Indian Army drops colonial-era symbols, adopts Bandi jacket in uniform reforms

New Delhi, June 30. The Indian Army has introduced sweeping changes to its dress regulations aimed at shedding colonial-era practices and aligning military traditions with India’s sovereign identity and contemporary ethos.

The reforms, detailed in the newly issued Army Uniforms-2026 Pamphlet, remove several long-standing colonial vestiges, including the mandatory carrying of swords by Reviewing Officers, the use of pouch belts with certain mess dresses and archaic terminology such as “Royal” that had persisted in military traditions inherited from the British era.

As part of the changes, the Army has introduced the indigenous closed-neck Bandi jacket as an approved element of formal civil attire for officers. The jacket, to be worn with a full-sleeved shirt, matching trousers and closed footwear, is intended to bring an Indian element into official military formal wear.

The rationale for the reforms is set out in a chapter titled ‘Indigenisation and Alignment with National Ethos’, which states that the changes are intended to reflect “the nation’s sentiments and evolving sovereign identity”.

The manual describes the measures as a deliberate effort to review and eliminate residual colonial practices while preserving the dignity and traditions of the service.

Another major reform concerns the ceremonial use of swords. Under the new regulations, swords will be carried only by parade commanders, contingent commanders and designated personnel during major ceremonial occasions such as Republic Day, Independence Day, Army Day parades and Guards of Honour. Reviewing Officers will no longer carry swords during parades.

The Army has characterised the changes as an attempt to balance modernisation with continuity of tradition, describing them as a “progressive review of residual colonial-era vestiges” while retaining the service’s enduring customs and operational functionality.

The move towards indigenisation extends beyond symbolism. The Army has also introduced a new winter working dress featuring a Battle Jacket, which will gradually replace the existing jersey-based winter uniform for all ranks by June 2029 following a three-year transition period.

The 2026 regulations also prescribe detailed standards on appearance and conduct in uniform. Radical hairstyles, unauthorised beards, visible electronic gadgets, tattoos, body piercings and cosmetic make-up while in uniform have been prohibited. The rules also bar personnel from wearing uniform at political, religious or protest gatherings, private social functions and paid media appearances without authorisation.

The uniform reforms follow a broader Army initiative to move away from colonial-era legacies. Earlier this year, the Army renamed 246 roads, buildings and facilities across military establishments to honour Indian military heroes, gallantry award recipients and distinguished commanders.

According to Army officials, the exercise covered 124 roads, 77 colonies, 27 buildings and 18 other facilities, including parks, sports grounds, training areas, gates and helipads.

Among the prominent changes, Kirby Place in Delhi Cantonment was renamed Kenuguruse Vihar, while Mall Road became Arun Khetrapal Marg. Patterson Road Quarters in Ambala Cantonment was renamed after Dhan Singh Thapa, while New Horn Line in Mathura Cantonment now bears the name of Abdul Hamid.

Similar changes have been carried out across military stations, including the renaming of roads and colonies in Jaipur, Bareilly and Mhow to honour Indian soldiers and military leaders.

At the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, Colins Block and Kingsway Block have been renamed Nubra Block and Kargil Block respectively, while Fort William has been renamed Vijay Durg.

The Army had previously discontinued several colonial-era ceremonial practices in 2023, including horse-drawn buggies at official functions, ceremonial pull-out events during retirements and the use of pipe bands at dinners.

Officials say the latest reforms are intended to ensure that the institutions, symbols and traditions of the Army increasingly reflect India’s own history, values and military heritage while preserving the service’s professional identity and ethos.