Indian Army Day 2026 – January 15

Indian Army (IA) Day also known as Bhartiya Sena Diwas is celebrated annually across India on 15th January to honour the courage, discipline and sacrifice of Indian Army (IA) personnel.

• 15 January 2026 marks the 78th IA Day.
• The IA has declared 2026 as the “Year of Networking & Data Centricity”, with the objective of improving connectivity, facilitating real-time decision-making, and enhancing overall combat effectiveness.

Background: 

Historical Significance: The day marks the appointment of General (later Field Marshal) K.M. Cariappa as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Indian Army in 1949, succeeding General Sir Francis Robert Roy Bucher, the last British C-in-C of independent India.

Formation: Although the IA was established in 1895, its first Indian Chief was appointed only in 1949.

2026 Events:

Event: On 15th January 2026, the IA celebrated its 78th Army Day with a grand parade held at Mahal Road in Jaipur, Rajasthan, making it the fourth time, the event was held outside New Delhi (Delhi)  and the first time outside a military cantonment.

• The event was attended by General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS); General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS); Air Vice Marshal (AVM) M. Bandhopadhyay of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Commodore P. Verma of the Indian Navy (IN), Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Bhajan Lal Sharma, Chief Minister (CM) of Rajasthan

Host : The Army Day Parade was hosted for the first time by the South Western Command, also known as the Sapta Shakti Command.

Reviewing Officer: General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS).

Highlights of the Parade:

Tribute: A wreath-laying ceremony was conducted at Prerna Sthal, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP), to honour fallen soldiers.

Gallantry: Sena Medals (Posthumous) were awarded to the Next of Kin of five soldiers for acts of bravery.

• The honorees were Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, Havildar Sunil Kumar, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, Lance Naik Subhash Kumar, and Lance Naik Pradeep Kumar.

March Past: The parade featured over 30 contingents, including seven major marching units such as the MADRAS Regiment, RAJPUT Regiment, Regiment of Artillery, Mixed Scouts, and National Cadet Corps (NCC) Girls Contingent.

International: The Nepal Army Band participated, underscoring strong India–Nepal defence cooperation.

Bhairav Battalion: The newly raised Bhairav Battalion made its first public appearance as an agile combat force designed for rapid response, drone-enabled warfare, and multi-domain operations.

Weaponry: Indigenous and advanced platforms on display included T-90 Bhishma and Arjun tanks, K-9 Vajra, Dhanush, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), BrahMos, Pinaka, Akash, and upgraded Schilka and Shaktibaan systems.

Unmanned: Modern unmanned systems such as Switch Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Prabal Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS), robotic mules, and multiple drones and UGVs were showcased.

Aviation: Aerial displays featured Apache attack helicopters, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, and Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH).

Culture: Cultural performances included Kalbelia and Gair folk dances of Rajasthan, Chenda display (drum from Kerala) by the MADRAS Regiment, and martial arts like Kalaripayattu (Kerala) and Mallakhamb (originated in Maharashtra and official State Sport of Madhya Pradesh, MP).

Key Events:

Exhibition: Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma inaugurated the four-day ‘Know Your Army exhibition’ at the Bhawani Niketan Education Committee campus in Jaipur.
Shaurya Sandhya: Union Minister Rajnath Singh, MoD, attended event featuring a dramatic enactment of Operation Sindoor and a spectacular 1,000-drone show.

• He also inaugurated Naman Centres to enhance welfare and service delivery for veterans and their families.

About Indian Army (IA):
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) – General Upendra Dwivedi
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1895
Motto– Seva Paramo Dharma (Service Before Self)