 1970 along with the 7.62 mm rifle.

Sikh Light Infantry and Army Ordnance Corps will don the present-day olive green and will carry INSAS rifles.

The sixth contingent will be of Parachute regiment soldiers who will wear the new combat uniform.

Each marching contingent will comprise 96 soldiers instead of the usual 144 so that proper attention can be given to Covid-19 protocol.

The Army will also showcase mechanized weapons from the vintage to the present-day era.