Indian Army

Land service branch of the Indian Armed Forces

This article is about the Indian Army (since 1947). For the pre 1947 force, see British Indian Army. For others, see Military history of India.

Indian Army

Bhāratīya Sēnā

Emblem of the Indian Army

Founded| 26 January 1950; 75 years ago (1950-01-26) (in current form)

* * *

1 April 1895; 130 years ago (1895-04-01) (as British Indian Army)

* * *

Country|  India
Allegiance|

* Constitution of India
* President of India

Type| Army
Role| Land warfare
Size|

* 1,248,000 active personnel[1]
* 900,000 reserve personnel[2]
~310 manned aircraft

Part of|  Indian Armed Forces
Headquarters| Integrated Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi
Motto(s)| Sevā Paramo Dharmaḥ (ISO)
transl. 'Service Before Self' lit. 'Service is the eternal dharma.'
Colours| Gold, red and black

March|

* Quick: Qadam Qadam Badhaye Ja
(Keep stepping forward)
* Slow: Samman Guard
(The Guard of Honour)

Anniversaries| Army Day: 15 January
Engagements|

See list:

* Large scale international conflicts
* Mahdist War (1881–1899)
* World War I (1914–1918)
* World War II (1939–1945)
* Korean War
* Wars with Afghanistan
* Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919)
* Tirah campaign (1897–1898)
* Waziristan campaign (1919–1920)
* Wars with China
* Boxer Rebellion (1899–1901)
* Sino-Indian War (1962)
* Second Sino-Indian War (1967)
* 2020–2021 China–India skirmishes
* Sri Lankan Civil War
* Indian intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War (1987–1990)
* Indian intervention in Maldives coup d'etat (1988)
* Wars with Pakistan
* Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948
* Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
* Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
* Siachen conflict (1984–2003)
* Kargil War (1999)
* India-Pakistan standoffs and border skirmishes
* 2008 India–Pakistan standoff
* 2013 India–Pakistan border skirmishes
* 2014–2015 India–Pakistan border skirmishes
* 2016–2018 India–Pakistan border skirmishes
* 2016 Indian Line of Control strike
* 2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes
* 2020–21 India–Pakistan border skirmishes
* 2025 India–Pakistan border skirmishes
* Minor conflicts and annexations
* Expedition to Tibet (1903–1904)
* Annexation of Hyderabad (1948)
* Annexation of Goa (1961)
* Annexation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli (1954)
* Invasion of Sikkim (1975)
* Domestic conflicts
* Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir (1989–)
* Insurgency in Northeast India (1954–)
* Naxalite-Maoist insurgency (1967–)

Website| indianarmy.nic.in
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief|  President Droupadi Murmu
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS)|  General Upendra Dwivedi
Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS)|  Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh
Notable
commanders|

* Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa
* Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw
* General J. N. Chaudhuri
* General K. S. Thimayya

Insignia
Flag|
Aircraft flown
Attack helicopter| HAL Rudra, HAL Prachand, Boeing AH-64 Apache
Utility helicopter| HAL Dhruv, HAL Chetak, HAL Cheetah

Military unit

The Indian Army (IA) (ISO: Bhāratīya Sēnā) is the land-based branch and largest component of the Indian Armed Forces, making it the world's second-largest army and the fourth most powerful military globally.[3] The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Army,[4] and its professional head is the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). The Indian Army was established on 1 April 1895 alongside the long established presidency armies of the East India Company, which too were absorbed into it in 1903. Some princely states maintained their own armies which formed the Imperial Service Troops which, along with the Indian Army formed the land component of the Armed Forces of the Crown of India, responsible for the defence of the Indian Empire.[5][6] The Imperial Service Troops were merged into the Indian Army after independence. The units and regiments of the Indian Army have diverse histories and have participated in several battles and campaigns around the world, earning many battle and theatre honours before and after Independence.[7]

The primary mission of the Indian Army is to ensure national security and national unity, to defend the nation from external aggression and internal threats, and to maintain peace and security within its borders. It conducts humanitarian rescue operations during natural calamities and other disturbances, such as Operation Surya Hope, and can also be requisitioned by the government to cope with internal threats. It is a major component of national power, alongside the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force.[8] The independent Indian army has been involved in four wars with neighbouring Pakistan and one with China. It has emerged victorious in all wars against Pakistan. Other major operations undertaken by the army include Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, and Operation Cactus. The army has conducted large peacetime exercises such as Operation Brasstacks and Exercise Shoorveer, and it has also been an active participant in numerous United Nations peacekeeping missions. The Indian Army was a major force in the First and Second World Wars, particularly in the Western Front and the Middle Eastern theatre during World War I, and the South-East Asian Theatre and the East African and North African campaigns during World War II.

The Indian Army is operationally and geographically divided into seven commands, with the basic field formation being a division. The army is an all-volunteer force and comprises more than 80% of the country's active defence personnel. It is the largest standing army in the world,[9] with 1,248,000[1] active troops and 960,000 reserve troops.[10][11] The army has embarked on an infantry modernisation program known as Futuristic Infantry Soldier As a System (F-INSAS), and is also upgrading and acquiring new assets for its armoured, artillery, and aviation branches.[12][13][14]

## History

[edit]

Until the independence of India, the "Indian Army" was a British-commanded force defined as "the force recruited locally and permanently based in India, together with its expatriate British officers";[15] the "British Army in India" referred to British Army units posted to India for a tour of duty. The "Army of India" meant the combined Indian Army and the British Army in India.

### Background

[edit]

Main article: British Indian Army

Further information: List of regiments of the British Indian Army (1903)

No. 4 (Hazara) Mountain Battery with RML7 pounder "Steel Gun" Mountain Gun in Review Order. Left to right Naick, Havaldar, Subadar (Sikhs) and Gunner (Punjabi Musalman) c. 1895.

In 1776, a Military Department was created within the government of the East India Company at Calcutta. Its main function was to record orders that were issued to the army by various departments of the East India Company for the territories under its control.[16]

With the Charter Act 1833, the Secretariat of the government of the East India Company was reorganised into four departments, including a Military Department. The army in the presidencies of Bengal, Bombay and Madras functioned as respective Presidency Armies until 1 April 1895, when they were unified into a single force known as the Indian Army.[17][18][19][20] For administrative convenience, it was divided into four commands, namely Punjab (including the North West Frontier), Bengal, Madras (including Burma), and Bombay (including Sind, Quetta and Aden).[21]

The Indian Army was a critical force for maintaining the primacy of the British Empire, both in India and throughout the world. Besides maintaining internal security,[6] the Army fought in many other theatres: Third Anglo-Afghan war; the Boxer Rebellion in China; in Abyssinia and in the First and Second World Wars.

### World wars

[edit]

Main articles: Indian Army during World War I and Indian Army during World War II

Indian Cavalry on the Western Front during World War I. A Sikh soldier of the 4th Division (the Red Eagles) of the Indian Army, attached to the British Fifth Army in Italy. Holding a captured Nazi flag after the surrender of German forces in Italy, May 1945. Behind him, a fascist inscription says "VIVA IL DUCE", "Long live the Duce" (i.e. Mussolini).

The Kitchener Reforms brought the British Army to a new century.[22] In the 20th century, the Indian Army was a crucial adjunct to the forces of the British Empire in both world wars. 1.3 million Indian soldiers served in World War I (1914–1918) with the Allies, in which 74,187 Indian troops were killed or missing in action.[23][failed verification] In 1915 there was a mutiny by Indian soldiers in Singapore. The United Kingdom made promises of self-governance to the Indian National Congress in return for its support but reneged on them after the war, following which the Indian Independence movement gained strength.

The "Indianisation" of the Indian Army began with the formation of the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College at Dehradun, in March 1912, to provide education to the scions of aristocratic and well-to-do Indian families and to prepare selected Indian boys for admission into the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Cadets were given a King's commission, after passing out, and were posted to one of the eight units selected for Indianisation. Because of the slow pace of Indianisation, with just 69 officers being commissioned between 1918 and 1932, political pressure was applied, leading to the formation of the Indian Military Academy in 1932 and greater numbers of officers of Indian origin being commissioned.[24] On the eve of World War II, the officer corps consisted of roughly 500 Indians holding regular commissions against approximately 3,000 British officers.[25]

In World War II Indian soldiers fought alongside the Allies. In 1939, British officials had no plan for expansion and training of Indian forces, which comprised about 130,000 men (in addition there were 44,000 men in British units in India in 1939), whose mission was internal security and defence against a possible Soviet threat through Afghanistan. As the war progressed, the size and role of the Indian Army expanded dramatically, and troops were sent to battlefronts as soon as possible. The most serious problem was the lack of equipment.[26] Indian units served in Burma, wherein 1944–45, five Indian divisions were engaged along with one British and three African divisions. Even larger numbers operated in the Middle East. Some 87,000 Indian soldiers died in the war. By the end of the war, it had become the largest volunteer army in history, rising to over 2.5 million men in August 1945.[27][28]

In the African and Middle East campaigns, captured Indian troops were given a choice to join the German Army, to eventually "liberate" India from Britain, instead of being sent to POW camps. These men, along with Indian students who were in Germany when the war broke out, made up what was called the Free India Legion. They were originally intended as pathfinders for German forces in Asia but were soon sent to help guard the Atlantic Wall. Few who were part of the Free India Legion ever saw any combat, and very few were ever stationed outside Europe. At its height, the Free India Legion had over 3,000 troops in its ranks.[29]

Indian POWs also joined the Indian National Army, which was allied with the Empire of Japan. It was raised by a former colonel of the Indian Army, General Mohan Singh, but was later led by Subhas Chandra Bose and Rash Bihari Bose. With the fall of Singapore in 1942, about 40,000 Indian soldiers were captured. When given the choice, over 30,000 joined the Indian National Army. Those who refused became POWs and were mostly shipped to New Guinea.[30] After initial success, this army was defeated, along with the Japanese; but it had a huge impact on the Indian independence movement.

### Indian independence

[edit]

Upon the Partition of India and Indian independence in 1947, four of the ten Gurkha regiments were transferred to the British Army. The rest of the Indian Army was divided between the newly created Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. The Punjab Boundary Force, which had been formed to help police Punjab during the partition period, was disbanded.[31] Headquarters Delhi and the East Punjab Command were formed to administer the area.

The departure of virtually all senior British officers following independence, and their replacement by Indian officers, meant many of the latter held acting ranks several ranks above their substantive ones. For instance, S. M. Shrinagesh, the ground-forces commander of Indian forces during the first Indo-Pak War of 1947–49 (and the future third COAS), was first an acting major-general and then an acting lieutenant-general during the conflict while holding the substantive rank of major, and only received a substantive promotion to lieutenant-colonel in August 1949.[32] Gopal Gurunath Bewoor, the future ninth COAS, was an acting colonel at his promotion to substantive major from substantive captain in 1949, while future Lieutenant General K. P. Candeth was an acting brigadier (substantive captain) at the same time.[33] In April 1948, the former Viceroy's Commissioned Officers (VCO) were re-designated Junior Commissioned Officers, while the former King's Commissioned Indian Officers (KCIO) and Indian Commissioned Officers (ICO), along with the former Indian Other Ranks (IOR), were respectively re-designated as Officers and Other Ranks.[34]

Army Day is celebrated on 15 January every year in India, in recognition of Lieutenant General K. M. Cariappa's taking over as the first "Indian" Chief of the Army Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army from General Sir Roy Bucher, on 15 January 1949. With effect from 26 January 1950, the date India became a republic, all active-duty Indian Army officers formerly holding the King's Commission were recommissioned and confirmed in their substantive ranks.[35]

### Conflicts and operations

[edit]

Main article: Military operations of India

#### First Kashmir War (1947)

[edit]

Main articles: Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 and Kashmir conflict

Immediately after independence, tensions between India and Pakistan erupted into the first of three full-scale wars between the two nations over the then princely state of Kashmir. The Maharaja of Kashmir wanted to have a standstill position. Since Kashmir was a Muslim majority state, Pakistan wanted to make Kashmir a Pakistani territory. As a result, Pakistan invaded Kashmir on 22 October 1947, causing Maharaja Hari Singh to look to India, specifically to Lord Mountbatten of Burma, the governor-general, for help. He signed the Instrument of Accession to India on 26 October 1947. Indian troops were airlifted to Srinagar from dawn on 27 October.[36] This contingent included General Thimayya who distinguished himself in the operation and in the years that followed became a Chief of the Indian Army. An intense war was waged across the state and former comrades found themselves fighting each other. Pakistan suffered significant losses. Its forces were stopped on the line formed which is now called the Line of Control (LOC).[citation needed]

An uneasy peace, sponsored by the UN, returned by the end of 1948, with Indian and Pakistani soldiers facing each other across the Line of Control, which has since divided Indian-held Kashmir from that part held by Pakistan. Several UN Security Council resolutions were passed, with Resolution 47 calling for a plebiscite to be held in Kashmir to determine accession to India or Pakistan, only after Pakistan withdrew its army from Kashmir.[37] A precondition to the resolution was for Pakistan and India to return to a state of "as was" before the conflict. Pakistan would withdraw all tribesmen and Pakistani nationals brought in to fight in Kashmir. Pakistan refused to pull back, and there could be no further dialogue on fulfilling the UN resolution.[38][37] Tensions between India and Pakistan, largely over Kashmir, have never been eliminated.

