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{{Short description|Land service branch of the Indian Armed Forces}}
{{About|the Indian Army (since 1947)|the pre 1947 force|British Indian Army|others|Military history of India}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Indian Army
| native_name = ''Bhāratīya Sēnā''
| image = Indian Army Insignia circular.png
| image_size = 150px
| caption = Emblem of the Indian Army
| dates = 
| country = {{IND}}
| type = [[Army]]
| role = [[Ground warfare|Land warfare]]
| size = {{plainlist|
*1,248,000 active personnel<ref name="India Today">{{Cite web |date=2025-04-14 |title=Army facing shortage of over 1 lakh personnel amid border tensions: Government |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-army-soldiers-shortage-border-tension-defence-ministry-2709056-2025-04-14 |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
*900,000 reserve personnel<ref>{{cite book |title=The Military Balance 2017 |date=2017 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-85743-900-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vk8-vgAACAAJ |language=en}}</ref><br/>~[[List of active Indian military aircraft#Army Aviation Corps|310 manned aircraft]]
}}
| start_date = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1950|01|26}} (''in current form'')
----
{{Start date and age|df=yes|1895|04|01}} (''as [[British Indian Army]]'')
----
| equipment = 
| equipment_label = Aircraft
| battles = {{collapsible list
 | titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
 | title = ''See list:''
 | expand = no
|'''[[Wars involving India|Large scale international conflicts]]'''
*{{small|[[Mahdist War|Mahdist War (1881–1899)]]}}
*{{small|[[World War I|World War I (1914–1918)]]}}
*{{small|[[World War II|World War II (1939–1945)]]}}
*{{small|[[Korean War]]}}
|'''[[Wars involving India|Wars with]] [[Afghanistan]]'''
*{{small|[[Third Anglo-Afghan War|Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919)]]}}
*{{small|[[Tirah campaign|Tirah campaign (1897–1898)]]}}
*{{small|[[Waziristan campaign (1919–1920)]]}}
|'''[[Wars involving India|Wars with]] [[China]]'''
*{{small|[[Boxer Rebellion|Boxer Rebellion (1899–1901)]]}}
*{{small|[[Sino-Indian War|Sino-Indian War (1962)]]}}
*{{small|[[Nathu La and Cho La clashes|Second Sino-Indian War (1967)]]}}
*{{small|[[2020–2021 China–India skirmishes]]}}
|'''[[Sri Lankan Civil War]]'''
*{{small|[[Indian intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War|Indian intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War (1987–1990)]]}}
*{{small|[[1988 Maldives coup attempt|Indian intervention in Maldives coup d'etat (1988)]]}}
|'''[[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|Wars with Pakistan]]'''
*{{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948]]}}
*{{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]}}
*{{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]}}
*{{small|[[Siachen conflict|Siachen conflict (1984–2003)]]}}
*{{small|[[Kargil War|Kargil War (1999)]]}}
*{{small|[[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts#Past skirmishes and standoffs|India-Pakistan standoffs and border skirmishes]]}}
**{{small|[[2008 India–Pakistan standoff]]}}
**{{small|[[2013 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]}}
**{{small|[[2014–2015 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]}}
**{{small|[[2016–2018 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]}}
***{{small|[[2016 Indian Line of Control strike]]}}
**{{small|[[2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]}}
**{{small|[[2020–21 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]}}
**{{small|[[2025 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]}}
|'''[[Wars involving India|Minor conflicts and annexations]]'''
*{{small|[[British expedition to Tibet|Expedition to Tibet (1903–1904)]]}}
*{{small|[[Annexation of Hyderabad|Annexation of Hyderabad (1948)]]}}
*{{small|[[Annexation of Goa|Annexation of Goa (1961)]]}}
*{{small|[[Annexation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli|Annexation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli (1954)]]}}
*{{small|[[1975 Sikkimese monarchy referendum#Background|Invasion of Sikkim (1975)]]}}
|'''[[List of wars involving India|Domestic conflicts]]'''
*{{small|[[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir|Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir (1989–)]]}}
*{{small|[[Insurgency in Northeast India|Insurgency in Northeast India (1954–)]]}}
*{{small|[[Naxalite–Maoist insurgency|Naxalite-Maoist insurgency (1967–)]]}}
}}
| command_structure = {{armed forces|India}}
