What is the role of President’s Bodyguard (PBG)?

• President Droupadi Murmu virtually flagged off the President’s Bodyguard (PBG) Soldierathon from a ceremony held at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 2.

• General V.K. Singh (retd), Governor of Mizoram, who is the patron of the initiative was also present. 

• President Murmu also released the special postal cover to commemorate the occasion. 

• The venue of the race was Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi Cantonment.

• The Soldierathon celebrates the 253-year-old legacy of PBG. 

• It also commemorates 27 years of the Kargil war.

• Proceeds of Soldierathon are utilised to support the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre of Armed Forces, welfare of wards of battle casualties, etc. 

• PBG Soldierathon intends to support the horses and troops of the PBG.

Key facts about President’s Bodyguard (PBG):

• The President’s Bodyguard is the oldest regiment in the Indian Army.

• It was raised as the Governor-General’s Bodyguard (later the Viceroy’s Bodyguard) in 1773 at Benares (now Varanasi). 

• Raja Chet Singh of Benaras significantly contributed to its formation by providing 50 horses and 50 troops. 

• The original charter mandated the regiment to accompany the Governor in times of war and to serve as a ceremonial bodyguard during peacetime. 

• This spirit was retained through subsequent re-designations, the Governor General’s Bodyguard, and the Viceroy’s Bodyguard in 1857, continuing until India’s independence.

• During World War I and World War II, the regiment was modernised, acquiring Armoured Personnel Carriers in 1942. 

• By 1944, it was designated as the 44 Division Reconnaissance Squadron of the 44th Indian Airborne Division, marking the establishment as the first Airborne Cavalry Regiment.

• As the President of India’s own Guard, it has the unique distinction of being the only military unit of the Indian Army that is privileged to carry the President’s Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. 

• This distinction was conferred on the President’s Bodyguard in 1923 by the then Viceroy, Lord Reading, on the occasion of the Bodyguard completing 150 years of service. 

• Each succeeding Viceroy, thereafter, presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the Bodyguard.

• On January 27, 1950, the regiment was renamed the President’s Bodyguard. 

• Every President has continued the practice of honouring the regiment. 

• Rather than a coat of arms, as was the practice in the colonial era, the monogram of the President appears on the banner. 

• Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, presented his Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the President’s Bodyguard on May 14, 1957.

• PBG is the household ceremonial cavalry Regiment of the President, stationed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

• Its soldiers are uniquely trained as both paratroopers and tankmen, balancing ceremonial duties with operational readiness, while serving in some of the country’s most challenging environments, including annual deployments to the Siachen Glacier.

Manorama Yearbook Quiz:

Which is the oldest regiment in the Indian Army?

Answer: President’s Bodyguard (PBG).