Eye on winning best marching contingent award on R-Day again, Delhi Police use AI in a first

“We put one video or picture and compare it with another… AI is like an extra pair of eyes that has certainly enriched our feedback for improvement. It has a huge analytical power,” he said.

The Delhi Police contingent practices for four to five hours between 7 am and 12 noon every day at Kartavya Path. The officer said that this is the first time the Delhi Police is using AI to ensure better performance of their contingents during the parade.

When contacted, Joint Commissioner of Police (Delhi Armed Police) MN Tiwari confirmed the use of the technology in these practice sessions.

This year, the Delhi Police is participating with 148 personnel, including three sub-inspectors, 44 head constables, and 100 constables. They will be led by 2021-batch IPS officer Rishi Kumar.

A female band of Delhi Police, with 64 personnel led by sub-inspector Ruyangunuo Kense, is also among the participants. Kense is a female bandmaster.

Another officer said that with the use of AI, the instructors analyse the synchronisation, symmetry, and movements of the hands and legs of the marching contingents. “The contingents are almost ready for the full dress rehearsal scheduled for Thursday (January 23). We hope our jawans will perform at their best again to secure the award,” he said

Last year, the Delhi Police secured the ‘Best Marching Contingent’ trophy in the ‘Judges Choice Category’.

Since the formation of the force, the Delhi Police have secured 16 trophies out of 38 times they participated in the march past at Kartavya Path (formerly known as Rajpath), sources said. The force won the best trophy for the first time in 1987. In the past decade, they have secured the trophy four times – 2005, 2006, 2021 and 2024.