| garrison = [[Secretariat Building, New Delhi|Integrated Defence Headquarters]], [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]], [[New Delhi]]
| garrison_label = Headquarters
| march = {{plainlist|
*Quick: ''[[Qadam Qadam Badhaye Ja]]'' <br />(Keep stepping forward)
*Slow: ''[[Samman Guard]]'' <br />(The Guard of Honour)
}}
| motto = {{transliteration|sa|ISO|Sevā Paramo Dharmaḥ}} <small>([[ISO 15919|ISO]])</small> <br /> {{Translation|'Service Before Self'}} {{literal translation|Service is the eternal [[dharma]].}}
| colors = Gold, red and black<br />{{color box|#FFD700}} {{color box|#D90000}} {{color box|#000000}}
| colors_label = Colours
| anniversaries = [[Army Day (India)|Army Day]]: 15 January
| website = [http://indianarmy.nic.in/ indianarmy.nic.in]<!-- Commanders -->
| commander1 = {{flagicon|India}} [[President of India|President]] [[Droupadi Murmu]]
| commander1_label = [[Commander-in-chief#India|Commander-in-Chief]]
| commander2 = {{Flagicon image|Flag COAS.svg}} [[General (India)|General]] [[Upendra Dwivedi]]
| commander2_label = [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff (COAS)]]
| commander3 = {{Flagicon image|Flag of Indian Vice Chief of Army Staff.svg}} [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Pushpendra Pal Singh (general)|Pushpendra Pal Singh]]
| commander3_label = [[Vice Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS)]]
| notable_commanders = {{plainlist|
*{{Flagicon image|Flag of Field Marshal.jpg}} [[Field marshal (India)|Field Marshal]] [[Kodandera Madappa Cariappa|K. M. Cariappa]]
*{{Flagicon image|Flag of Field Marshal.jpg}} [[Field marshal (India)|Field Marshal]] [[Sam Manekshaw]]
*{{Flagicon image|Flag COAS.svg}} [[General (India)|General]] [[Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri|J. N. Chaudhuri]]
*{{Flagicon image|Flag COAS.svg}} [[General (India)|General]] [[Kodandera Subayya Thimayya|K. S. Thimayya]]
}}
<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol = [[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|border|200px]]
| identification_symbol_label = Flag
| identification_symbol_2 = 
| identification_symbol_2_label = <!-- Aircraft -->
| aircraft_helicopter_attack = [[HAL Rudra]], [[HAL Prachand]], [[Boeing AH-64 Apache]]
| aircraft_electronic = 
| aircraft_utility = 
| aircraft_helicopter_utility = [[HAL Dhruv]], [[HAL Chetak]], [[HAL Cheetah]]
}}
The '''Indian Army''' ('''IA''') ([[ISO 15919|ISO]]: {{IAST|Bhāratīya Sēnā}}) is the [[Land warfare|land-based branch]] and largest component of the [[Indian Armed Forces]]. The [[President of India]] is the [[Commander-in-Chief|Supreme Commander]] of the Indian Army,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://presidentofindia.nic.in/about.htm|title=About – The President of India|access-date=4 April 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405170925/http://www.presidentofindia.nic.in/about.htm|archive-date=5 April 2016}}</ref> and its professional head is the [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]] (COAS). The [[British Indian Army|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.<ref>{{cite book|first=R. P.|last=Bhargava|page=206|title=The Chamber of Prince|quote=''Liability with regard to Defence''<br/>This point was examined at length and it was put forward that with due regard to the obligations undertaken by the Crown to protect the States against internal commotion and external aggression, the States could not be asked to contribute the cost of the armed forces of the Crown of India. In the case of several States the price of protection was settled by the Crown and paid by the States.}}</ref><ref name="Sikhs Across Borders">{{cite book|title=Sikhs Across Borders|page=37|quote=In 1914, the Indian Army consisted of 39 cavalry regiments, 118 battalions of Indian infantry, and 20 battalions of Gurkha Rifles. The army contained 159,134 Indian soldiers, and 2,333 British officers (plus reserves). Together with the 70,000 troops of the British garrison of India these forces made up the "Army in India." This army had three principal functions: first, the maintenance of internal security; second, the defence of the Indian Empire's frontiers; and third (if necessary) the provision of a force for imperial purposes outside India.}}</ref> The Imperial Service Troops were merged into the Indian Army after [[Independence of India|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 of the Indian Army|battle and theatre honours]] before and after Independence.<ref name="Sarbans">{{cite book |title=Battle Honours of the Indian Army 1757–1971 |last=Singh |first=Sarbans |year=1993 |publisher=Vision Books |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-8170941156}}</ref>