#### Annexation of Hyderabad (1948)

[edit]

Main article: Operation Polo

Major General El Edroos (at right) offers his surrender of the Hyderabad State Forces to Major General (later Army Chief) J.N. Chaudhuri at Secunderabad

After the partition of India, Hyderabad State, a princely state under the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad, chose to remain independent. The ensuing stand-off between the Government of India and the Nizam ended on 12 September 1948, when India's then Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ordered Indian troops to secure Hyderabad State. During five days of fighting, the Indian Army, backed by an Indian Air Force squadron of Hawker Tempest aircraft, routed the Hyderabad State forces. Five Indian Army infantry battalions and one armoured squadron were engaged in the operation. The following day, Hyderabad was proclaimed part of India. Major General Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri, who led the operation, and accepted the surrender of the Nizam's forces on 18 September 1948, was appointed the military governor of Hyderabad, to restore law and order, and served until 1949.

#### Assistance during the Korean War (1950–1953)

[edit]

Main article: Korean War

During the Korean War, although deciding against sending combat forces, India sent its 60th Parachute Field Ambulance unit to aid the UN troops fighting against the North Korean invasion of South Korea, as part of the 1st Commonwealth Division.[39] In the aftermath of the war, an Indian infantry brigade formed the Custodian Force of India, some of whose soldiers were also part of the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission, which assisted in the exchange of prisoners of war and was headed by Lieutenant General K. S. Thimayya.[40]

#### Annexation of Goa, Daman and Diu (1961)

[edit]

Main article: Annexation of Goa

Even though the British and French vacated all their colonial possessions in the Indian subcontinent, Portugal refused to relinquish control of its colonies of Goa, Daman, and Diu. After repeated attempts by India to negotiate were spurned by Portuguese prime minister and dictator, António de Oliveira Salazar, on 12 December 1961 India launched Operation Vijay to capture the Portuguese colonies, which was accomplished by small contingents of Indian troops. After a brief conflict that lasted twenty-six hours—during which 31 Portuguese soldiers were killed, the Portuguese Navy frigate NRP Afonso de Albuquerque was destroyed, and over 3,000 Portuguese were captured—Portuguese General Manuel António Vassalo e Silva surrendered to Major General Kunhiraman Palat Kandoth of the Indian Army. Goa, Daman, and Diu became a part of the Republic of India.

#### Sino-Indian War (1962)

[edit]

Main article: Sino-Indian War

Indian Army Hall of Fame at Leh, near Indo-Tibet border

The cause of this war was a dispute over the sovereignty of the widely separated Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh border regions. Aksai Chin, claimed by India as part of Kashmir, and by China as part of Xinjiang, contains an important road link that connects the Chinese regions of Tibet and Xinjiang. China's construction of this road was one of the triggers of the conflict.

Small-scale clashes between Indian and Chinese forces broke out as India insisted on the disputed McMahon Line being regarded as the international border between the two countries. Chinese troops claimed not to have retaliated to the cross-border firing by Indian troops, despite sustaining losses.[41] China's suspicion of India's involvement in Tibet created more rifts between the two countries.[42]

In 1962, the Indian Army was ordered to move to the Thag La ridge, located near the border between Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh and about 5 kilometres (3 miles) north of the disputed McMahon Line. Meanwhile, Chinese troops had also made incursions into Indian-held territory, and tensions between the two reached a new high when Indian forces discovered the road constructed by China in Aksai Chin. After a series of failed negotiations, the People's Liberation Army attacked Indian Army positions on the Thag La ridge. This move by China caught India by surprise, and on 12 October Nehru gave orders for the Chinese to be expelled from Aksai Chin. However, poor coordination among various divisions of the Indian Army, and the late decision to mobilise the Indian Air Force in vast numbers, gave China a crucial tactical and strategic advantage over India. On 20 October, Chinese soldiers attacked India from both the northwest and northeast; and captured large portions of Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh.

As the fighting moved beyond disputed territories, China called on the Indian government to negotiate; however, India remained determined to regain lost territory. With no agreement in sight, China unilaterally withdrew its forces from Arunachal Pradesh. The reasons for the withdrawal are disputed, with India claiming various logistical problems for China and diplomatic support from the United States, while China stated that it still held territory it had staked a claim on. The dividing line between the Indian and Chinese forces was named the Line of Actual Control.

The poor decisions made by India's military commanders, and the political leadership, raised several questions. The Henderson-Brooks and Bhagat committee was soon set up by the government of India to determine the causes of the poor performance of the Indian Army. Its report criticised the decision not to allow the Indian Air Force to target Chinese transport lines, out of fear of a Chinese aerial counterattack on Indian civilian areas. Much of the blame was placed on the then–defence minister, Krishna Menon, who resigned from his post soon after the war ended. Despite frequent calls for its release, the Henderson-Brooks report remains classified.[43] Neville Maxwell has written an account of the war.[44]

#### Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

[edit]

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

A second confrontation with Pakistan took place in 1965. Although the war is described as inconclusive, India had the better of the war and was the clear winner in tactical and strategic terms.[45][46][47] Pakistani president Ayub Khan launched Operation Gibraltar in August 1965, during which Pakistani paramilitary troops infiltrated into Indian-administered Kashmir and attempted to ignite anti-India agitation in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani leaders believed that India, which was still recovering from the Sino-Indian War, would be unable to deal with a military thrust and a Kashmiri rebellion. India reacted swiftly and launched a counter-offensive against Pakistan. In reply, on 1 September Pakistan launched Operation Grand Slam, invading India's Chamb-Jaurian sector. In retaliation, the Indian Army launched a major offensive all along its border with Pakistan, with Lahore as its prime target.

Indian Army officer next to a destroyed Pakistani Sherman tank, after the battle of Asal Uttar.

Initially, the Indian Army met with considerable success in the northern sector. After launching prolonged artillery barrages against Pakistan, India was able to capture three important mountain positions in Kashmir. By 9 September, the Indian Army had made considerable inroads into Pakistan. India had its largest haul of Pakistani tanks when an offensive by Pakistan's 1st Armoured Division was blunted at the Battle of Asal Uttar, which took place on 10 September near Khemkaran.[48] The biggest tank battle of the war was the Battle of Chawinda, the largest tank battle in history after World War II. Pakistan's defeat at the Battle of Asal Uttar hastened the end of the conflict.[48]

At the time of the ceasefire declaration, India reported casualties of about 3,000. On the other hand, it was estimated that more than 3,800 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the conflict.[49][50][51] About 200–300 Pakistani tanks were either destroyed or captured by India. India lost a total of 150-190 tanks during the conflict.[48][52] The decision to return to pre-war positions, following the Tashkent Declaration, caused an outcry in New Delhi. It was widely believed that India's decision to accept the ceasefire was due to political factors, not military, since it was facing considerable pressure from the United States and the United Nations to cease hostilities.[53]

#### 1967 Sino-Indian conflict

[edit]

Main article: Cho La incident

The 1967 Sino-Indian skirmish, also known as the Cho La incident, was a military conflict between Indian troops and members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army who, on 1 October 1967, invaded Sikkim, which was then a protectorate of India. On 10 October, both sides clashed again. Defence minister Sardar Swaran Singh assured the Indian people that the government was taking care of developments along the border. Indian losses were 88 killed, and 163 wounded, while Chinese casualties were 300 killed and 450 wounded in Nathula, and 40 in Chola.[54] The Chinese Army left Sikkim after this defeat.[55][56][57]

#### Operation against the Naxalites during 1971

[edit]

Under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, during the president's rule in 1971, the Indian Army and the Indian police launched Operation Steeplechase, a gigantic "counter-insurgency" operation against the Naxalites, which resulted in the death of hundreds of Naxalites and the imprisonment of more than 20,000 suspects and cadres, including senior leaders.[58] The army was also assisted by a brigade of para commandos and the Indian paramilitary. The operation was organised in October 1969, and Lieutenant General J.F.R. Jacob was told by Govind Narain, the Home Secretary, that "there should be no publicity and no records". Jacob's request to be presented with written orders was also refused by the then Army Chief Sam Manekshaw.[59]

#### Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971

[edit]

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

See also: Battle of Longewala, Battle of Hilli, and Battle of Basantar

An independence movement broke out in East Pakistan which was crushed by Pakistani forces. Due to large-scale atrocities committed against them, thousands of Bengalis took refuge in neighbouring India causing a major refugee crisis there. In early 1971, India declared its full support for the Bengali freedom fighters, known as Mukti Bahini, and Indian agents were extensively involved in covert operations to aid them.[citation needed]

On 20 November 1971, the Indian Army moved 14 Punjab Battalion of the 45th Cavalry regiment, into Garibpur, a strategically important town in East Pakistan, near India's border, and successfully captured it. The following day, more clashes took place between Indian and Pakistani forces. Wary of India's growing involvement in the Bengali rebellion, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) launched a preemptive strike on 10 Indian air bases—at Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Agra, Adampur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Uttarlai, and Sirsa—at 17:45 hours on 3 December. However, this aerial offensive failed to accomplish its objectives and gave India an excuse to declare a full-scale war against Pakistan the same day. By midnight, the Indian Army, accompanied by the Indian Air Force, launched a major three-pronged assault into East Pakistan. The Indian Army won several battles on the eastern front including the decisive Battle of Hilli. The operation also included a battalion-level airborne operation on Tangail, which resulted in the capitulation of all resistance within five days.[60] India's massive early gains were attributed largely to the speed and flexibility with which Indian armoured divisions moved across East Pakistan.[61]

Lt Gen A A K Niazi (right), Commander of the Pakistani Eastern Command, signing the Instrument of Surrender under the gaze of Lt Gen J S Arora.

Pakistan launched a counterattack against India on the western front. On 4 December 1971, A Company of the 23rd Battalion of India's Punjab Regiment intercepted the Pakistani 51st Infantry Brigade near Ramgarh, Rajasthan. The Battle of Longewala ensued, during which A Company, though outnumbered, thwarted the Pakistani advance until the Indian Air Force directed its fighters to engage the Pakistani tanks. By the time the battle had ended, 38 Pakistani tanks and 100 armoured vehicles were either destroyed or abandoned. About 200 Pakistani troops were killed in action, while only two Indian soldiers died. Pakistan suffered another major defeat on the western front at the Battle of Basantar, which was fought from 4 to 16 December. During the battle, about 66 Pakistani tanks were destroyed and 40 more were captured. Pakistani forces destroyed only 11 Indian tanks.[62] By 16 December, Pakistan had lost sizeable territory on both the eastern and western fronts.

On 16 December 1971, under the command of Lt. General J. S. Arora, elements of the three corps of the Indian Army that had invaded East Pakistan entered Dhaka as a part of the Indo-Bangladesh allied force and forced Pakistani forces to surrender, one day after the conclusion of the Battle of Basantar. After Pakistan's Lt General A. A. K. Niazi signed the Instrument of Surrender, India, as a part of the allied forces, took more than 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war. By the time of the signing, 11,000 Pakistani soldiers had been killed in action, while India suffered 3,500 battle-related deaths.[50] In addition, Pakistan lost 220 tanks during the battle compared to India's 69.[63]

In 1972, the Simla Agreement was signed between the two countries, although subsequent incidences of heightened tensions have resulted in continued military vigilance on both sides.

#### Siachen conflict (1984)

[edit]

Main article: Siachen conflict

A memorial for the 22 Indian Army Medical Corps at the War Cemetery in Taiping, Perak

The Siachen Glacier, although a part of the Kashmir region, was not demarcated on maps prepared and exchanged between the two sides in 1947. In consequence, before the 1980s neither India nor Pakistan maintained a permanent military presence in the region. However, beginning in the 1950s, Pakistan began sending mountaineering expeditions to the glacier. By the early 1980s, the Government of Pakistan was granting special expedition permits to mountaineers and United States Army maps showed Siachen as a part of Pakistan.[64] This practice gave rise to the term oropolitics.

India, possibly irked by these developments, launched Operation Meghdoot in April 1984. An entire battalion of the Kumaon Regiment was airlifted to the glacier. Pakistani forces responded quickly, and clashes between the two followed. The Indian Army secured the strategic Sia La and Bilafond La mountain passes, and by 1985 more than 2,600 km2 (1,000 sq mi) of territory claimed by Pakistan was under Indian control.[65] The Indian Army continues to control all of the Siachen Glacier and its tributary glaciers. Pakistan has made several unsuccessful attempts to regain control over Siachen. In late 1987, Pakistan mobilised about 8,000 troops and garrisoned them near Khapalu, aiming to capture Bilafond La.[66] However, they were repulsed by Indian Army personnel guarding Bilafond. During the battle, about 23 Indian soldiers lost their lives, while more than 150 Pakistani troops perished.[67] Further unsuccessful attempts to reclaim positions were launched by Pakistan in 1990, 1995, 1996, and 1999, most notably in Kargil in the latter year.

