Indian Army

Indian Army
Name	Indian Army
Established	1 April 1895 (as unified presidency armies predecessor); 1947 (post-Independence)
Country	India
Allegiance	President of India
Branch	Armed Forces of India
Type	Land warfare
Role	Defence of India
Size	1.4 million (approx.)
Garrison	New Delhi
Motto	"Service Before Self"
Colours	"Gorget red and black"
Anniversaries	15 January (Army Day)

Indian Army The Indian Army is the principal land-force component of Armed Forces of India responsible for terrestrial operations, national defence, and support to civil authorities. It traces institutional lineage through colonial-era formations, British Indian Army reorganisation, and post-1947 establishment, operating across diverse environments from high-altitude sectors such as Siachen Glacier to plains and coastal regions like Konkan Coast. The service interfaces with regional partners such as United States Armed Forces, Russian Ground Forces, and People's Liberation Army (China) in training and exercises.

History

Origins derive from presidency armies of the East India Company and later the British Indian Army, with engagements in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Second Anglo-Afghan War, and World War I including the Mesopotamian campaign. During World War II formations fought in the Burma Campaign and North African Campaign. Partition in 1947 led to division and reorganisation, after which the force participated in major conflicts: the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948, Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 (leading to creation of Bangladesh), the Sino-Indian War of 1962, and the Kargil War of 1999. The Army also conducted internal security and counter-insurgency operations in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast India, including operations like Operation Blue Star and Operation Vijay (Kargil War). Post-Cold War engagements include peacekeeping under United Nations mandates in missions such as UNIFIL and UNPROFOR and humanitarian assistance after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

Organisation and Command

The Army is structured into commands, corps, divisions, brigades, and battalions, commanded by a Chief of Army Staff who reports to the Ministry of Defence (India). Major regional formations include the Northern Command (Indian Army), Eastern Command (Indian Army), Western Command (Indian Army), Southern Command (Indian Army), Central Command (Indian Army), and South Western Command (India), as well as integrated theatre commands under ongoing reform proposals. Strike formations employ armoured and mechanised corps such as the IAF Corps-aligned heavy armour units. Support institutions include the Army Medical Corps (India), Corps of Engineers (Indian Army), Regiment of Artillery (India), Corps of Signals (India), and Army Service Corps (India). Training and doctrine development occur at establishments like the Army War College (India), National Defence Academy (India), and Defence Services Staff College.

Personnel and Training

Recruitment flows through academies and selection boards including the National Defence Academy, Indian Military Academy, Officer Training Academy (India), and the Recruiting Directorate (India). Enlisted soldiers serve in regimental systems such as the Punjab Regiment (Indian Army), Rajput Regiment, Sikh Regiment, and specialised units including Parachute Regiment (India) and Gorkha Regiment. Training emphasises alpine warfare at institutions like the High Altitude Warfare School, counter-insurgency at the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, and desert operations at centres in Rajasthan. Welfare and veterans' affairs interact with entities such as the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme and the Armed Forces Tribunal for disputes. Notable figures who shaped doctrine include leaders associated with battles like Battle of Rezang La and reforms following the Kargil Review Committee.

Equipment and Ordnance

The Army fields combined arms systems including main battle tanks like the Arjun (tank) and imports such as the T-90, armoured vehicles including the BMP-2, artillery systems like Dhanush (gun) and Bofors 155 mm howitzer legacy systems, and rocket artillery exemplified by the Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System. Air-defence capabilities include systems such as the Akash (missile), while aviation assets operate under the Army Aviation Corps (India) with helicopters like the HAL Dhruv and attack platforms. Small arms inventory includes rifles such as the INSAS rifle heritage and modern assault rifles procured via contracts. Ordnance production involves Defence Research and Development Organisation projects, industrial partners such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Bharat Electronics, and ordnance factories like the Ordnance Factory Board. Modernisation programmes address network-centric warfare, communications upgrades via Network for Spectrum (NFS), and procurement of artillery, armoured, and unmanned systems.

Operations and Deployments

Operations span conventional conflicts, counter-insurgency, disaster relief, and international peacekeeping. The Army executed high-altitude deployments during standoffs with People's Liberation Army (China) in sectors like Doklam, counter-insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur, and disaster response after cyclones in Andhra Pradesh and earthquakes in Nepal. Overseas deployments include multinational exercises with United States Indo-Pacific Command, Russian Ground Forces exchanges, and UN peacekeeping in locations such as Sierra Leone and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Special operations forces, exemplified by units trained for direct action and hostage rescue, have conducted counter-terrorism missions and cross-border strikes as authorised by the Government of India.

Insignia, Ranks and Traditions

Insignia feature the crossed swords and national emblem motifs; regimental colours and battle honours reflect historical engagements like Battle of Hilli and Battle of Longewala. Rank structure follows commissioned, junior commissioned, and non-commissioned tiers with ranks such as Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Colonel, Brigadier, Major General, Lieutenant General, and General. Ceremonial traditions include the Beating Retreat ceremony in New Delhi, regimental ties to recruitment regions such as Sikh community and Gorkha community, and honours like the Param Vir Chakra and Ashoka Chakra awarded for gallantry. Military bands, mess customs, and marches such as those associated with regiments preserve legacy from periods including the British Raj while evolving under modern Indian statutes.

Category:Military of India