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 [[:Category:Borders of India|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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/indianarmydoctrine_1.doc |title=Indian Army Doctrine |date=October 2004 |publisher=Headquarters Army Training Command |access-date=1 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201062843/http://indianarmy.nic.in/indianarmydoctrine_1.doc |archive-date=1 December 2007 }}</ref> The independent Indian army has been involved in [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|four wars]] with neighbouring [[Pakistan]] and [[Sino-Indian War|one]] with [[China]]. It has emerged victorious in all wars against [[Pakistan]]. Other major operations undertaken by the army include [[Operation Vijay (1961)|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 [[Indian Army United Nations peacekeeping missions|United Nations peacekeeping missions]]. The Indian Army was a major force in the [[First World War|First]] and [[Second World War]]s, particularly in the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] and the [[Middle Eastern theatre of World War I|Middle Eastern theatre]] during [[World War I]], and the [[South-East Asian Theatre]] and the [[East African campaign (World War II)|East African]] and [[North African campaign]]s during [[World War II]].

The Indian Army is operationally and geographically divided into [[#Command structure|seven commands]], with the basic field formation being a [[Division (military)|division]]. The army is an [[Volunteer military|all-volunteer force]] and comprises more than 80% of the country's active defence personnel. It is the [[List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel|largest standing army in the world]],<ref>{{cite web|date=17 March 2020|title=Indian Army now world's largest ground force as China halves strength on modernisation push|url=https://theprint.in/defence/indian-army-now-worlds-largest-ground-force-as-china-halves-strength-on-modernisation-push/382287/|access-date=16 January 2022|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}}</ref> with 1,248,000<ref name="India Today" /> active troops and 960,000 reserve troops.<ref name="IISS 2014">{{cite book| title=The Military Balance 2014|pages=241–246| author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| author-link1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| date=3 February 2014| publisher=[[Routledge]]| location=[[London]]| isbn=978-1-85743-722-5| ref=IISS2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vk8-vgAACAAJ|title=The Military Balance 2017|date=14 February 2017|publisher=Routledge, Chapman & Hall, Incorporated|isbn=978-1-85743-900-7|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name=tmb2010>{{cite book|title=The Military Balance 2010|url=https://archive.org/details/militarybalance2010iiss|url-access=limited|year=2010|publisher=Routledge|location=Oxfordshire|isbn=978-1-85743-557-3|pages=[https://archive.org/details/militarybalance2010iiss/page/n348 351], 359–364}}</ref><ref name=isfeb10>{{cite news|title=Indian Army Modernisation Needs a Major Push|url=http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories482.htm|access-date=10 July 2013|newspaper=India Strategic|date=February 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906195929/http://indiastrategic.in/topstories482.htm|archive-date=6 September 2013}}</ref><ref name=dn2a12>{{cite news|title=India's Military Modernisation Up To 2027 Gets Approval |url=http://www.defencenow.com/news/611/indias-military-modernisation-up-to-2027-gets-approval.html |access-date=10 July 2013 |newspaper=Defence Now |date=2 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201514/http://www.defencenow.com/news/611/indias-military-modernisation-up-to-2027-gets-approval.html |archive-date=29 October 2013 }}</ref>