An Indian Army soldier, part of a patrolling group, in snow camouflage holding a SIG 716i. Indian Army soldiers patrolling snow clad mountain range.

India continues to maintain a strong military presence in the region, despite inhospitable conditions. The conflict over Siachen is regularly cited as an example of mountain warfare.[68][69] The highest peak in the Siachen Glacier region, Saltoro Kangri, could be viewed as strategically important for India because of its height, which would enable Indian forces to monitor Pakistani or Chinese movements in the area.[70] Maintaining control over Siachen poses several logistical challenges for the Indian Army. Several infrastructure projects were constructed in the region, including a helipad at an elevation of 6,400 m (21,000 ft).[71] In 2004, the Indian Army was spending an estimated US$2 million a month to support its personnel stationed in the region.[72]

#### Counter-insurgency activities

[edit]

The Indian Army has played a crucial role in fighting insurgents and terrorists within the nation. The army launched Operation Blue Star and Operation Woodrose in the 1980s to combat Sikh insurgents. The army, along with some paramilitary forces, has the prime responsibility of maintaining law and order in the troubled Jammu and Kashmir region, under Northern Command. The Indian Army sent a contingent to Sri Lanka in 1987 as a part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force.[73][74][75] The Indian Army also successfully conducted Operation Golden Bird in 1995, as a counter-insurgency operation in northeast India.[76]

#### Kargil war (1999)

[edit]

Main article: Kargil War

In 1998, India carried out nuclear tests; and a few days later, Pakistan responded with nuclear tests of its own, giving both countries nuclear deterrence capability, although India had tested a hydrogen bomb, which Pakistan lacked. Diplomatic tensions eased after the Lahore Summit was held in 1999. However, the sense of optimism was short-lived. In mid-1999, Pakistani paramilitary forces and Kashmiri insurgents captured the deserted, but strategic, Himalayan heights in the Kargil district of India. These had been vacated by the Indian Army during the onset of the inhospitable winter and were to be reoccupied in spring. The troops that took control of these areas received important support, of both arms and supplies, from Pakistan. Some of the heights under their control, which also included the Tiger Hill, overlooked the vital Srinagar–Leh Highway (NH 1A), Batalik, and Dras.

Kargil War Memorial looking at National Highway 1 from the foot of Tololing

Once the scale of the Pakistani incursion was realised, the Indian Army quickly mobilised about 200,000 troops, and Operation Vijay was launched. However, since the heights were under Pakistani control, India was at a clear strategic disadvantage. From their observation posts, the Pakistani forces had a clear line-of-sight to lay down indirect artillery fire on NH 1A, inflicting heavy casualties on the Indians.[77] This was a serious problem for the Indian Army as the highway was its main supply route.[78] Thus, the Indian Army's priority was to recapture peaks near NH 1A. This resulted in Indian troops first targeting the Tiger Hill and Tololing complex in Dras.[79] This was soon followed by more attacks on the Batalik–Turtok sub-sector, which provided access to Siachen Glacier. Point 4590, which had the nearest view of the NH 1A, was successfully recaptured by Indian forces on 14 June.[80]

Indian soldiers after winning a battle during the Kargil War.

Though most of the posts in the vicinity of the highway were cleared of the enemy by mid-June, some posts near Dras endured sporadic shelling until the end of the war. Once the NH 1A area was cleared, the Indian Army turned to drive the invading force back across the Line of Control. The Battle of Tololing, among others, slowly tilted the war in India's favour. Nevertheless, some Pakistani posts put up a stiff resistance, including Tiger Hill (Point 5140), which fell only later in the war. As the operation was fully underway, about 250 artillery guns were brought in to clear the infiltrators in posts that were in the line-of-sight. At many vital points, neither artillery nor air power could dislodge the Pakistan soldiers, who were out of visible range. The Indian Army mounted some direct frontal ground assaults, which were slow and took a heavy toll, given the steep ascents that had to be made on peaks as high as 5,500 m (18,000 ft). Two months into the conflict, Indian troops had slowly retaken most of the ridges they had lost.[81][82] According to official accounts, an estimated 75%–80% of the enemy-occupied area, and nearly all the high ground, was back under Indian control.

Following the Washington Accord of 4 July, where Sharif agreed to withdraw Pakistani troops, most of the fighting came to a gradual halt; but some Pakistani forces remained in positions on the Indian side of the LOC. In addition, the United Jihad Council (an umbrella group for all extremists) rejected Pakistan's plan for a draw-down, deciding instead to fight on.[83] The Indian Army launched its final attacks in the last week of July. As soon as the Dras sub-sector had been cleared of Pakistani forces, the fighting ceased on 26 July, which has since been celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day) in India. By the end of the war, India had resumed control of all the territory south and east of the Line of Control, as was established in July 1972 per the Shimla Accord. By the time all hostilities had ended, the number of Indian soldiers killed during the conflict stood at 527,[84] while more than 700 regular members of the Pakistani Army had been killed.[85] The number of Islamist fighters, also known as Mujahideen, killed by Indian armed forces during the conflict stood at about 3,000.[citation needed]

#### 2016 Surgical Strikes on Kashmir and the 2016–2018 India-Pakistan conflict

[edit]

Main article: India–Pakistan border skirmishes (2016–2018)

On 18 September 2016, a fedayeen attack was made by four armed militants on an army base near the town of Uri. Nineteen Indian Army soldiers were killed. India accused Jaish-e-Muhammad, a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation.[86] On 29 September 2016, the India Army announced that it conducted "surgical strikes" against militant launch pads across the Line of Control, in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, and inflicted "significant casualties".[87] Indian media reported the casualty figures variously from 35 to 70 killed.[88][89] Partial footage of the strikes was released to the Indian media on 27 June 2018 as proof of the strike.[90][91][verification needed] The incident triggered the 2016–2018 India-Pakistan border conflict, which ended on 16 June 2018 with both India and Pakistan agreeing on a ceasefire.[92][93]

#### 2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes

[edit]

Main article: 2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes

Following the 14 February 2019 Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 40 Indian Central Reserve Police Force personnel. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by a Pakistan-based militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammed.[94] India blamed Pakistan for the attack and promised a robust response, while the latter condemned the attack and denied having any connection to it.[95][96]

Twelve days later, in the early morning of 26 February 2019, India carried out a cross-border airstrike near Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.[97][98]

After over a month-long skirmish, both Indian Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan agreed on a peace offer on 22 March 2019 ending hostilities and vowed to fight against terrorism together.[99][100]

#### United Nations peacekeeping missions

[edit]

Main article: Indian Army United Nations peacekeeping missions

An Indian Army peacekeeper and an FARDC soldier shake hands and encourage each other

India has been the largest troop contributor to UN peacekeeping missions since its inception. So far, India has taken part in 43 Peacekeeping missions, with a total contribution exceeding 160,000 troops and a significant number of police personnel having been deployed. In 2014, India was the third largest troop contributor (TCC), with 7,860 personnel deployed, of which 995 were police personnel, including the first UN Female Formed Police Unit, serving with ten UN peacekeeping missions.[101][102] As of 30 June 2014[update], 157 Indians have been killed during such missions.[103] The Indian army has also provided paramedical units to facilitate the withdrawal of the sick and wounded.

#### Indo-China Doklam issue

[edit]

Main article: 2017 China–India border standoff

### Major exercises

[edit]

See also: List of exercises of the Indian Army

#### Operation Brasstacks

[edit]

Operation Brasstacks was launched by the Indian Army in November 1986 to simulate a full-scale war on India's western border. The exercise was the largest ever conducted in India; it included nine infantry, three mechanised, three armoured divisions, and one air assault division, as well as three independent armoured brigades. Amphibious assault exercises were also conducted with the Indian Navy. Brasstacks also allegedly incorporated nuclear attack drills. It led to tensions with Pakistan and a subsequent rapprochement in mid-1987.[104]

#### Exercise Nomadic Elephant

[edit]

Since 2004, and every year since, the Indian Army has been conducting training exercises with the Mongolian Army. In 2012, the exercise took place in Belgaum; in June 2013, it was held in Mongolia. The aim of the exercises is to enhance counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism operations, and to train in conducting peacekeeping operations under the mandate of the United Nations.[105][106]

#### Exercise Ashwamedha

[edit]

Indian Army tested its network-centric warfare capabilities in the Ashwamedha exercise. The exercise was held in the Thar desert, and over 300,000 troops participated.[107] Asymmetric warfare capability was also tested by the Indian Army during the exercise.[108]

#### Exercise Yudh Abhyas

[edit]

Main article: India–United States relations § Military relations

Yudh Abhyas 2012 – US and Indian Army military exercise video trailer Indian Army Aviation Corps Dhruv helicopter ferrying U.S. soldiers during the Yudh Abhyas training exercise in 2009

The Yudh Abhyas exercise is an ongoing series, since 2005 of joint exercises between the Indian and United States armies, agreed upon under the New Framework of the India-US Defence Relationship. Commencing at the platoon level, the exercise has graduated to a command post (CPX) and field training exercise (FTX).

Indian army armoured vehicles during Yudh Abhyas exercises

The seventh edition of Yudh Abhyas began on 5 March 2012, in two locations under the Southwestern Command. The US Army contingent is from the US Army Pacific (USARPAC), part of the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM). The command post exercise has an engineer brigade headquarters, with its planners drawn from both countries, while the field training exercise comprises troops of the United States' 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, from the 25th Infantry Division, Hawaii, along with a Stryker platoon, and a similarly sized Indian Army contingent of mechanised infantry. Several key surveillance, communications, and IED detection and neutralisation technologies, available to both sides, were fielded in the exercise.[citation needed]

The eighth edition of Yudh Abhyas was conducted from 3 to 17 May 2013 as a U.S.-Army-Pacific-sponsored bilateral training exercise with the Indian Army, an exercise that focused on the two countries' cultures, weapons training, and tactics. Units from the United States included the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, from Fort Bragg, N.C., and the 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment. Units from India were the Indian Army's 99th Mountain Brigade; the 2nd Battalion, 5th Gurka Rifles; the  50th Independent Parachute Brigade; and the 54th Engineers Regiment.[109][110][111][112]

#### Exercise Shakti

[edit]

Indian Army showcasing ASMI to French soldier during Exercise Shakti

The Shakti exercise is an ongoing series, since 2011, of joint exercises between the Indian and French armies. The exercise is conducted to practice and validate anti-terrorist operations in snowbound and mountainous areas. The first joint exercise was held in India in October 2011 and the second one in September 2013. The theme of the exercise is to conduct joint platoon-level counter-insurgency operations in high-altitude mountainous terrain under the UN Charter, thus emphasising the shared concerns of both countries regarding global terrorism. An added aim of the exercise is to qualitatively enhance knowledge of each other's military procedures, thus increasing the scope for interoperability and the ability to respond to a common threat. The twelve-day exercise with the French Army is scheduled to be conducted in multiple modules in order to achieve complete integration between the two contingents at every stage.[113][114]

#### Exercise Shoorveer

[edit]

From the first week of April to the first week of May 2012, the Indian Army launched a massive summer exercise in the Rajasthan desert, involving over 50,000 troops and several hundred artillery pieces and infantry combat vehicles, as part of its efforts to shore up its battle worthiness on the western front, the border with Pakistan. The exercise, code-named "Shoorveer", was being conducted by the Jaipur-based South Western Command. This was the largest ever exercise conducted by the Indian army since 1947. The collective training started with the honing of basic battle procedures and tactical drills.

Several field firings were carried out to check the accuracy and lethality of weapon systems. Many innovations, adopted by units and formations to enhance combat power, were tested in the field. The troops built on the training momentum gradually, with increasing combat tempo, to set the stage for a major joint army–air force exercise in the latter part of the exercise.[115]

#### Exercise Rudra Akrosh

[edit]

In May 2012, the Indian Army conducted several war games aimed (according to officials) at validating "the operational and transformational effectiveness of various formations under the Western Army Command".[116] The exercise involved approximately 20,000 troops and support from the Indian Air Force.

#### Exercise Shatrujeet

[edit]

In April 2016, the Indian Army conducted a major exercise called Shatrujeet, with the elite Mathura-based Strike Corps in the desert area of the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan, whose object was to evaluate the capability to strike deep into enemy territory, to deliver a quick, lethal strike against the enemy in an integrated air-land battle environment, with co-ordination among all the forces in a nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare scenario.[117][118][119]

## Mission and doctrine

[edit]

Initially, the army's main objective was to defend the nation's frontiers. However, over the years, the army has also taken up the responsibility of providing internal security, especially against insurgencies in Kashmir and Northeast India. Currently, the army is also looking at enhancing its special forces capabilities. With India's increasing international role, and the requirement to protect its interests in far-off countries becoming important, the Indian Army and the Indian Navy are jointly planning to set up a marine brigade.[120][121]

The current combat doctrine of the Indian Army is based on effectively utilising holding formations and strike formations. In the case of an attack, the holding formations would contain the enemy and strike formations would counter-attack to neutralise enemy forces. In the case of an Indian attack, the holding formations would pin enemy forces down, whilst the strike formations would attack at a point of India's choosing. The Indian Army is large enough to devote several corps to the strike role.

