Delhi Police contingent at the 77th Republic Day parade rehearsal at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
The Delhi police will use AI-enabled smart spectacles equipped with an integrated facial recognition system and thermal imaging technology for Republic Day security measures, an officer said on Wednesday.
A senior officer told The Hindu that AjnaLens, an Indian company supplying XR (Extended Reality) technology-based devices to armed forces and Defence Research and Development Organisation, has provided 100 such smart spectacles to the Delhi police free of cost.
The smart spectacles will be distributed to officers stationed at the Kartavya Path and those in patrolling units.
According to Additional Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla, the smart spectacles will be linked to the police database, allowing personnel on the ground to instantly access the information. “With real-time update, these spectacles will help officers in scanning an individual or suspect at the Republic Day venue or other nearby areas,” said Mr. Mahla.
How smart spectacles work
When scanning, the smart spectacles show people in either red or green boxes. “A person appearing in a green box means no criminal involvement, and a criminal record when in red,” he said.
The smart spectacles are equipped with thermal imaging technology as well, which helps officers detect individuals carrying metal objects or concealed weapons. “This technology will significantly strengthen spot identification and reduce dependence on manual checking. The thermal imaging feature will assist officers in identifying suspicious objects or weapons that may not be visible to the naked eye,” the officer said.
Other security steps
Delhi Police has also enhanced CCTV surveillance, drone-based monitoring, and facial recognition software. “Vehicles making repetitive laps around the same area will also be under the radar of the patrolling staff,” the officer said.
For Republic Day, more than 10,000 officers will be stationed along the parade route and in key areas as part of a multi-layered security plan.
Published – January 22, 2026 01:34 am IST