{{TOC limit|3}}

== History ==
Until the [[Indian independence movement|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";<ref>Oxford History of the British Army</ref> 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 ===
{{Main|British Indian Army}} {{Further|List of regiments of the British Indian Army (1903)}}
[[File:RML7pounderMountanGunHazaraBattery1895.jpg|thumb|left|No. 4 ([[Hazara District|Hazara]]) Mountain Battery with RML7 pounder "Steel Gun" Mountain Gun in Review Order. Left to right Naick, Havaldar, Subadar (Sikhs) and Gunner (Punjabi Musalman) {{Circa|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.<ref name=mod-history>{{cite web |url=http://mod.nic.in/aboutus/welcome.html |title=About The Ministry |publisher=Ministry of Defence, Government of India |access-date=31 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509001243/http://mod.nic.in/aboutus/welcome.html |archive-date=9 May 2012 }}</ref>

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 Presidency|Bengal]], [[Bombay Presidency|Bombay]] and [[Madras Presidency|Madras]] functioned as respective Presidency Armies until 1 April 1895, when they were unified into a single force known as the [[British Indian Army|Indian Army]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ssbcrack.com/2015/07/10-facts-which-prove-indian-army-living-up-to-its-motto-service-before-self.html|title=10 Facts Which Prove Indian Army Living Up To Its Motto – "Service Before Self"|work=SSB Interview Tips & Coaching |author=SSBCrack|date=20 July 2015 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414043620/http://www.ssbcrack.com/2015/07/10-facts-which-prove-indian-army-living-up-to-its-motto-service-before-self.html|archive-date=14 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://guidinghawk.com/indian-army-official-facebook-page-wikifactsofficial-websitemotto/|title=Indian army official Facebook page wiki-facts, official website, motto|work=GuidingHawk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411132259/http://guidinghawk.com/indian-army-official-facebook-page-wikifactsofficial-websitemotto/|archive-date=11 April 2016|access-date=2 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Rich Reynolds |title=The British Indian Army During the First World War |url=http://20thcenturybattles.com/2015/02/06/the-british-indian-army-during-the-first-world-war/# |date=6 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228235732/http://20thcenturybattles.com/2015/02/06/the-british-indian-army-during-the-first-world-war/ |archive-date=28 February 2016 |website=20th Century Battles |access-date=6 October 2024}}</ref><ref>[[Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses]]{{cite web |url=http://www.idsa-india.org/an-jul8-1.html |title=Direction of Higher Defence: II |access-date=2 April 2016 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415110107/http://www.idsa-india.org/an-jul8-1.html |archive-date=15 April 2016 }}</ref> 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).<ref>Harold E. Raugh, ''The Victorians at war, 1815–1914: an encyclopaedia of British military history'' (2004) pp 173–79</ref>

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,<ref name="Sikhs Across Borders"/> the Army fought in many other theatres: [[Third Anglo-Afghan War|Third]] Anglo-Afghan war; the [[Boxer Rebellion]] in China; in [[Abyssinia (battle honour)|Abyssinia]] and in the [[WWI|First]] and [[Second World War]]s.

=== World wars ===
{{Main|Indian Army during World War I|Indian Army during World War II}}
[[File:Hodsons Horse France 1917 IWM Q 2061.jpg|right|thumb|[[Indian Cavalry Corps|Indian Cavalry]] on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] during World War I.]]
[[File:0129.jpg|right|thumb|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 [[Flag of Nazi Germany|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.<ref>{{cite thesis |first=John |last=Lydgate |title=Quezon, Kitchener and the Problem of Indian Army Administration, 1899–1909 |url=https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/28542/1/10672701.pdf |work=SOAS Research Online |publisher=University of London |degree=PhD |date=June 1965 |access-date=4 January 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615134159/https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/28542/1/10672701.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2020}}</ref> 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 of World War I|Allies]], in which 74,187 Indian troops were killed or missing in action.<ref name="Urlanis">{{cite book |last=Urlanis |first=Boris |translator-last=Lempert |translator-first=Leo |title=Wars and Population |url=https://archive.org/details/warspopulationurlanis/page/85/mode/2up |year=1971 |page=85 |location=Moscow |publisher=[[Progress Publishers]] |access-date=6 October 2024}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=October 2024|reason=proximate citation does not support figures at page given}} In 1915 there was a [[1915 Singapore Mutiny|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#First World War|Indian Independence movement]] gained strength.