## Organisation

[edit]

### Leadership

[edit]

Main article: List of serving generals of the Indian Army

Leadership at Army Headquarters  Post  | Current Holder

|

Chief of the Army Staff | General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM[122]
Vice Chief of Army Staff | Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh, AVSM, SM**[123]
Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) | Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, UYSM, AVSM, SM***
Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Information Systems and Coordination) | Lieutenant General Rakesh Kapoor, AVSM, VSM
Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance) | Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh, AVSM, VSM
Adjutant General | Lieutenant General VPS Kaushik, UYSM, YSM, SM
Military Secretary | Lieutenant General Rashim Bali, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM
Quartermaster General  | Lieutenant General VMB Krishnan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM
Master General Sustenance  | Lieutenant General Amardeep Singh Aujla, PVSM, UYSM, YSM, SM, VSM
Engineer-in-Chief | Lieutenant General Arvind Walia, AVSM
Indian Army Structure (click to enlarge)

The troops are organized into 40 Divisions in 14 Corps.[citation needed] Army headquarters is located in the Indian capital, New Delhi, and it is under the overall command of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

### Command structure

[edit]

The army operates six operational commands and one training command.[124] Each command is headed by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief with the rank of Lieutenant General. Each command directly reports to Army HQ in New Delhi. These commands are given below in order of creation, with location (city) and commanders listed. There is also the Army Training Command (ARTRAC).

Six Area Headquarters are also part of the operational commands, alongside corps and divisions: Delhi; Dakshin Bharat (Southern Command); Madhiya; Uttar Pradesh; MG&G; and 101 Areas.

Insignia | Name | Headquarters  | Army Commander | Few of known Subordinate Unit(s)/ Formation(s)

|
|
|
|

| Headquarters, Indian Army | New Delhi |  | 50th Independent Parachute Brigade
| Central Command | Lucknow | Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta[125] | 6th Mountain Division
| Eastern Command | Kolkata | Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari[126] |

* III Corps

* 2nd Mountain Division –
* 57th Mountain Division
* 56th Infantry Division

* IV Corps

* 71st Mountain Division
* 5th Mountain Division
* 21st Mountain Division

* XXXIII Corps

* 17th Mountain Division
* 20th Mountain Division
* 27th Mountain Division

* XVII Corps[127][128]

* 59th Infantry Division
* 72 Infantry Division**

| Northern Command | Udhampur | Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma[129] |

* XIV Corps

* 3rd Infantry Division
* 8th Mountain Division

* XV Corps

* 19th Infantry Division,
* 28th Mountain Division

* XVI Corps

* 10th Infantry Division
* 25th Infantry Division
* 39th Infantry Division
* 10 Artillery brigade

* I Corps[130]

* 4th Infantry Division
* 23rd Infantry Division
* 33rd Armoured Division

| Southern Command | Pune | Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth[131] |

* 41st Artillery Division
* XII Corps

* 4th Armoured Brigade
* 340th Mechanised Brigade
* 11th Infantry Division
* 12th RAPID

* XXI Corps

* 31st Armoured Division
* 36th RAPID
* 54th Infantry Division
* 475th Engineering Brigade

| South Western Command | Jaipur | Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh[132] |

* 42nd Artillery Division
* X Corps

* 16th Infantry Division
* 18th RAPID
* 24th RAPID
* 6th Independent Armoured Brigade
* 615th Independent Air Defence Brigade
* 471st Engineering Brigade

| Western Command | Chandimandir | Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar[133] |

* 40th Artillery Division
* II Corps

* 1st Armoured Division
* 14th RAPID
* 22nd Infantry Division
* 474th Engineering Brigade
* 612th Mechanised Independent Air Defence Brigade

* IX Corps

* 26th Infantry Division
* 29th Infantry Division
* 2nd Independent Armoured Brigade
* 3rd Independent Armoured Brigade

* XI Corps

* 7th Infantry Division
* 9th Infantry Division
* 15th Infantry Division
* 23rd Armoured Brigade
* 55th Mechanised Brigade

| Army Training Command | Shimla | Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma[134] | Army Training Establishments

### Combat Arms

[edit]

Main article: List of regiments of the Indian Army

Indian Army and Egyptian Army during Exercise Cyclone Indian Army soldiers move into position while demonstrating a platoon level ambush to U.S. Army paratroopers. Indian army band in Russia during the Moscow Victory Day Parade

Not to be confused with the field corps listed above, the corps mentioned below are divisions entrusted with specific pan-Army tasks.

The Indian Territorial Army has battalions affiliated with different infantry regiments and some department units that are from the Corps of Engineers, Army Medical Corps, or the Army Service Corps. They serve as a part-time reserve. On 4 June 2017, the chief of staff announced that the Army was planning to open combat positions to women, who would first be appointed to positions in the military police.[citation needed]

President's Bodyguard in summer ceremonial uniforms in Rashtrapati Bhavan courtyard during changing of the guard Name  | Director General  | Centre

|
|

Armoured Corps | Lieutenant General Vivek Kashyap, PVSM, AVSM, VSM[135] | The Armoured Corps Centre and School, Ahmednagar
Regiment of Artillery | Lieutenant General Adosh Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, SM[136] | The School of Artillery, Devlali near Nasik
Corps of Army Air Defence | Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D'Cunha, SM[137] | Gopalpur, Odisha.
Army Aviation Corps | Lieutenant General Vinod Nambiar, SM[138] | Combat Army Aviation Training School, Nasik.
Corps of Engineers | Lieutenant General Arvind Walia, AVSM[139] | College of Military Engineering, Pune
Madras Engineer Group, Bangalore
Bengal Engineer Group, Roorkee
Bombay Engineer Group, Khadki near Pune
Corps of Signals | Lieutenant General Kanwar Vinod Kumar, AVSM[140] | Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), Mhow
Two Signal Training Centres at Jabalpur and Goa.
Mechanised Infantry |  | Ahmednagar
Infantry | Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar, VSM[141] | Multiple centres

#### Armoured Corps

[edit]

Kalyani and Tata Mine Protected Vehicles

There are 65 armoured regiments in the Indian Army. These include the President's Bodyguard and the 61st Cavalry as well as the following historic regiments dating back to the nineteenth century or earlier: 1st (Skinner's) Horse, the 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse), the 3rd Cavalry, the 4th (Hodson's) Horse, the 7th Light Cavalry, the 8th Light Cavalry, the 9th (Deccan) Horse, the 14th (Scinde) Horse, the 17th (Poona) Horse, the 15th Lancers, the 16th Light Cavalry, the 18th Cavalry, the 20th Lancers and the 21st (Central India) Horse. A substantial number of additional units designated as either "Cavalry" or "Armoured" Regiments have been raised since Independence.

#### Mechanised Infantry

[edit]

TATA Kestrel of the Indian Army

The Mechanised Infantry is the newest combat arm of the Indian Army. Often referred to as "tomorrow's arm in today's army", it is formed of two regiments—The Brigade of the Guards and Mechanised Infantry Regiment—and comprises 50 Mechanised Infantry battalions in all. It is the brainchild of General Krishnaswamy Sundarji (28 April 1930 – 8 February 1999), who was the Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army from 1986 to 1988. During the late 70s, as part of Indian Army modernisation, there was an urgent need to re-calibrate the Indian Mechanised Forces, which led to the forming of Mechanised Infantry units to further the shock-action, fire-power, flexibility, and mobility of armoured formations by including ground-holding ability. The Mechanised Infantry regiments were first created with carefully selected existing Infantry battalions, based on their operational performance. As the need for more mechanised battalions grew, the elite Brigade of The Guards was also converted to the mechanised profile. The two regiments along with the Armoured Corps form part of the Indian Army's elite "Mechanised Forces".

There are 50 mechanised infantry battalions in the Army. Of these, 10 are for reconnaissance and support battalions (5 wheeled and 5 tracked) and 40 are standard mechanised infantry battalions (10 wheeled and 30 tracked).[142]

The Standard and Recce & Support Tracked battalions are equipped with BMP-2 while the Wheeled ones are equipped with Jeep (mounted ATGM launchers) and BRDM-2. The recce and support battalions also included 4 ATGM battalions (including 17 Guards battalion). These were later converted to R&S battalions.[143]

#### Infantry

[edit]

Indian soldier from White Knight Corps armed with a standard issued Sig 716i, 2021 Soldiers of the Rajput Regiment during a Republic Day Parade Soldiers of the Sikh Light Infantry during a Republic Day Parade

Upon its inception, the Indian Army inherited the British Army's organisational structure, which is still maintained today. Therefore, like its predecessor, an Indian infantry regiment's responsibility is not to undertake field operations but to provide battalions and well-trained personnel to the field formations. As such, it is common to find battalions of the same regiment spread across several brigades, divisions, corps, commands, and even theatres. Like its British and Commonwealth counterparts, troops enlisted within the regiment are immensely loyal, take great pride in the regiment to which they are assigned, and generally spend their entire career within the regiment.

Most Indian Army infantry regiments recruit based on certain selection criteria, such as region (for example, the Assam Regiment), caste/community (Jat Regiment), or religion (Sikh Regiment). Most regiments continue the heritage of regiments raised under the British Raj, but some have been raised after independence, some of which have specialised in border defence, in particular the Ladakh Scouts, the Arunachal Scouts, and the Sikkim Scouts.

Over the years there have been fears that troops' allegiance lay more with their regiments and the regions/castes/communities/religions from which they were recruited, as opposed to the Indian union as a whole. Thus some "all India" or "all class" regiments have been created, which recruit troops from all over India, regardless of region, caste, community, or religion: such as the Brigade of the Guards (which later converted to the Mechanised Infantry profile) and the Parachute Regiment.

Given the rise in drone warfare, the Indian Army inlcuded drone platoons to each of its infantry battalions.[144]

Infantry regiments in the Indian Army[145] Regiment  | Regimental Center  | Raised

|
|

Parachute Regiment | Bangalore, Karnataka | 1945
Punjab Regiment | Ramgarh Cantonment, Jharkhand | 1761
Madras Regiment | Wellington Cantonment, Tamil Nadu | 1758
The Grenadiers | Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh | 1778
Maratha Light Infantry | Belgaum, Karnataka  | 1768
Rajputana Rifles | Delhi Cantonment, New Delhi | 1775
Rajput Regiment | Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh | 1778
Jat Regiment | Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh  | 1795
Sikh Regiment | Ramgarh Cantonment, Jharkhand  | 1846
Sikh Light Infantry | Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh  | 1857
Dogra Regiment | Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh  | 1877
Garhwal Rifles | Lansdowne, Uttarakhand | 1887
Kumaon Regiment | Ranikhet, Uttarakhand  | 1813
Assam Regiment | Shillong, Meghalaya | 1941
Bihar Regiment | Danapur Cantonment, Bihar | 1941
Mahar Regiment | Sagar, Madhya Pradesh  | 1941
Jammu & Kashmir Rifles | Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh  | 1821
Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry | Avantipur, Jammu and Kashmir | 1947
Naga Regiment | Ranikhet, Uttarakhand  | 1970
1 Gorkha Rifles | Sabathu, Himachal Pradesh | 1815
3 Gorkha Rifles | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh  | 1815
4 Gorkha Rifles | Sabathu, Himachal Pradesh  | 1857
5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) | Shillong, Meghalaya  | 1858
8 Gorkha Rifles | Shillong, Meghalaya  | 1824
9 Gorkha Rifles | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh  | 1817
11 Gorkha Rifles | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh  | 1918
Ladakh Scouts | Leh, Jammu and Kashmir  | 1963
Rashtriya Rifles | Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir  | 1990
Arunachal Scouts | Shillong, Meghalaya  | 2010
Sikkim Scouts | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh  | 2013

#### Artillery

[edit]

Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launchers were used during the Kargil War.

The Regiment of Artillery is the second-largest arm of the Indian Army, constituting nearly one-sixth of the Army's total strength. Originally raised in 1935 as part of the Royal Indian Artillery of the British Indian Army, the Regiment is now tasked with providing the Army's towed and self-propelled field artillery, including guns, howitzers, heavy mortars, rockets, and missiles.

As an integral part of nearly all combat operations conducted by the Indian Army, the Regiment of Artillery has a history of being a major contributor to its military success. During the Kargil War, it was the Indian Artillery that inflicted the most damage.[146] Over the years, five artillery officers have gone on to the Army's highest post as Chief of Army Staff.

