Sun Feb 16 12:47:52 UTC 2025: ## Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Change of Guard Ceremony Gets a Spectacle Upgrade
**New Delhi, [Date of Publication]** – The centuries-old Change of Guard ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan has undergone a significant transformation, evolving into a grander, more visually stunning spectacle. President Droupadi Murmu witnessed the inaugural performance of the revamped ceremony on Sunday.
The new format, which will be open to the public from February 22nd, features an expanded display incorporating military drills by the President’s Bodyguard (PBG) – including both troops and horses – along with personnel from the Ceremonial Guard Battalion and the Ceremonial Military Brass Band. The ceremony, previously confined to a smaller area between the Jaipur Column and gate number 1, now utilizes the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, dramatically increasing spectator capacity to over a thousand.
Sunday’s ceremony showcased synchronized movements, precision drills, and musical performances, highlighting the discipline and heritage of the Indian armed forces. The expanded scale includes elaborate visual and musical elements designed to enhance the overall experience for attendees.
First introduced as a ceremonial event in 2007 and opened to the public in 2012, the weekly Change of Guard ceremony marks the formal handover of duties between outgoing and incoming guards of the President’s Bodyguard, the Indian Army’s oldest regiment (established in 1773). The PBG, renowned for its skilled horsemen, tank operators, and paratroopers, continues to perform its ceremonial duties for the President.
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