The "[[Indianisation (British India)|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 Unit Scheme of Indianisation|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.<ref>{{cite book |title=Thimayya: an amazing life |last=Khanduri |first=Chandra B. |year=2006 |publisher=Knowledge World |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-81-87966-36-4 |page=394 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWXfAAAAMAAJ |access-date=30 July 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106003728/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWXfAAAAMAAJ |archive-date=6 January 2016 }}</ref> On the eve of [[World War II]], the officer corps consisted of roughly 500 Indians holding regular commissions against approximately 3,000 British officers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nationalisation of Officer Ranks of the Indian Army|date=7 February 1947|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1947-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1947-02-07_053.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India – Archive|access-date=28 August 2021}}</ref>

In [[World War II]] Indian soldiers fought alongside the [[Allies of World War II|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 Union|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.<ref>Kaushik Roy, "Expansion And Deployment of the Indian Army during World War II: 1939–45,"''Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research,'' Autumn 2010, Vol. 88 Issue 355, pp 248–268</ref> 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 military|volunteer army]] in history, rising to over 2.5 million men in August 1945.<ref name="su25">Sumner, p.25</ref><ref name="CWrepdirect">{{cite web|url=http://www.cwgc.org/admin/files/cwgc_india.pdf |title=Commonwealth War Graves Commission Report on India 2007–2008 |access-date=7 September 2009 |publisher=[[Commonwealth War Graves Commission]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618081321/http://www.cwgc.org/admin/files/cwgc_india.pdf |archive-date=18 June 2010 }}</ref>

In the [[Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II|African and Middle East campaigns]], captured Indian troops were given a choice to join the [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|German Army]], to eventually "liberate" India from Britain, instead of being sent to [[POW camp]]s. These men, along with Indian students who were in [[Nazi Germany|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.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Martin Bamber |author2=Aad Neeven |url=http://www.freeindianlegion.info/pag_infanterie-regement-950.php |title=Infantry Regiment 950 (Ind) |publisher=The Free Indian Legion|date=26 August 1942 |access-date=1 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317021230/http://www.freeindianlegion.info/pag_infanterie-regement-950.php |archive-date=17 March 2012 }}</ref>

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 [[Battle of Singapore|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.<ref>Peter Stanley, "Great in adversity": Indian prisoners of war in New Guinea," ''Journal of the Australian War Memorial'' (October 2002) No. 37 [https://www.awm.gov.au/journal/j37/indians.asp online] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208040250/https://www.awm.gov.au/journal/j37/indians.asp |date=8 February 2016 }}</ref> After initial success, this army was defeated, along with the Japanese; but it had a huge impact on the Indian independence movement.

=== Indian independence ===
Upon the [[Partition of India]] and [[Independence of India|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 [[Dominion of India|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.<ref>For the Punjab Boundary Force, see Daniel P. Marston, "The Indian Army, Partition, and the Punjab Boundary Force, 1945–47", ''War in History'' November 2009, vol. 16 no. 4 469–505</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1375  |date=24 September 1949 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> [[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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1520  |date=29 October 1949 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Press Note|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1948-JAN-JUNE-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1948-04-06_199.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India – Archive|date=6 April 1948|access-date=15 February 2020}}</ref>

[[Army Day (India)|Army Day]] is celebrated on 15 January every year in India, in recognition of [[Lieutenant General (India)|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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=227  |date=11 February 1950 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>

