In a first, the Delhi Police are set to have an all-women contingent marching down the Kartavya Path as part of the Republic Day parade this year, officials said.

In this contingent, all the participants will be women police officers of the city force, most hailing from Northeast states, said officials.

Special Commissioner of Police (Armed Unit) Robin Hibu said this will be done to bridge the gap between women and men in the police force and showcase the women's skills through cultural programmes.

IPS officer Shweta K Sugathan will lead 194 women constables and head constables in the parade on January 26. The contingent is currently undergoing a daily practice session at Kartavya Path and most of them have been recruited by the Delhi Police Armed Unit.

The women's pipe band of the Delhi Police will also be led by a woman officer, Ruyangunuo Kense, as compared to last time when a male officer, Inspector Rajender Singh, led it. The women's pipe band plays the Delhi Police song every year and comprises 135 constables and head constables.

The defence ministry had last year asked all the forces, state governments and departments participating in the Republic Day parade to have women participants in their contingents, bands and tableaux.

The Delhi Police's marching contingent has a unique distinction of participating in every Republic Day parade ever since India became a Republic on January 26, 1950, officials said.

It has been adjudged the best marching contingent 15 times — the last being 2021. Its motto is 'Shanti, Seva aur Nyaya', meaning 'Peace, Service and Justice'.