UFO sightings in India have intrigued both the public and military, with several cases involving aviation experts and defense personnel. One of the earliest reported incidents occurred in 1947 in Nayagarh, Odisha, where two locals claimed to have seen a strange flying object land. They described humanoid figures in metallic suits, sparking debates about a possible extraterrestrial encounter. In 1951, 25 members of a New Delhi flying club observed a 100-foot-long cigar-shaped object maneuvering through the sky. The craft moved in ways that defied conventional aviation, leaving witnesses with no logical explanation. These early encounters fueled growing interest in UFO sightings in India.
More recent cases, especially those involving military personnel, have received significant attention. In 2013, Indian Army troops in Ladakh repeatedly spotted yellowish luminous spheres rising from the Chinese side of the LAC and traveling slowly across the sky. Despite multiple sightings over several months, their origin remains a mystery. A decade later, in 2023, an unidentified object over Imphal Airport disrupted flight operations. The Indian Air Force scrambled two Rafale fighter jets, but the UFO disappeared without a trace. These incidents, occurring in strategic locations, have raised serious questions. Whether these sightings are natural phenomena, classified technology, or something entirely unexplained, they remain an important part of UFO/UAP history.
1947 Nayagarh UFO Incident: A Forgotten Encounter
The history of UFO sightings in India goes further back than many assume, with one of the most intriguing cases occurring in 1947 in Nayagarh, Odisha. Just months before India’s Independence, two young villagers reported witnessing a strange flying object land near their home. Their story became even more bizarre when they claimed that the occupants invited them aboard the craft. They described the beings inside as either humanoid figures in metallic suits or anthropomorphic robots, making this one of the earliest recorded UFO encounters in India.
The event attracted local attention, and a Pattachitra artist later created engravings based on witness descriptions. These depictions featured mechanical humanoid figures, closely resembling modern robots or astronauts in spacesuits. What makes this remarkable is that these artworks predated human space exploration, which only began in the late 1950s and 1960s. This led to speculation about whether the villagers had encountered something far ahead of their time or if folklore had shaped the retelling of events.
While skeptics argue that the Nayagarh UFO sighting was a case of vivid imagination, the consistent details in witness accounts keep it relevant in discussions about UFO sightings in India. Whether this was an extraterrestrial visit, a classified experiment, or an exaggerated tale, the 1947 Nayagarh incident remains one of the most fascinating unsolved cases in India’s UFO history.
1951 New Delhi UFO Incident: Flying Club Members Witness a Mysterious Cigar-Shaped Object
A remarkable event added to the early history of UFO sightings in India in March 1951. On the 15th of that month, at approximately 10:20 a.m., 25 members of a flying club in New Delhi reported a strange aerial phenomenon. Among them was George F. Floate, the club’s chief aerial engineer, along with two assistants. They observed a swirling white cloud, about 700 feet across, hovering at 4,000 feet near the Delhi Flying Club hangar. As they watched, the cloud stretched and from its edge emerged a bullet-shaped object, about 100 feet long, resembling a C-47 fuselage.
The observers quickly alerted others, and 17 to 20 more people witnessed the object’s movements. It moved southward for three minutes, then performed a loop, briefly vanishing at its peak before reappearing. After stabilizing, it continued southwest and vanished from sight. Witnesses estimated its speed at nearly 1,500 mph, about three times faster than a British Vampire jet. The entire sighting lasted around seven minutes. Later, Project Blue Book reviewed the case and classified it as ‘unidentified’.
This incident remains one of the earliest documented UFO encounters in India, contributing to the global discussion on unexplained aerial phenomena during the mid-20th century.
2013 Ladakh UFO Sightings: Indian Army Reports Mysterious Luminous Objects Near the LAC
In August 2013, Indian Army personnel stationed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh reported multiple sightings of unidentified luminous objects. Over several months, soldiers observed yellowish spheres rising from the horizon on the Chinese side and slowly moving across the sky for hours before vanishing. The Lagan Kher Area in Demchok became a hotspot, with over 100 incidents recorded in a short period.