Dhanush artillery gun

For some time, the Regiment of Artillery commanded a significantly larger share of the Army's personnel than it does now, as it was also responsible for air defence artillery and some aviation assets. The 1990s saw the formation of the Corps of Army Air Defence and the coalescing of all aviation assets into the Army Aviation Corps. The arm is now focused on field artillery and supplies regiments and batteries to each of the operational commands. The home of the Regiment is in Nashik, Maharashtra, where their headquarters is located, along with the service's museum. The School of Artillery of the Indian Army is located nearby, in Devlali.

After suffering consistent failure to import or produce modern artillery for three decades,[147][148] the Regiment of Artillery is finally going ahead with procurement of brand new 130-mm and 155-mm guns.[149][150][151] The Army is also putting large numbers of rocket launchers into service, with 22 regiments to be equipped with the indigenously developed Pinaka multi barrel rocket launcher by the end of the next decade.[152]

#### Corps of Engineers

[edit]

The Indian Army Corps of Engineers has a long history dating back to the mid-18th century. The earliest existing subunit of the Corps (18 Field Company) dates back to 1777, while the Corps officially recognises its birth as 1780, when the senior-most group of the Corps, the Madras Sappers, were raised. The Corps consists of three groups of combat engineers, namely the Madras Sappers, the Bengal Sappers, and the Bombay Sappers. A group is roughly analogous to a regiment of the Indian infantry, each group consisting of several engineer regiments. The engineer regiment is the basic combat-engineer unit, analogous to an infantry battalion.

#### Corps of Signals

[edit]

Indian Army Corps of Signals is a corps and the arm of the Indian Army which handles its military communications. It was formed on 15 February 1911 as a separate entity under Lieutenant Colonel S. H. Powell and went on to make important contributions during World War I and World War II.[153] On 15 February 2011, the corps celebrated the 100th anniversary of its raising.[154]

#### Army Aviation Corps

[edit]

The Army Aviation Corps, formed on 1 November 1986, is the aviation arm of the Indian Army. It is headed by a Director-General with the rank of Lieutenant General at Army HQ in New Delhi.

#### Corps of Army Air Defence

[edit]

During Operation Sindoor, Akashteer played a central role in neutralizing drone and air attacks by Pakistan[155][156][157]

The Corps of Army Air Defence (abbreviated AAD) is an active corps of the Indian Army, and a major combat formation tasked with the air defences of the country from foreign threats. The Corps is responsible for the protection of Indian air space from enemy aircraft and missiles, especially those below 5,000 feet.[158]

The history of the AAD dates back to 1939, during the times of the British Raj in India. The corps actively took part in the Second World War, fighting on behalf of the British Empire. Post-independence, the corps has participated in all the wars involving India, starting with the 1947 Indo-Pakistani War, up to the 1999 Kargil conflict. The corps enjoyed autonomous status from 1994, after the bifurcation of the Corps of Air Defence Artillery from the Army's artillery regiment. A separate training school, the Army Air Defence College (AADC), was established to train its personnel.

### Services

[edit]

Name  | Director General  | Centre

|
|

Army Service Corps |  | Bangalore
Army Medical Corps | Lieutenant General Sadhna Saxena Nair, AVSM, VSM[159] | Lucknow/Pune
Army Dental Corps | Lieutenant General Vineet Sharma, AVSM, VSM  | Lucknow
Army Ordnance Corps | Lieutenant General Suresh Chandra Tandi, AVSM, VSM  | Jabalpur and Secunderabad (HQ)
Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers | Lieutenant General JS Sidana, AVSM  | Secunderabad
Remount and Veterinary Corps |  | Meerut
Army Education Corps | \-  | Pachmarhi
Corps of Military Police |  | Bangalore
Pioneer Corps |  | Bangalore
Army Postal Service Corps | \-  | Kamptee near Nagpur
Territorial Army | Lieutenant General Raju Baijal, SM  | New Delhi
Defence Security Corps | \-  | Kannur Cantonment, Kerala
Intelligence Corps | \-  | Pune
Judge Advocate General's Department | \-  | Institute of Military Law Kamptee, Nagpur
Military Nursing Service | \-  | Pune and Lucknow
Human Rights Cell  | \-  | Delhi

#### Recruitment and training

[edit]

Main article: Military academies in India

Pre-commission training of Gentlemen Cadets is carried out at the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun and the Officers Training Academy at Chennai. There are also specialised training institutions such as the Army War College, at Mhow, Madhya Pradesh; the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS), at Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir; the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJW), in Vairengte, Mizoram; and the College of Military Engineering (CME), in Pune.

The Army Training Command (ARTRAC), at Shimla, supervises training of personnel.

In 2020 a 'Tour of Duty' scheme was proposed for voluntary recruitment into the forces for civilians, to enable them to join for three years of short service.[160] The scheme is on a trial basis and will start with a test group of 100 officers and 1000 jawans.[161]

##### Agnipath Scheme

[edit]

Main article: Agnipath Scheme

Agnipath Scheme is a new scheme introduced by the Government of India on 14 June 2022, for recruitment of soldiers below the rank of commissioned officers into the three services of the armed forces.[162][163] All recruits will be hired only for a four-year period. Personnel recruited under this system are to be called Agniveers (transl. Fire-Warriors), which will be a new military rank. The introduction of the scheme has been criticized for lack of consultation and public debate. The scheme was implemented in September 2022.

Recruitment in the Indian Army from 2015[164] Year  | Soldiers

|

2015–16  | 71,804
2016–17  | 52,447
2017–18  | 50,026
2018–19  | 53,431
2019–20  | 80,572
2020–21  | 0
2021–22  | 0
2022–23  | 0
2023-24  | 13,000

This scheme will bypass many things including long tenures, pension and other benefits which were there in old system.[165] Opposition parties in India have criticised and expressed concerns about the consequences of the new scheme. They have asked the scheme to be put on hold and that the scheme be discussed in the Parliament.[166]

#### Intelligence

[edit]

Main article: Directorate of Military Intelligence (India)

The Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) is an intelligence-gathering arm of the Indian Army. The MI (as it is commonly referred to) was constituted in 1941. It was initially created to check corruption in the Army's ranks. With time, its role has evolved into cross-border intelligence, intelligence sharing with friendly nations, infiltrating insurgent groups, and counterterrorism.

In the late 1970s, the MI was embroiled in the Samba spy scandal, wherein three Indian Army officers were falsely implicated as Pakistani spies. The organisation has since emerged from the scandal as a prime intelligence organisation of the Indian Army.

As of 2012[update], the MI has seen many of its roles taken away by the newly created National Technical Research Organisation and the Defence Intelligence Agency.[167] Since it was set up in 2004 as a premier scientific agency under the National Security Adviser in the Prime Minister's Office, it also includes the National Institute of Cryptology Research and Development (NICRD), which is the first of its kind in Asia.[168]

#### STEAG

[edit]

The Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group (STEAG), a specialist technical unit tasked with investigating and evaluating cutting-edge communication technologies, was founded by the Indian Army on 18 March 2024. It will prioritize the development of specialized technologies for both wired and wireless systems, such as 5G and 6G networks, quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, machine learning, software-defined radios (SDR), electronic exchanges, mobile communications, and Electronic Warfare (EW) systems. In order to find appropriate defense applications, the unit will work with industry and academics to utilize state-of-the-art technology. In addition to developing and evaluating key Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions, STEAG will do technical scouting and provide user interface assistance by maintaining and upgrading modern technologies.[169]

### Field formations

[edit]

Below are the basic field formations of the Indian Army:

* Command: Indian Army has six operational commands and one training command. Each one is headed by a general officer commanding-in-chief (GOC-in-C), known as the army commander, who is among the senior-most Lieutenant General officers in the army.
* Corps: A command generally consists of two or more corps. Indian Army has 14 Corps each one commanded by a general officer commanding (GOC), known as the corps commander, who holds the rank of Lieutenant General.[124] Each corps is composed of three or four divisions. There are three types of corps in the Indian Army: Strike, Holding and Mixed. The Corps HQ is the highest field formation in the army.[170]
* Division: Each division is headed by GOC (division commander) in the rank of major general.[124] It usually consists of three to four Brigades.[124] Currently, the Indian Army has 40 Divisions[citation needed] including four RAPIDs (Re-organised Army Plains Infantry Division), 18 Infantry Divisions, 12 Mountain Divisions, three Armoured Divisions and three Artillery Divisions.
* Brigade: A brigade generally consists of around 3,000 combat troops with supporting elements. An Infantry Brigade usually has three Infantry battalions along with various Support Elements.[124] It is commanded by a brigade commander who is a Brigadier,[124] equivalent to a brigadier general in some armies. In addition to the Brigades in various Army Divisions, the Indian Army also has five Independent Armoured Brigades, 15 Independent Artillery Brigades, seven Independent Infantry Brigades, one Independent Parachute Brigade, three Independent Air Defence Brigades, two Independent Air Defence Groups and four Independent Engineer Brigades. These Independent Brigades operate directly under the Corps Commander (GOC Corps).
* Battalion: Composed of four rifle companies.[124] Commanded by a battalion commander who is a Colonel[124] and is the Infantry's main fighting unit. Every infantry battalion also possesses one Ghatak Platoon.[171]
* Company: Composed of three platoons.[124] Commanded by a company commander who is a major or lieutenant-colonel.[124]
* Battery: Comprising either 3 or 4 sections, in artillery and air defence units. Every battery has two officers, the senior of which is the Battery Commander.
* Platoon: Composed of three sections.[124] Commanded by a platoon commander who is a JCO.[124]
* Section: Smallest military outfit, with a strength of 10 personnel. Commanded by a section commander of the rank of Havaldar.[124]

### Indian Army forts

[edit]

* Fort William, Kolkata: Garrison of Eastern Army Command
* Fort St George, Chennai: Garrison of ATNK&K Army Area
* OD Fort, Allahabad, Ordnance Depot

## Personnel

[edit]

National War Memorial in honour of soldiers who laid down their lives for the nation.[172]

The Indian Army is a voluntary service, and although a provision for military conscription exists in the Indian constitution, conscription has never been imposed. As of 1 July 2017[update], the Indian Army has a sanctioned strength of 49,932 officers (42,253 serving, being 7,679 under strength), and 1,215,049 enlisted personnel (1,194,864 serving, being 20,185 under strength).[173][174] Recently, it has been proposed to increase the strength of the army by more than 90,000, to counter the increasing presence of Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control.[175][176] According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, in 2020 the army had a strength of 1,237,000 active personnel and 960,000 reserve personnel.[177] Of those in reserve, 300,000 are first-line reserves (within 5 years of active service), 500,000 are committed to return if called until the age of 50, and 160,000 were in the Indian Territorial Army, with 40,000 in regular establishment. This makes the Indian Army the world's largest standing volunteer army.[178][179]

### Rank structure

[edit]

Main article: Army ranks and insignia of India

The ranks of the Indian Army for the most part follow the British Army tradition.

Strength of the Indian Army

1. Officers 42,913 (3.49%)
2. Personnel below officer rank 1,185,146 (96.5%)

Strength of the Indian Army[180]

Pay level  | Rank  | Borne Strength (status as on 1st July, 2021)
Officers
18  | General  | 1
17/16/15  | Lieutenant General  | 80
14  | Major General  | 292
13A  | Brigadier  | 1162
13  | Colonel  | 5586
12A  | Lieutenant Colonel  | 12620
11  | Major  | 11885
10B  | Captain  | 6637
10  | Lieutenant  | 3218
—  | Re-employed & Officers in select rank officers outside cadre  | 1574
Total |  | 43055
Officers in AMC & ADC | 6647
Officers in MNS | 3866
GRAND TOTAL |  | 53568

As of January 2019, the Indian Army had an authorized strength of 50,312 officers and 1,223,381 personnel below officer rank (PBOR), bringing the total to 1,273,693. However, there was a shortfall of 7,399 officers and 38,235 PBORs, reducing the actual strength to 42,913 officers and 1,185,146 PBORs. This resulted in a total actual strength of 1,228,059 personnel.[181]

Commissioned Officers Commissioned officers are the leaders of the army and command units from platoon/company to brigade, division, corps, and above.

Indian Army officers are continually put through different courses of training, and assessed on merit, for promotions and appointments. Substantive promotions up to lieutenant colonel, or equivalent, are based on time in service, whereas those for the colonel and above are based on selection, with promotion to colonel being also based on time served.

