Shortened list of events, a shorter route, no chief guest, fewer spectators, no children under 15 in the annual parade, and fewer soldiers in the Army and Navy contingents.

NEW DELHI (TIP): India celebrated its 72nd Republic Day parade on January 26 with a shortened program because of the coronavirus pandemic. Apart from a reduced list of events, the parade saw a shorter route, no chief guest, fewer spectators, no children under 15 in the annual parade, and fewer soldiers in the Army and Navy contingents. However, the newly inducted Rafale fighter jet was among the many stars on show, as was a Bangladeshi tri-service contingent that led the parade on the 50th anniversary of the 1971 India-Pakistan war.