Concerned about these recurring appearances, the Indian Army launched an investigation to determine their origin. Initial theories suggested they were Chinese drones or satellites, but the objects’ behavior and prolonged visibility ruled out these explanations. Some astronomers speculated that bright celestial bodies like Jupiter and Venus may have been mistaken for UFOs due to the region’s clear high-altitude skies. However, these explanations failed to fully account for the sightings, leaving the events unresolved.
The 2013 Ladakh UFO sightings are among the most intriguing UFO sightings in India, occurring in a strategic border region. The lack of a clear explanation has fueled debates about surveillance, natural anomalies, or unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP/UFO). These sightings add to the mystery of UFO encounters in India, keeping researchers and analysts engaged in discussions.
2023 Imphal UFO Incident: Indian Air Force Scrambles Rafale Jets After Airport Sighting
In November 2023, an unidentified flying object (UFO) appeared over Imphal Airport in Manipur, causing a temporary disruption in flight operations. The object was visible to the naked eye, moving westward of the airfield between 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM. As a safety measure, airport authorities diverted two incoming flights and delayed three departures, raising concerns about aviation security.
In response, the Indian Air Force (IAF) scrambled two Rafale fighter jets from a nearby airbase to investigate the anomaly. Despite using advanced sensors and conducting low-level search maneuvers, the pilots failed to detect any object. The UFO was never seen again, leaving its origin and nature unknown. After the incident, defense agencies analyzed witness-recorded videos, but no conclusive evidence emerged.
The 2023 Imphal UFO sighting remains one of the most recent and puzzling UFO sightings in India. The case continues to draw interest from aviation experts, defense analysts, and UFO researchers. As with many unexplained aerial encounters, speculation persists about whether this was a natural phenomenon, experimental technology, or a true unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP/UFO).
Government Response, Media, and Transparency in India
Government Response
The Indian government has taken a reserved stance on UFO sightings in India, prioritizing airspace security and military assessments. Official investigations into UAP/UFO events have been rare, mostly handled by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and aviation authorities. The 2013 Ladakh UFO sightings, where Indian Army personnel saw luminous objects over the LAC, were treated as a security concern. However, no official statements provided conclusive explanations.
Similarly, the 2023 Imphal UFO incident, in which a mysterious object disrupted airport operations, led to the scrambling of Rafale fighter jets by the IAF. Despite their advanced sensors, the jets failed to detect any object, and no official investigation reports were released. The 1951 New Delhi UFO sighting, observed by flying club members, was later reviewed by Project Blue Book, but no direct involvement from Indian authorities was recorded. The lack of governmental engagement in these cases highlights a broader policy of non-disclosure regarding UFO phenomena.
Media Interest
Indian media has played a key role in keeping UFO sightings in India relevant. The 1947 Nayagarh UFO incident, where two villagers saw a craft and humanoid figures, gained local attention and artistic depiction. The 1951 New Delhi sighting, where 25 aviation experts observed a cigar-shaped UFO, received extensive media coverage at the time.
The 2013 Ladakh UFO sightings, with over 100 incidents recorded by the Indian Army, were widely reported in national news.
Debates emerged over whether these objects were foreign surveillance drones or genuine UAPs, fueling public speculation. The 2023 Imphal UFO incident made headlines after airport operations halted, and fighter jets scrambled to investigate the sighting. Despite government silence, media coverage has kept India’s UFO encounters a topic of discussion among researchers and the public.
Transparency and Public Engagement
Unlike some nations that declassify UFO-related documents, India has not officially disclosed any reports regarding UAP/UFO sightings. Most cases rely on eyewitness testimonies, media investigations, and military observations, rather than formal government documentation. Independent researchers and organizations have taken the lead in analyzing UFO incidents, but their efforts remain limited by the lack of official data.
Public interest in UFO sightings in India remains strong, fueled by news coverage, online discussions, and digital platforms where witnesses share their accounts. Social media and independent research groups continue to explore these cases, keeping UAP/UFO investigations active despite official silence. The lack of transparency and conclusive investigations leaves many sightings unexplained, reinforcing India’s role in unsolved aerial mysteries.