Equivalent ranks of Indian military  Commission  | Indian Navy | Indian Army | Indian Air Force

|
|
|

Commissioned  | Admiral of the fleet | Field marshal | Marshal of the Indian Air Force
Admiral | General | Air chief marshal
Vice admiral | Lieutenant general | Air marshal
Rear admiral | Major general | Air vice marshal
Commodore | Brigadier | Air commodore
Captain | Colonel | Group captain
Commander | Lieutenant colonel | Wing commander
Lieutenant commander | Major | Squadron leader
Lieutenant | Captain | Flight lieutenant
Sub lieutenant | Lieutenant | Flying officer
Junior commissioned  | Master chief petty officer 1st class | Subedar major[Alt 1] | Master warrant officer
Master chief petty officer 2nd class | Subedar[Alt 2] | Warrant officer
Chief petty officer | Naib subedar[Alt 3] | Junior warrant officer
Non-commissioned  | Petty officer | Havildar/Daffadar | Sergeant
Leading seaman | Naik/Lance daffadar | Corporal
Seaman 1 | Lance naik/Acting Lance-Daffadar | Leading aircraftsman
Seaman 2 | Sepoy/Sowar | Aircraftsman

1. ^ Risaldar major in cavalry and armoured regiments
2. ^ Risaldar in cavalry and armoured regiments
3. ^ Naib risaldar in cavalry and armoured regiments. Called jemadar until 1965.

Rank group  | General / flag officers  | Senior officers  | Junior officers

|
|
|

Indian Army[182]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Field marshal
फील्ड मार्शल | General
जनरल | Lieutenant general
लेफ्टिनेंट जनरल | Major general
मेजर जनरल | Brigadier
ब्रिगेडियर | Colonel
कर्नल | Lieutenant colonel
लेफ्टिनेंट कर्नल | Major
मेजर | Captain
कैप्टन | Lieutenant
लेफ्टिनेंट
| Honorary/
War time rank  | Held by the
Chief of Defence Staff (with different insignia)
or the
Chief of the Army Staff

An Indian Army paratrooper with the 50th Parachute Brigade jumps from a helicopter

Other Ranks

Rank group | Junior commissioned officers | Non commissioned officer | Enlisted

|
|
|

Indian Army[182]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  | No insignia
Subedar-major
सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar
सूबेदार | Naib subedar
नायब सूबेदार | Havildar
हवलदार | Naik
नायक | Lance naik
लांस नायक | Sepoy
सिपाही

### Uniforms

[edit]

To make themselves less of a target, the forces of the East India Company in India dyed their white summer tunics to neutral tones initially a tan called khaki (from the Hindi word for "dusty"). This was a temporary measure that became standard in the Indian service in the 1880s. Only during the Second Boer War in 1902, did the entire British Army standardise on dun for Service Dress. The Indian Army uniform standardised on dun for khaki.

The service dress consists of a dark green coloured short-sleeved shirt with matching dark green trousers. Officers can add a four pocket tunic worn over a peach coloured button down shirt and black tie. The Winter "Angola", meaning Angora wool, version substitutes a light brown/dark khaki long-sleeved button up shirt. It is accompanied by beret or peaked cap depending on the regiment the soldier belongs to. Organizational headwear, sashes, belts, spats, medals, lanyards, and other achievements are added for ceremonial duties. A black version is worn by the Armoured Corps.[183]

The 2006 standard issued camouflage uniform of the Indian Army was the PC-DPM which consists of French Camouflage Europe Centrale featuring a forest camouflage pattern and is designed for use in woodland environments being printed on BDU. The Desert variant issued in 2006 was based on the French Camouflage Daguet printed on BDU, which features a desert camouflage pattern, is used by artillery and infantry posted in dusty, semi-desert, and desert areas of Rajasthan and its vicinity. Starting in 2022, a digital pixelated camouflage pattern uniform designed by NIFT has been adopted, while the uniform style is similar to the US Marine MMCUU uniform.[184][185]

The new camouflage pattern retains the mix of colours including olive green and earthen, and has been designed keeping in mind aspects like areas of deployment of the troops and climatic conditions they operate in. According to the officials, the fabric of the new material makes it lighter, sturdier, more breathable, and more suitable for the different terrains that the soldiers are posted in.[186]

The new uniform, unlike the old one, has a combat T-shirt worn underneath and a jacket over it. Also, unlike the older uniform, the shirt will not be tucked in. The jacket has angular top pockets, lower pockets with vertical openings, knife pleats at the back, a pocket on the left sleeve & a pen holder on the left forearm, and improved-quality buttons. The trousers will be adjustable at the waist with elastic and buttons, and has a double layer at the groin. For the caps, the girth will be adjustable, and the logo of the Army will be of better quality than earlier.

The new uniforms would not be available in the open market. The uniforms will be barcoded and QR coded to maintain their uniqueness and will be available only through the ordnance chain or military canteens.[187] To control random proliferation, they will come in over a dozen pre-stitched standard sizes. The new uniform will be made available in a phased manner to the nearly 1.2 million personnel of the Indian Army.

The modern Indian Army wears distinctive parade uniforms characterised by variegated turbans and waist-sashes in regimental colours. The Gurkha and Garhwal Rifles and the Assam, Kumaon, and Naga Regiments wear broad-brimmed hats of traditional style. Traditionally, all rifle regiments (the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, the Garhwal Rifles, all Gorkha Rifles, and the Rajputana Rifles), as well as the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, wear rank badges, buttons, and wire-embroidered articles in black, instead of the usual brass (or gold) colour, as the original role of the rifle regiments was camouflage and concealment.

* Indian Army officer in green service uniform

* Soldiers of the Assam Regiment wearing the Angola winter shirt.

* Winter camouflage adopted in 2022

* Indian Army Para-Commando wearing the PC-DPM based on a combination of French French Camouflage Europe Centrale printed on US-style BDU

* Senior officer from Northern Command wearing the new NIFT Camouflage

* Indian Army personnel wearing the new uniform designed by NIFT

* 14th Maratha jawan in ceremonial version of the service dress

### Medals and awards

[edit]

Main article: Awards and decorations of the Indian Armed Forces

The medals awarded by the President of India for gallantry displayed on the battlefield, in order of precedence, are Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra.

The medals awarded by the President for gallantry displayed away from the battlefield, in order of precedence, are Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra.

Many of the recipients of these awards have been Indian Army personnel.

### Women

[edit]

All Women contingents from the three services during Republic day parade 2024

Main article: Women in the Indian Army

The role of women in the Indian Army began when the Indian Military Nursing Service was formed in 1888. Nurses served in World Wars I and II, where 350 Indian Army nurses either died, were taken prisoner of war, or declared missing in action; this includes nurses who died when SS Kuala was sunk by Japanese Bombers in 1942.[188] In 1992, the Indian Army began inducting women officers in non-medical roles.[189]

### Agnipath Recruiting Scheme

[edit]

The Agnipath Scheme[190] (also spelled Agneepath Scheme) (Hindi: Agnīpath Yojanā, transl. Agnipath Scheme) is a tour of duty style scheme approved by the Government of India on 14 June 2022 and implemented in the country a few months later in September 2022, for recruitment of soldiers below the rank of commissioned officers into the three services of the armed forces.[162] All recruits will be hired only for a four-year period however 25% will be eligible for advancement into career status.[191] Personnel recruited under this system are to be called Agniveers (transl. Fire-Warriors), which will be a new military rank.[192][163] The introduction of the scheme has been criticised for lack of consultation and public debate.[163] Initial training will last six months and the remaining three years and six months will be service time.[193]

## Equipment

[edit]

Main articles: List of equipment of the Indian Army and List of active Indian military aircraft

Akash Surface to Air Missile

Most of the army equipment is imported, but efforts are being made to manufacture indigenous equipment. The Defence Research and Development Organisation has developed a range of weapons for the Indian Army, including small arms, artillery, radars, and the Arjun tank. All Indian military small-arms are manufactured under the umbrella administration of the Ordnance Factories Board, with principal firearm manufacturing facilities in Ichhapore, Cossipore, Kanpur, Jabalpur, and Tiruchirapalli. The Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) rifle, which has been successfully deployed since 1997, is a product of Rifle Factory Ishapore, while ammunition is manufactured at Khadki, and possibly at Bolangir.[194][195]

In 2014, Army chief General Bikram Singh said that if given sufficient budget support, the Indian Army might be able to acquire half the ammunition needed to fight in a major conflict by the next year.[196]

HAL Rudra

### Aircraft

[edit]

The Army Aviation Corps is the main body of the Indian Army for tactical air transport, reconnaissance, and medical evacuation, while the Indian Air Force's helicopter assets are responsible for assisting army troop transport and close air support. The Aviation Corps operates approximately 150 helicopters. The Indian army had projected a requirement for a helicopter that can carry loads of up to 750 kilograms (1,650 lb) to heights of 7,000 m (23,000 ft) on the Siachen Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir. Flying at these heights poses unique challenges due to the rarefied atmosphere. The Indian Army will induct the HAL Light Utility Helicopter to replace its ageing fleet of Chetaks and Cheetahs, some of which were deployed more than three decades ago.[197]

On 13 October 2012, the defence minister gave control of attack helicopters to the Indian Army, which had formerly rested the Indian Air force.[198]

### Future developments

[edit]

Main articles: List of equipment of the Indian Army § Future procurement and projects, and List of infantry equipment of the Indian Army § Future procurement and projects

The major ongoing weapons programmes of the Indian Army are as follows:

* F-INSAS is the Indian Army's principal infantry modernisation programme, which aims to modernise the army's 465 infantry and paramilitary battalions by 2020. The programme aims to upgrade the infantry to a multi-calibre rifle with an under-barrel grenade launcher, as well as bulletproof jackets and helmets. The helmet would include a visor, flashlight, thermal sensors, night vision devices, and a miniature computer with an audio headset. There would also be a new lightweight and waterproof uniform, which would help the soldier in carrying extra loads and fighting in an NBC environment.[199]
* In 2008, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved raising two new infantry mountain divisions (with around 15,000 combat soldiers each) and an artillery brigade. These divisions were likely to be armed with ultralight howitzers.[200] In July 2009, it was reported that the Army was advocating a new artillery division. The proposed artillery division, to be under the Kolkata-based Eastern Command, was to have three brigades – two armed with 155 mm howitzers and one with the Russian "Smerch" and indigenous "Pinaka" multiple-launch rocket systems.[201]
* In February 2024, reports emerged for the formation of a new Corps under the Central Command for deployment along Line of Actual Control (LAC).[202] The XVIII Corps will consist of at least one division (with around 15,000 to 18,000 combat soldiers each) and three independent brigades. This includes 14 RAPID Division, 9 Mountain Brigade, 136 Mountain Brigade and 119 Mountain Brigade. This move will convert HQ Uttar Bharat from a Static Formation into 'Full-fledged Combat Arm'.[203][204] This move is in a proposal stage in the Army and will be forwarded to the Ministry of Defence for clearance.[205]
* In April 2024, Indian Army proposed two new formations. One of them was the creation of an "adversial force" acting as opposing force which will represent an enemy force in wargames. The other one is a "test-bed brigades or formation" which will enhance the efficiency of testing new weapons for procurement.[206]
* The Indian Army is also preparing to form Integrated Battle Groups and replace the traditional formations of Divisions and Brigades.[207]

## Force modernisation and reorganisation

[edit]

The Indian Army planned to undergo a phased restructuring from 2023 in order to become a lean, agile, and technologically advanced military. The internal study report Re-organization and Rightsizing of the Indian Army from 2022 served as its foundation. As part of the restructuring, the Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi ordered the creation of the Rudra all-arms brigades, Bhairav light commando battalions, Shaktibaan artillery regiments and Divyastra batteries on 25 July 2025. He announced these approvals in Drass War Memorial on 26 July on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas.[208][209][210] Additionally, he also announced that each infantry batallion is also equipped with drone platoons.[211] In multi-domain battlefields dominated by information, digitization, automation, precision, and AI, Rudra and Bhairav are built for quick and decisive action.[212] The Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi called these restructuring moves as Indian Army’s approach as a “transformative, modern, and future-oriented force”.[213]

On 10 August, it was reported that the Indian Army has issued "specific orders" with "implementation instructions" to undertake these major reorganisations through “Save and Raise” mode which will not have an effect on the defence budget.[214][215]

### Rudra all-arms brigades

[edit]

The concept of combined arms operations was first demonstrated with the Indian Army in a field exercises in Punjab in 2013.[209] The idea was later reintroduced in 2018 by the then CoAS General Bipin Rawat as Integrated Battle Group (IBG).[216]

The Integrated Battle Groups would be Brigade-sized, self-sufficient combined arms formations commanded by an officer of the rank Major General. The IBGs are meant to transform the overall field formation of the Indian Army. As of July 2019, the new concept of formations had been test-bedded with the IX Corps (Rising Star Corps) and were being reorganised based on the basis of feedbacks. The formation of a specific IBG amd its resource allocation would depend on three T's — Threat, Terrain and Task. The formation would have mobilisation time of 12–48 hours. The IBG will replace the traditional field formation of Commands–Corps–Divisions–Brigades with Commands and Corps being the largest static formation spread across a defined geography and the largest mobile formation, respectively. As of 2019, each IBG fields 5,000 troops and includes infantry, armoured, artillery and air defence units. The composition of IBG also depends on its nature – offensive or defensive. While Offensive IBG will be designed to be mobilised at the earliest to thrust into enemy territory for strike operations, the Defensive IBG will be tasked to hold ground at vulnerable points where enemy action is expected.[217]