=== Conflicts and operations ===
{{Main|Military operations of India}}

==== First Kashmir War (1947) ====
{{Main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1947|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 [[Dogra dynasty|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 [[Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma|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.<ref name="TC">{{cite journal |first=Tom |last=Cooper |title=Indo-Pakistani War, 1947–1949 |url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_321.shtml |date=29 October 2003 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613025308/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_321.shtml |archive-date=13 June 2006 |journal=ACIG Journal |access-date=12 April 2022}}</ref> 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).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/explained-what-is-line-of-control-and-how-it-came-into-existence-india-pakistan-tension-pahalgam-terror-attacks-loc-8252037|title=Explained: What Is Line Of Control And How It Came Into Existence}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.studyiq.com/articles/line-of-control-loc/#:~:text=Kargil%20Vijay%20Diwas-,What%20is%20the%20Line%20of%20Control%20(LoC)?,%2C%20Chenab%20River%2C%20Akhnoor).|title=Line of Control,Background and How was it formed}}</ref>

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 [[United Nations Security Council resolution|UN Security Council resolutions]] were passed, with [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 47|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.<ref name="Kashmir in the United Nations">{{cite web |title=Kashmir in the United Nations |url=http://www.kashmiri-cc.ca/un/index.htm |date=28 January 1998 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980128230651/http://www.kashmiri-cc.ca/un/index.htm |archive-date=28 January 1998 |website=Kashmiri Overseas Association of Canada |access-date=13 April 2022}}</ref> A precondition to the resolution was for Pakistan and India to return to a [[Status quo ante bellum|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.<ref>{{cite web|title=47 (1948). Resolution of 21 April 1948 [S/726] |url=https://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/RES/47(1948) |website=United Nations |access-date=13 July 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513100302/http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S%2FRES%2F47%281948%29 |archive-date=13 May 2016 }}</ref><ref name="Kashmir in the United Nations" /> Tensions between India and Pakistan, largely over Kashmir, have never been eliminated.

==== Annexation of Hyderabad (1948) ====
{{Main|Operation Polo}}
[[File:Op Polo Surrender.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|[[Major General]] [[General El Edroos|El Edroos]] (at right) offers his surrender of the Hyderabad State Forces to Major General (later Army Chief) [[Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-history/operation-polo-was-launched-hyderabad-77-years-10247784/|title=Why Operation Polo was launched to take over Hyderabad, 77 years ago}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/watch-operation-polo-the-battle-that-changed-the-fate-of-the-nizam-and-hyderabad/article68663381.ece|title=Watch: Operation Polo: The battle that changed the fate of the Nizam and Hyderabad}}</ref>

==== Assistance during the Korean War (1950–1953) ====
{{Main|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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/05/113_325480.html|title=Indian medical unit during Korean War|date=14 March 2022 |access-date=6 June 2024}}</ref> 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 [[Kodandera Subayya Thimayya|K. S. Thimayya]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=Casualty Evacuation in Korea, 1950-53: The British Experience|date=2023 |pmc=10556416 |last1=Harrison |first1=M. |journal=Ui Sahak |volume=32 |issue=2 |pages=503–552 |pmid=37718561 }}</ref>

==== Annexation of Goa, Daman and Diu (1961) ====
{{Main|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|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 (1961)|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bmmhs.org/the-annexation-of-goa/|title=The Annexation of Goa Operation Vijay 17th to 19th December 1961 by Nick Brazil}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ruleoflaw.org.au/the-annexation-of-goa/|title=The Annexation of Goa}}</ref>

==== Sino-Indian War (1962) ====
{{Main|Sino-Indian War}}
[[File:Hall of Fame Museum, Leh.jpg|thumb|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.<ref>Bruce Bueno de Mesquita & David Lalman. ''War and Reason: Domestic and International Imperatives''. Yale University Press (1994), [https://books.google.com/books?id=jhVyb7m_m8MC&pg=PA200 p. 201] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509194521/https://books.google.com/books?id=jhVyb7m_m8MC&pg=PA200&as_brr=3 |date=9 May 2016 }} {{ISBN|978-0-300-05922-9}}</ref> China's suspicion of India's involvement in [[Tibet]] created more rifts between the two countries.<ref>Alastair I. Johnston & Robert S. Ross. ''New Directions in the Study of China's Foreign Policy''. Stanford University Press (2006), [https://books.google.com/books?id=DCihrQEdPzAC&pg=PA86 p. 99] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106003728/https://books.google.com/books?id=DCihrQEdPzAC&pg=PA86&as_brr=3 |date=6 January 2016 }} {{ISBN|978-0-8047-5363-0}}</ref>

