NEW DELHI: The Indian Army has announced a comprehensive overhaul of its dress regulations, removing several colonial-era symbols, practices and terminology while introducing indigenous elements such as the Bandi jacket as part of a broader effort to align military traditions with India’s sovereign identity and national ethos.
The changes have been detailed in the newly issued Army Uniforms-2026 Pamphlet, which standardises dress regulations across the force and introduces what the Army describes as a deliberate move away from residual colonial-era vestiges.
The rationale behind the reforms has been outlined in a chapter titled “Indigenisation and Alignment with National Ethos”, which states, “In keeping with the nation’s sentiments and evolving sovereign identity, a number of deliberate refinements have been incorporated in this edition of Army Uniforms Pamphlet.”
One of the most visible changes is the introduction of the indigenous Bandi jacket as part of formal civil attire for Army officers. The closed-neck coat will be worn over a full-sleeved shirt with matching formal trousers and closed footwear, incorporating a distinctly Indian element into official dress.
The Army has also removed the pouch belt from Mess Dress Nos. 5 and 6, made the carriage of swords by Reviewing Officers optional, and discontinued the use of archaic terminology such as “Royal”, which had remained embedded in certain military traditions inherited from the colonial period.
According to the manual, these reforms form part of a wider review of legacy practices.
“These measures, reflected at appropriate places across this Pamphlet and further listed herein, include the introduction of the Bandi Jacket as part of civil formal dress, removal of the pouch belt from Mess Dress Nos. 5 and 6, the stipulation that sword carriage by Reviewing Officer is optional and discontinuation of archaic terminology such as ‘Royal’,” the document states.
In another significant change, the Army has restricted the occasions on which swords may be carried. Under the revised regulations, swords will only be carried by parade commanders, contingent commanders and designated personnel during major ceremonial events such as Republic Day, Independence Day, Army Day parades and Guards of Honour.
The regulations clearly specify that “Reviewing Officers will not carry sword on parade.”
The Army has described the reforms as an effort to balance modernisation with the preservation of military traditions.
“Collectively, these refinements represent a progressive review of residual colonial-era vestiges while preserving the dignity, functionality and enduring traditions of the Indian Army,” the manual notes.
The move towards indigenisation is further emphasised in the foreword of the Army Uniforms-2026 Pamphlet, which states that the latest edition “reflects a considered step towards aligning our dress regulations with contemporary Indian ethos through the progressive removal of residual colonial-era practices, accoutrements and terminology.”
Apart from symbolic reforms, the Army has also introduced a new winter working dress featuring a Battle Jacket, which will gradually replace the existing jersey-based winter uniform, known as Dress 3A, by June 2029. The Battle Jacket has been reintroduced as the standard winter outerwear for all ranks, with a three-year transition period for implementation.
The manual also contains detailed guidelines on personal appearance, military bearing and conduct while in uniform. It prohibits radical hairstyles, unauthorised beards, visible electronic gadgets, tattoos, body piercings and cosmetic make-up while in uniform. The regulations further prohibit personnel from wearing uniform at political, religious or protest gatherings, weddings, private parties and paid media appearances without prior authorisation.
Describing the broader objective of the reforms, the concluding section of the manual states that the Army Uniforms Pamphlet 2026 represents “a deliberate and balanced progression towards standardisation, simplification and modernisation of dress regulations in keeping with the evolving ethos of the Indian Army.”
The latest reforms follow a major initiative undertaken earlier this year by the Indian Army to remove colonial-era legacies by renaming 246 roads, buildings and facilities across military establishments nationwide.
According to Army officials, the exercise covered 124 roads, 77 colonies, 27 buildings and military facilities, and 18 miscellaneous facilities, including parks, training areas, sports grounds, gates and helipads.
Officials said the initiative aims to strengthen an institutional identity rooted in India’s history, ethos and military traditions while honouring gallantry award recipients, war heroes and distinguished military leaders.
As part of the renaming exercise, several British-era names have been replaced with names commemorating Indian military heroes. In Delhi Cantonment, Kirby Place has been renamed Kenuguruse Vihar, while Mall Road has been renamed Arun Khetrapal Marg. In Ambala Cantonment, Patterson Road Quarters is now Dhan Singh Thapa Enclave, while New Horn Line in Mathura Cantonment has been renamed Abdul Hamid Lines.
Other changes include Queens Line Road in Jaipur Cantonment becoming Sundar Singh Marg, New Birdwood Line in Bareilly Cantonment being renamed Thimayya Colony, and Malcolm Lines in Mhow Cantonment renamed Piru Singh Lines.
At the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Colins Block and Kingsway Block have been renamed Nubra Block and Kargil Block, respectively. In Kolkata, Fort William has been renamed Vijay Durg, while the sports complex at Rangapahar Military Station now bears the name Laishram Jyotin Singh Sports Complex. At Zakhama Military Station, Spear Lake Marg has been renamed Hangpan Dada Marg.
Army officials said the new names honour exemplary courage, sacrifice and leadership displayed by Indian soldiers and commanders across multiple campaigns.
The Army’s efforts to shed colonial-era practices are not new. On February 24, 2023, the force discontinued several colonial traditions, including the use of horse-driven buggies at official functions, ceremonial pull-out events during retirements and pipe bands during formal dinners.
Officials said these measures reflect the Army’s continued commitment to ensuring that the institutions, traditions and spaces where soldiers live, train and serve increasingly embody India’s own heroes, values and national legacy while preserving the professionalism and heritage of the force.
