Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Delhi Police Deploy Facial Recognition, Biometrics for Red Fort Security
India's Independence Day is on August 15.
Many people will celebrate at a famous fort in Delhi called the Red Fort.
About 25,000 people may come, including very important guests.
The police want to make sure everyone is safe.
They will send thousands of officers to guard the fort.
Police will use special cameras that can look at people's faces and check if they have been in trouble with the police before.
They will also use a phone app called Abhigyan that checks fingerprints quickly.
If the app shows red, the person has a criminal record; if it shows green, they are clear.
Snipers and anti-drone systems will also be watching from above.
With all these helpers, the police hope everyone has a safe and happy celebration.
Around 15,000 to 20,000 Delhi Police, paramilitary and other personnel will be deployed around the Red Fort for Independence Day celebrations on August 15.
For the first time, the Delhi Police will use the Abhigyan (also spelled Abhigyaan) app along with its Facial Recognition System to identify wanted and suspicious persons in crowds.
The Abhigyan app, linked to the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System, checks fingerprints within seconds - a red indication means a criminal record and green means no record found.
Nearly 1,000 CCTV cameras, FRS vans, snipers and anti-drone systems have been deployed; the FRS database holds nearly three lakh records while the app holds over one crore criminal records.
Nearly 25,000 people, including VIPs and VVIPs, are expected at the 'Vande Mataram'-themed event, where kite flying has been prohibited around the monument.
- Who
- Delhi Police, paramilitary forces, the National Security Guard (NSG) and other agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs' smart policing initiative, with preparations led by officers including DCP North Raja Banthia.
- What
- Multi-layered security around the Red Fort, including the first-time use of the Abhigyan app and the Facial Recognition System, supported by CCTV, FRS vans, snipers and anti-drone systems.
- When
- Ahead of and during the Independence Day celebrations on August 15, with preparations underway for several days.
- Where
- Around the Red Fort in Delhi, with surveillance extending several kilometres beyond the monument.
- Why
- To identify wanted or suspicious persons amid intelligence inputs and protect a large crowd of nearly 25,000, including VIPs and VVIPs, during the national event.
- Event
- Independence Day celebrations with 'Vande Mataram' theme
- Date
- August 15
- Location
- Red Fort, Delhi
- Security personnel
- 15,000-20,000 (Delhi Police, paramilitary forces, NSG)
- Expected attendees
- Nearly 25,000, including VIPs and VVIPs
- New technology
- Abhigyan/Abhigyaan app and Facial Recognition System (first time)
- Criminal databases
- FRS: nearly 3 lakh records; Abhigyan app: over 1 crore records
- Other measures
- ~1,000 CCTV cameras, FRS vans, snipers, anti-drone systems, 24/7 control room; kite flying prohibited
