The parade started at 10:30 am. A flypast by 75 aircraft and helicopters is the highlight of this year's parade. The parade, led by Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra, started after the tricolour was unfurled with a 21-gun salute. Strict Covid protocol was in place as only 5 thousand people attended the celebrations at Rajpath.

Only double-vaccinated adults and single-dose vaccinated children of 15 and above were allowed. Due to the pandemic, there will be no foreign contingent this year. Ahead of the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to India's fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial.