Indian Army Drops Colonial Era Uniform Traditions And What The New Rules Say | Explained

The Indian Army has released its new 174-page dress regulation manual — Army Uniforms-2026 — the first comprehensive uniform update in eight years. The changes go well beyond aesthetics. They are a deliberate effort to shed colonial-era practices and align military traditions with India's sovereign identity. #IndianArmy2026 #ArmyUniform2026 #BandiJacket #IndianArmyUniform #IndianMilitary #Indigenisation #MakeInIndia #ColonialEraEnds #IndianArmyNews #ArmyDressCode #DefenceNews #IndiaDefence #IndiaNews2026 #NewIndianArmy #ModiIndia Key changes include the introduction of the bandi jacket as authorised formal wear for officers — a closed-neck Indian ethnic jacket replacing Western blazer-style formal attire. A new winter dress called Dress 3B has been introduced for all ranks, consisting of an Angola shirt, battle jacket, and beret. The existing jersey-based winter uniform will be phased out by June 2029. The ceremonial pouch belt has been removed from Mess Dress 5 and 6 — worn at Rashtrapati Bhavan functions, Prime Minister dinners, and formal state receptions. Reviewing officers will no longer be required to carry a ceremonial sword on parade. The word "Royal" has been formally dropped from Army terminology. For women officers, sarees and kurta-salwar are now authorised formal wear. Palazzo pants, cigarette pants, and sleeveless kurtas are banned. Sindoor may be worn but must not be visible under a beret. India Today Global is the international arm of India's most trusted media organization — delivering factual, up-to-date news, analysis, and insights from India and around the world. From politics and business to culture and global affairs, we cover it all. Built for the digital-first English news audience and the Indian diaspora worldwide, we are the channel that connects India to the world and the world to India. 🎙️ Statecraft - Executive Editor Geeta Mohan cuts the noise, decodes the truth, and dissects the forces shaping global power, from geopolitical shifts to military strategies and economic levers. 🌐 Namaste World - Your daily wrap of the biggest stories from around the globe. Concise, sharp, essential. 🔍 Point of View - We hold people accountable. The questions others won't ask, asked here. 🗺️ Zoom In - Wars, conflicts, and tensions simplified with maps and context that actually make sense. 🤝 Diplomatic Diaries - Ambassadors have a public face. We show you the other one. No stone unturned. No question unasked. 🔔 Subscribe - because the world doesn't wait, and neither should you. Follow us on Twitter: https://x.com/ITGGlobal Follow us on Instagram:   / indiatodayglobal   Follow us on Facebook:   / indiatodayglobal   Follow us on Website: https://www.indiatoday.in/global Watch our marquee shows: EXCLUSIVE: President Putin Says "We Will Take Donbas by Force" in His Most Shocking Interview    • EXCLUSIVE: President Putin Says "We Will T...   Trump Demanded Seven Countries Send Warships to Hormuz. Every Single One Refused | Statecraft Ep 307    • Trump Went to War With Iran, Begged for a ...   Afghanistan Claims Pakistan Bombed Kabul Hospital Killing 400, 250 injured | Namaste World EP 81    • Afghanistan Claims Pakistan Bombed Kabul H...   From B-52 to B-21 Raider: The Evolution of America’s War Machine | Zoom In With Sandeep Unnithan    • From B-52 to B-21 Raider: The Evolution of...   US Iran War: Military Bases in the Gulf, For Israel or the Arab World? | West Asia War | POV Ep 5    • US Iran War: Military Bases in the Gulf, F...   Inside Australian Envoy’s Delhi Residence | Diplomatic Diaries Exclusive    • Inside Australian Envoy’s Delhi Residence ...