In 1962, the Indian Army was ordered to move to the [[Dhola Post|Thag La ridge]], located near the border between Bhutan and [[Arunachal Pradesh]] and about {{convert|3|mi|km|0|order=flip|abbr=off}} 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 Report|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.<ref>Claude Arpi. ''India and her neighbourhood: a French observer's views''. Har-Anand Publications (2005), [https://books.google.com/books?id=RtLS3TPoan4C&pg=PA186 p. 186] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106003728/https://books.google.com/books?id=RtLS3TPoan4C&pg=PA186 |date=6 January 2016 }}.
{{ISBN|978-81-241-1097-3}}.</ref> [[Neville Maxwell]] has written an account of the war.<ref>CenturyChina, www.centurychina.com/plaboard/uploads/1962war.htm</ref>

==== Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 ====
{{Main|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.<ref>Dennis Kux's ''India and the United States: estranged democracies, 1941–1991'', {{ISBN|1-4289-8189-6}}, DIANE Publishing, Pg 238</ref><ref>Dijkink, Gertjan. ''National identity and geopolitical visions: maps of pride and pain''. Routledge, 1996. {{ISBN|0-415-13934-1}}.</ref><ref>Praagh, David. ''The greater game: India's race with destiny and China''. McGill-Queen's Press&nbsp;– MQUP, 2003. {{ISBN|0-7735-2639-0}}.</ref> Pakistani president [[Ayub Khan (Field Marshal)|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 (state)|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.

[[File:1965 Indo-Pak War DestroyedShermanTank.jpg|alt=|thumb|Indian Army officer next to a destroyed Pakistani [[M4 Sherman|Sherman tank]], after the [[Battle of Asal Uttar|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.<ref name=pradhan>{{cite book|author1=R.D. Pradhan |author2=Yashwantrao Balwantrao Chavan|title=1965 War, the Inside Story: Defence Minister Y.B. Chavan's Diary of India-Pakistan War|year=2007|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distributors|isbn=978-81-269-0762-5|page=47|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ymYCJQjEGBUC&pg=PA47|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106003728/https://books.google.com/books?id=ymYCJQjEGBUC&pg=PA47|archive-date=6 January 2016}}</ref> 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.<ref name=pradhan />

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.<ref>Sumit Ganguly. "Pakistan". In [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/intoc.html ''India: A Country Study''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070401023700/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/intoc.html |date=1 April 2007 }} (James Heitzman and Robert L. Worden, editors). [[Library of Congress]] [[Federal Research Division]] (September 1995).</ref><ref name=encarta>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Ganguly |first=Sumit |author-link=Sumit Ganguly |title=Indo-Pakistan Wars |url=http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_781531179/indo-pakistan_wars.html |date=2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508073809/http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_781531179/Indo-Pakistan_Wars.html |archive-date=8 May 2009 |url-status=dead |encyclopedia=[[Microsoft Encarta]] |access-date=3 December 2022}}</ref><ref name="Hagerty">{{cite book|last = Thomas M. Leonard|title = Encyclopedia of the developing world, Volume 2|publisher = Taylor & Francis, 2006|isbn = 978-0-415-97663-3|year = 2006}}</ref> About 200–300 Pakistani tanks were either destroyed or captured by India. India lost a total of 150-190 tanks during the conflict.<ref name=pradhan /><ref>Spencer Tucker. ''Tanks: An Illustrated History of Their Impact''. ABC-CLIO (2004), [https://books.google.com/books?id=N481TmqiSiUC&pg=PA172 p. 172] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106003728/https://books.google.com/books?id=N481TmqiSiUC&pg=PA172 |date=6 January 2016 }}. {{ISBN|978-1-57607-995-9}}.</ref> 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.<ref>Sumit Ganguly. ''Conflict unending: India-Pakistan tensions since 1947''. Columbia University Press (2002), [https://books.google.com/books?id=xn_QVYLy6ocC&pg=PA45 p. 45] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106003728/https://books.google.com/books?id=xn_QVYLy6ocC&pg=PA45 |date=6 January 2016 }}. {{ISBN|978-0-231-12369-3}}.</ref>