In October 2019, the 59 Infantry Division of the XVII Corps (Brahmastra Corps) conducted its first Integrated Battle Groups (IBG) military exercise for the formation's validation. Exercise Him Vijay included three IBGs of the Division. The aim was to reduce the response time Cold Start Doctrine's 72 hours to below 24 hours.[218] By May 2022, the IBGs were test-bedded by IX Corps and further validated by the XVII Corps. The Army identified these Holding Corps in the Western Front and the Strike Corps in the Northern/Eastern Front for total 'IBG-isation' parallel to the formation of Integrated Theatre Commands to integrate the Armed Forces into larger theatres.[219][220]

As of June 2024, two and five IBGs under IX Corps and XVII Corps were raised under the first and second phases, respectively. These formations were also war-gamed and validated in multiple instances. Though the Army HQ had earlier submitted the report on Phase 1 of 'IBG-isation', the Defence Ministry also demanded the same for Phase 2 before the official Government Sanction Letter (GSL) can be issued. The original plan was to initially carve out 8–10 IBGs (5,000 to 6,000 troops each) and followed by more over the years.[221] By November 2024, the Army submitted a draft GSL seeking official approval for the establishment of IBGs. The issuing of the GSL implied the approval for the implementation of IBGs. Post approval, the Army aimed to have the IBGs operational by 2025.[222][223]

During the annual press conference on 15 January 2025, on the occasion of the Army Day, CoAS General Upendra Dwivedi said that the Integrated Battle Groups will be either implemented if approval is granted in 2025 else the project will be totally abandoned. The proposals were in the final stages of approval and has financial as well as equipment and human resources implications. "It is the first Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) as far as the restructuring is concerned. If it goes through, others will also follow suit," as per the COAS stated by a report. Some top-of-the-rack changes in the Northern Theatre Command has been identified to implement the IBGs and will incorporate lessons learnt from Exercise Him Vijay 2019\. The IBGs could be equipped to lead surgical strike-like operations in case of a war unlike the current structure of the Army where the same role is carried out by Strike Corps.[224][225]

However, on the occasion of 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas, the COAS announced that he had approved the formation of Rudra all-arms brigades a day earlier, on 25 July 2025 and that two brigades deployed on the border has already been converted to Rudra brigades. As part of the plan, 250 single-arm brigades — with over 3,000 soldiers each — are to be converted to all-arms ones with integration of fighting elements like infantry, mechanised infantry, armoured (tanks), Special Forces as well as support elements like artillery, engineers, air defence, electronic warfare and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). The formations will receive specially prepared logistics for support and combat support. The Rudra brigades incorporated the concept of Integrated Battle Groups.[213][226][227]

Reportedly, the two Rudra brigades that are already formed will be operationalised in eastern Ladakh and Sikkim likely under IX Corps and XVII Corps, respectively, within few months.[215][227]

### Bhairav Light Commando Battalions

[edit]

The Indian Army is raising a new formation, the Bhairav Light Commando Battalions, designed to deliver surprise strikes against the enemy along the border and act as shock troops. Raised under the long-standing “son of the soil” concept which is used by the Indian Army while raising battalions, Infantry Regimental Centres have been tasked by the Army Chief to select, train, and depute personnel for these units, which will be affiliated with and operate alongside specific corps. After initial training, troops will undergo further instruction at Special Forces training centres. Intended for special tasks to inflict damage on the enemy, Bhairav Battalions will be lighter armed and less strategically tasked than the Special Forces, serving instead as a bridge between Special Forces and regular infantry, thereby freeing the former for more critical operations.[214] The concept of the battalion has evolved from Ghatak Platoon.[209]

As per a report on 14 August, The Indian Army plans to have five such batallions by the end of August 2025.[228]

### Shaktibaan regiments and Divyastra batteries

[edit]

The Indian Army will also reorganise the Artillery Regiments to adapt with modern battlefield needs. Each newly raised Shaktibaan Regiment will comprise two gun batteries exceeding the earlier standard of six guns per battery, along with a composite unit, designated the Divyastra Battery, which are essentially infantry battalions equipped with extended-range loitering munitions, Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and counter unmanned air systems (C-UAS). This represents a departure from the typical artillery regiment structure of three batteries, each with six guns, for a total of 18 guns. The Shaktibaan regiments will be deployed along the India–Pakistan border.[211][214][215]

Under the first phase, five artillery regiments is expected to be introduced with Divyastra batteries.As per a report on 14 August, The Indian Army plans to have five such batallions by the end of August 2025.[228]

## See also

[edit]

* Centre for Land Warfare Studies
* List of serving generals of the Indian Army
* Central Armed Police Forces
* Army Day (India)
* Indian National Army
* Indian Army United Nations peacekeeping missions
* Army Red Football Club
* Army Green Football Club

## References

[edit]

Citations

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202. ^ "Army to set up new corps for operations along LAC". The Indian Express. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
203. ^ Philip, Snehesh Alex (20 February 2024). "Army's Central Command gets 'combatised' to counter China, new corps raised". ThePrint. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
204. ^ "Indian Army to set up new corps for operations along LAC". Indian Army to set up new corps for operations along LAC. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
205. ^ "Indian Army Mulls XVIII Corps Formation for Enhanced Border Security with China". Financialexpress. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
206. ^ "Indian Army plans aggressor red team, test-bed units in modernisation drive". www.business-standard.com. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
207. ^ "India to deploy Integrated Battle Groups to counter China days after border truce". India Today. 5 November 2024. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
208. ^ Mallick, Ashesh (26 July 2025). "'New All-Arms Brigades Being Formed': Army Chief Announces 'Rudra' On Kargil Vijay Diwas". News18. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
209. ^ a b c Banerjee, Ajay (28 July 2025). "'Rudra' to power up brigades for future wars". The Tribune. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
210. ^ "India's new strike power: Army Chief announces 'Rudra Brigade' for multi-domain combat readiness". The Statesman. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
211. ^ a b "'Shaktiban regiment' of Indian Army: What it is? What will it do?". The Week. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
212. ^ Mohan, Vijay (27 July 2025). "Explainer: High on mobility and firepower, Rudra brigades align with post-Op Sindoor strategy". The Tribune. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
213. ^ a b "All about Indian Army's new Rudra brigade and Bhairav Commando units". Hindustan Times. 27 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
214. ^ a b c Singh, Mayank (11 August 2025). "Bhairav, Rudra units to boost combat power". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
215. ^ a b c "Army to station specialised 'Rudra' brigades in eastern Ladakh, Sikkim". The Tribune. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
216. ^ "Integrated Battle Groups - Current Affairs". 11 May 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
217. ^ Peri, Dinakar (28 July 2019). "Army's first Integrated Battle Groups to be structured by end of next month". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
218. ^ Philip, Snehesh (11 September 2019). "Army to debut its Mountain Strike Corps next month, at HimVijay exercise in Arunachal". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
219. ^ Singh, Mayank (11 May 2022). "Integrated Battle Groups are in final stage, says Army Chief". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
220. ^ Peri, Dinakar (10 May 2022). "Consultations on creation of Integrated Battle Groups being compiled: Army Chief Gen. Pande". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
221. ^ "New government to decide on Army's integrated battle group plan". The Times of India. 10 June 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
222. ^ "India Gears Up for Battle-Ready Integrated Groups Along Its Borders". Financialexpress. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
223. ^ "India to deploy Integrated Battle Groups to counter China days after border truce". India Today. 5 November 2024. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
224. ^ "Integrated Battle Groups to be up by 2025 or never: Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi". The Week. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
225. ^ Singh, Mayank (13 January 2025). "Indian Army's Integrated Battle Groups await final approval: General Upendra Dwivedi". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
226. ^ Sharma, Shivani (26 July 2025). "Rudra brigades, Bhairav battalions to boost Army's capabilities in border areas". India Today. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
227. ^ a b "Fast, furious, and future-ready: Why Indian Army's Rudra Brigade could be a game-changer against China and Pakistan". The Economic Times. 28 July 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
228. ^ a b "'Rudra, Bhairav, Shaktibaan': Army Ready For All-Arms Brigades, Exclusive Drone Units, Special Ops Battalions". News18. Retrieved 14 August 2025.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Gutteridge, William. "The Indianisation of the Indian Army 1918-45." Race 4.2 (1963): 39–46. online
* International Institute for Strategic Studies (2010). Hackett, James (ed.). The Military Balance 2010. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-85743-557-3.
* International Institute for Strategic Studies (7 March 2012). Hackett, James (ed.). The Military Balance 2012. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-85743-642-6.
* International Institute for Strategic Studies (3 February 2014). The Military Balance 2014. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-85743-722-5.
* Mazumder, Rajit K. The Indian Army and the making of Punjab (Orient Blackswan, 2003) online.
* Omissi, David. The Sepoy and the Raj: the Indian army, 1860-1940 (Springer, 2016) online
* Praval, K.C. Indian Army After Independence (3rd ed. 2013) online
* Rose, Patrick. The Indian Army, 1939-47: experience and development (Routledge, 2016) online.
* Sundaram, Chandar S. Indianization, the Officer Corps, and the Indian Army: The Forgotten Debate, 1817–1917 (Lexington Books, 2019) online book review
* Wilkinson, Steven I. Army and Nation: The Military and Indian Democracy since Independence. (Harvard University Press, 2015).

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Indian Army.

* Official website
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Indian Armed Forces

* Indian Army
* Indian Navy
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Leadership|

* President
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Organisation|

| Ministry of Defence|

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Committees|

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Annexations|

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Insurgencies|

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Auxiliary forces|

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Indian Army

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* Minister of Defence
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Components
and
Commands|

* Territorial Army
* National Cadet Corps
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| Army Commands|

| Operational Commands|

* Central Command
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|

Functional Commands|

* Army Training Command

Joint Commands|

* Andaman and Nicobar Command
* Strategic Forces Command
* Defence Cyber Agency
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Active Corps|

* I Corps
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Arms & Services|

| Combat Arms|

| Regiments|

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* 1 GR
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|

Corps|

* Artillery
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Services|

* Education (Military Music Wing)
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Military Academies|

| Education & Training|

* Sainik School
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|

Colleges|

* Army Cadet College
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* High Altitude Warfare School
* Indian Military Academy
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Tri-Service Institutions|

* Defence Services Staff College
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Other topics|

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* Category

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Arms and services of Indian Army

Combat
arms|

| Infantry regiments|

* Mechanised Infantry
* Guards
* Parachute
* Punjab
* Madras
* Grenadiers
* Maratha LI
* Naga
* Rajputana Rifles
* Rajput
* Jat
* Sikh
* Sikh LI
* Dogra
* Garhwal Rifles
* Kumaon
* Assam
* Bihar
* Mahar
* J&K Rifles
* J&K LI
* 1 GR
* 3 GR
* 4 GR
* 5 GR
* 8 GR
* 9 GR
* 11 GR
* Ladakh Scouts
* Arunachal Scouts
* Sikkim Scouts

|

Other combat arms|

* Artillery
* Armoured
* Army Aviation
* Army Air Defence
* Engineers
* Madras
* Bengal
* Bombay
* Signals
* Intelligence

Support
services|

| Corps|

* Education
* Military Music Wing
* Medical
* Ordnance
* Postal Service
* Army Service Corps
* Electronics and Mechanical Engineers
* Military Police
* Remount and Veterinary
* Pioneer
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|

Administrative corps|

* Judge Advocate General's Department
* Military Engineer Services
* Military Farms Service
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* Territorial Army
* National Cadet Corps

* v
* t
* e

Indian Army Infantry Regiments

* Brigade of the Guards
* Parachute Regiment
* Mechanised Infantry Regiment
* Punjab Regiment
* Madras Regiment
* The Grenadiers
* Maratha Light Infantry
* Rajputana Rifles
* Rajput Regiment
* Jat Regiment
* Sikh Regiment
* Sikh Light Infantry
* Dogra Regiment
* Garhwal Rifles
* Kumaon Regiment
* Assam Regiment
* Bihar Regiment
* Mahar Regiment
* Jammu and Kashmir Rifles
* Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry
* Naga Regiment
* 1st Gorkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment)
* 3rd Gorkha Rifles
* 4th Gorkha Rifles
* 5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force)
* 8th Gorkha Rifles
* 9th Gorkha Rifles
* 11th Gorkha Rifles
* Ladakh Scouts
* Arunachal Scouts
* Sikkim Scouts

* v
* t
* e

Active corps of the Indian Army

By commands|

| Central Command|

* I Corps*

|

Eastern Command|

* III Corps
* IV Corps
* XVII Corps
* XXXIII Corps

Northern Command|

* I Corps
* XIV Corps
* XV Corps
* XVI Corps

Southern Command|

* XII Corps
* XXI Corps

South Western Command|

* X Corps

Western Command|

* II Corps
* IX Corps
* XI Corps

By number|

* I Corps
* II Corps
* III Corps
* IV Corps
* IX Corps
* X Corps
* XI Corps
* XII Corps
* XIV Corps
* XV Corps
* XVI Corps
* XVII Corps
* XXI Corps
* XXXIII Corps

(*Currently assigned to Northern Command)

* v
* t
* e

Indian military academies and colleges

Education & training|

* Sainik School
* Armed Forces Medical College
* Ajmer Military School
* Bangalore Military School
* Belgaum Military School
* Chail Military School
* Dholpur Military School
* Rashtriya Indian Military College

| Sainik
Schools|

* Amaravathinagar
* Ambikapur
* Balachadi
* Bhubaneswar
* Bijapur
* Chittorgarh
* Goalpara
* Gopalganj
* Imphal
* Jhunjhunu
* Kapurthala
* Kazhakootam
* Kodagu
* Korukonda
* Kunjpura
* Lucknow
* Manasbal
* Nagrota
* Nalanda
* Punglwa
* Purulia
* Rewa
* Rewari
* Satara
* Sujanpur Tihra
* Tilaiya

|

Tri Service|

* Defence Services Staff College
* National Academy of Defence Production
* National Defence Academy
* National Defence College
* College of Defence Management
* Military Institute of Technology

Indian Army|

* Army Cadet College
* Army War College
* College of Military Engineering
* Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School
* High Altitude Warfare School
* Indian Military Academy
* Military College of Telecommunication Engineering
* Officers Training Academy
* Military College of Materials Management

Indian Air Force|

* Air Force Academy
* Air Force Administrative College
* Air Force School, Coimbatore
* Air Force School, Jodhpur
* Flying Instructors School
* Indian Air Force Test Pilot School
* Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment
* Air Defence College
* College of Air Warfare

Indian Navy|

* Indian Naval Academy
* Naval War College

Commandants|

* Commandant NDA
* Commandant IMA
* Commandant INA
* Commandant AFA
* Commandant DSSC
* Commandant CDM
* Commandant NWC
* Commandant CAW
* Commandant NDC
* Commandant MILIT

Examinations|

* Combined Defence Services Examination
* Services Selection Board

* Military academy
* Military education and training

* v
* t
* e

Current Indian Armed Forces infantry weapons and cartridges

Handguns|

* Pistol AUTO 9 mm 1A
* Glock 17
* SIG P226

Rifles|

| Assault rifles|

* INSAS
* 1A SLR
* AKM
* AK-103
* MPi-KM-72
* Arsenal Co. AR
* Vz. 58
* IMI Tavor TAR-21

|

Carbine|

* M4A1 carbine
* Zittara
* AKS-74U

Designated Marksman|

* Dragunov SVD59

Sniper|

* Mauser SP66
* IMI Galil 7.62 Sniper
* Heckler & Koch MSG-90
* Vidhwansak
* Denel NTW-20
* Gepárd GM6 Lynx
* OSV-96

Submachine guns|

* SAF Carbine 1A
* Heckler & Koch MP5
* Heckler & Koch MP5K
* Uzi

Machine guns|

* MG 1B
* INSAS LMG
* IWI Negev
* PKM
* MG 2A1
* M2 Browning
* NSV
* KPV

Grenade launchers|

* GP-25
* MKEK T-40
* Multi Grenade Launcher 40mm
* AGS-17 Plamya

Mortars|

* E1 51mm Mortar
* E1 81mm Mortar
* E1 120mm Mortar

Rockets|

* RPG-7
* RCL Mk II
* RCL Mk III
* Shipon

Missiles|

* MILAN
* 9M133 Kornet (AT-14 Spriggan)
* 9M113 Konkurs (AT-5 Spandrel)
* 9M111 Fagot (AT-4 Spigot)
* SA-16 Gimlet
* SA-7 Grail

Cartridges|

* 9×19mm NATO
* 5.56×45mm NATO
* 7.62×39mm
* 7.62×51mm NATO
* 7.62×54mmR
* .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO)
* 12.7×108mm
* 14.5×114mm
* 40×46mm

* v
* t
* e

Awards and decorations of the Indian Armed Forces

Gallantry medals|

| Wartime|

* Param Vir Chakra
* Maha Vir Chakra
* Vir Chakra

|

Peacetime|

* Ashoka Chakra
* Kirti Chakra
* Shaurya Chakra

Distinguished
service medals|

| Branch|

* Sena Medal
* Army
* Nau Sena Medal
* Navy
* Vayu Sena Medal
* Air Force

|

Wartime|

* Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal
* Uttam Yudh Seva Medal
* Yudh Seva Medal

Peacetime|

* Param Vishisht Seva Medal
* Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
* Vishisht Seva Medal

Service and
campaign medals|

* Wound Medal
* General Service Medal
* Samanya Seva Medal
* Special Service Medal
* Samar Seva Star
* Poorvi Star
* Paschimi Star
* Operation Vijay Star
* Siachen Glacier Medal
* Raksha Medal
* Sangram Medal
* Operation Vijay Medal
* Operation Parakram Medal
* Sainya Seva Medal
* High Altitude Medal
* Videsh Seva Medal

Independence medals|

* Indian Independence Medal
* 75th Independence Anniversary Medal
* 50th Independence Anniversary Medal
* 25th Independence Anniversary Medal

Other awards|

* Mention in Dispatches
* Commendation Card
* President's Colour Award
* MacGregor Medal
* Post-nominal letters

* v
* t
* e

India topics

History

| Overviews|

* Timeline
* Years

* Astronomy
* Clothing
* Coinage
* Economics
* LGBTQ
* Linguistics
* Maritime
* Mathematics
* Metallurgy
* Military
* Paper currency
* Postal
* Science and technology

|

Ancient |

* Stone Age
* Indus Valley Civilisation
* Vedic period
* Mahajanapadas
* Mauryas
* Indo-Greek Kingdom
* Achaemenid conquest of the Indus Valley
* Indo-Parthian kingdom
* Kushan Empire
* Alchon Huns
* Seleucid–Mauryan war

Middle Kingdoms|

* Middle kingdoms
* Chola

Middle Ages|

* Medieval India
* Hoysala
* Pala
* Kakatiya
* Delhi Sultanate
* Vijayanagara

Early Modern|

* Mughals
* Marathas
* European trade
* Bengal War

Late modern|

* Colonial
* Princely state
* East India Company
* Plassey
* 1857 rebellion
* British Raj
* Railways
* Economy
* Army
* Commander-in-Chief
* Zamindari
* Bengal Renaissance
* Political reforms
* Partition of Bengal
* Independence movement
* 1943 famine
* World War II
* Partition

Republic|

* Integration
* Non-Aligned Movement
* Five-Year Plans
* Sino-Indian War
* Indo-Pakistani wars
* Green Revolution
* White Revolution
* Naxal Insurgency
* Smiling Buddha
* Space programme
* The Emergency
* Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF)

Contemporary|

* History of India (1947–present)
* Economic liberalisation
* Pokhran-II
* COVID-19 pandemic

Geography

| Geology|

* Fossil Parks
* Geology of India
* Indian Plate

|

Heritage|

* National Geological Monuments of India
* Sacred groves of India
* Sacred mountains of India
* Sacred rivers of India
* Stones of India

Environment|

* Biogeographic classification
* Biosphere reserves
* Climate
* Climate change
* Earthquakes
* Ecoregions
* Environmental issues
* Fauna
* Forests
* Flora
* Geology
* National parks
* Protected areas
* Wildlife
* sanctuaries

Landforms|

* Beaches
* Canals
* Coasts
* Desert
* ECZ
* Extreme points
* Glaciers
* Highest point by states
* Islands
* Lakes
* Mountains
* Mountain passes
* Plains
* Indo-Gangetic
* Eastern coastal
* Western coastal
* Rivers
* Valleys
* Volcanoes
* Waterfalls

Regions|

* Central
* East
* North
* Northwest
* Northeast
* South
* Southwest
* Southeast
* West

Subdivisions|

* Autonomous administrative divisions
* Borders
* Towns
* Cities
* Districts
* Municipalities
* States and union territories

See also|

* National monuments of India
* National parks of India
* Nature worship in Indian-origin religions
* World Heritage Sites in India
* Culture of India
* History of India
* Tourism in India

Politics

| Government|

* Agencies
* Energy policy
* Foreign relations
* Parliament
* Lok Sabha
* Rajya Sabha
* President
* Vice President
* Prime Minister
* Union Council of Ministers
* Civil Services
* Cabinet Secretary
* State governments
* State legislative assemblies
* State legislative councils
* Governors, Lieutenant Governors and Administrators
* Chief Ministers
* Chief Secretaries

|

Law|

* Constitution
* Penal Code
* Fundamental rights, principles and duties
* Human rights
* Supreme Court
* Chief Justice
* High Courts
* District Courts

Enforcement|

| Federal|

* Border Security Force (BSF)
* Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
* Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
* Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
* National Security Guard (NSG)
* Railway Protection Force (RPF)
* Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)
* Special Protection Group (SPG)

|

Intelligence|

* Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D)
* Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
* Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)
* Enforcement Directorate (ED)
* Intelligence Bureau (IB)
* Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC)
* Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
* National Investigation Agency (NIA)
* Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW)

Military|

* Army
* Navy
* Air Force

Politics|

* Censorship
* Citizenship
* Elections
* Democracy
* Nationalism
* Political parties
* Reservations
* Scandals
* Scheduled groups
* Secularism
* Women in politics

Economy

| Companies|

* BSE SENSEX
* NIFTY 50
* NIFTY Next 50
* NIFTY 500
* GIFT Nifty

|

Governance|

* Ministry of Finance
* Finance ministers
* Ministry of Commerce and Industry
* Finance Commission
* Economic Advisory Council
* Central Statistical Office
* Securities and Exchange Board of India
* Enforcement Directorate
* External debt
* Foreign trade
* Foreign direct investment
* Foreign exchange reserves
* Remittances
* Taxation
* Subsidies
* Industrial licensing
* Voluntary guidelines
* NITI Aayog
* Make in India
* Atmanirbhar Bharat

Currency|

* Indian rupee
* Sign
* History
* Historical Forex
* Digital rupee
* Coinage
* Paisa
* Reserve Bank of India
* Governor
* Mint
* Inflation

Financial services|

* Banking
* Insurance
* Multi Commodity Exchange
* Bullion
* BSE
* NSE
* India INX

History|

* COVID-19 impact
* Economic development
* Liberalisation
* Licence Raj
* Green revolution
* Government initiatives
* Numbering system

People|

* By net worth
* Demography
* Income
* Poverty
* Labour law
* Pensions
* EPFO
* NPS
* PPF

States|

* Andhra Pradesh
* Assam
* Bihar
* Delhi
* Goa
* Gujarat
* Haryana
* Himachal Pradesh
* Jammu and Kashmir
* Jharkhand
* Karnataka
* Kerala
* Ladakh
* Madhya Pradesh
* Maharashtra
* Mizoram
* Odisha
* Punjab
* Rajasthan
* Tamil Nadu
* Telangana
* Uttarakhand
* Uttar Pradesh
* West Bengal

Sectors|

* Agriculture
* Livestock
* Fishing
* Automotive
* Chemical
* Construction
* Defence
* Education
* Energy
* Electricity
* Nuclear
* Oil and gas
* Solar
* Wind
* Electronics and semiconductor
* Entertainment
* Forestry
* Gambling
* Healthcare
* Hospitals
* Information technology
* Media
* Cinema
* FM Radio
* Television
* Printing
* Mining
* Coal
* Iron and Steel
* Pharmaceuticals
* Pulp and paper
* Retail
* Science and technology
* Biotechnology
* Space
* Telecommunications
* Textiles
* Tourism
* Transport
* Aviation
* Civil
* Ports
* Rail
* Roads
* Electricity
* Water
* Power

Regulator|

* IRDAI
* RBI
* SEBI
* IBBI
* PFRDA

Other|

* NCLT
* NCLAT
* BIFR
* IBBI
* IBC
* SARFESI Act
* Income Tax Act
* Companies Act
* Banking Act
* Insurance Act
* FEMA
* Mumbai Consensus

* Society and culture

| Society|

* Caste system
* Corruption
* Crime
* Demographics
* Indians
* Education
* Universities in India
* Medical colleges in India
* Law colleges in India
* Engineering colleges in India
* Ethnic relations
* Health
* Languages
* Life expectancy
* Literacy
* Poverty
* Prisons
* Religion
* Socio-economic issues
* Standard of living
* Water supply and sanitation
* Women
* Sexuality
* Youth

|

Culture|

* Arts and entertainment
* Architecture
* Blogging
* Cinema
* Comics
* Webcomics
* Cuisine
* wine
* Dance
* Dress
* Folklore
* Festivals
* Literature
* Media
* television
* Martial arts
* Music
* Painting
* Physical culture
* Public holidays
* Sculpture
* tallest
* Sport
* Traditional

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI

National|

* United States
* Israel

Other|

* Yale LUX

*[transl.]: translation
*[lit.]: literal translation
*[c.]: circa
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