==== 1967 Sino-Indian conflict ====
{{Main|Cho La incident}}

The 1967 Sino-Indian skirmish, also known as the [[Nathu La and Cho La clashes|Cho La incident]], was a [[military conflict]] between Indian troops and members of the [[China|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 [[Nathu La|Nathula]], and 40 in Chola.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pSpncRn2YFYC |title=Rapprochement Across the Himalayas: Emerging India-China Relations Post Cold War Period (1947–2003) |access-date=15 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106003728/https://books.google.com/books?id=pSpncRn2YFYC |archive-date=6 January 2016 |isbn=9788178352947 |last1=Mishra |first1=Keshav |year=2004 |page=40|publisher=Gyan Publishing House }}</ref> The Chinese Army left Sikkim after this defeat.<ref name=Hoontrakul>{{cite book |last=Hoontrakul |first=Pongsak |title=The Global Rise of Asian Transformation: Trends and Developments in Economic Growth Dynamics |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RrKYBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA37 |year=2014 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |edition=illustrated |isbn=978-1-137-41235-5 |page=37 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518210733/https://books.google.com/books?id=RrKYBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA37 |archive-date=18 May 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/NewsContent.aspx?NID=11769 |title=50 years after Sino-Indian war |newspaper=Millennium Post |date=16 May 1975 |access-date=12 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203031350/http://www.millenniumpost.in/NewsContent.aspx?NID=11769 |archive-date=3 December 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kirantis' khukris flash at Chola in 1967 |newspaper=Hindustan Times |access-date=22 July 2015 |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/kirantis-khukris-flash-at-chola-in-1967/article1-1239765.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228201511/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/assault-rifle-excalibur-drdo-dalbir-singh-indian-army-arde/1/449238.html |archive-date=28 February 2016 }}</ref>

==== Operation against the Naxalites during 1971 ====

Under Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]], during the [[president's rule]] in 1971, the Indian Army and the [[Indian Police Service|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.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Maoist Insurgency in Nepal: Revolution in the Twenty-first Century |chapter=Part V: Military and state dimension |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KtGNAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA208 |page=208 |first1=Mahendra |last1=Lawoti |first2=Anup Kumar |last2=Pahari |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=London |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-135-26168-9 |quote=The second turning point came in the wake of the 1971 Bangladesh war of independence which India supported with armed troops. With large contingents of Indian Army troops amassed in the West Bengal border with what was then East Pakistan, the Government of Indira Gandhi used the opening provided by President's Rule to divert sections of the army to assist the police in decisive counter-insurgency drives across Naxal–impacted areas. "Operation Steeplechase," a police and army joint anti–Naxalite undertaking, was launched in July–August 1971. By the end of "Operation Steeplechase" over 20,000 suspected Naxalites were imprisoned and including senior leaders and cadre, and hundreds had been killed in police encounters. It was a massive counter-insurgency undertaking by any standards.}}</ref> The army was also assisted by a [[brigade]] of [[Para Commandos (India)|para commandos]] and the [[Paramilitary forces of India|Indian paramilitary]]. The operation was organised in October 1969, and Lieutenant General [[J.F.R. Jacob]] was told by [[Govind Narain]], the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)#Home Secretary and other senior officials|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]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Hello, Bastar : The Untold Story of India's Maoist Movement |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IZ83V3JLXFMC&pg=PA23 |first=Rahul |last=Pandita |pages=23–24 |publisher=Westland (Tranquebar Press) |year=2011 |location=Chennai |isbn=978-93-80658-34-6 |oclc=754482226 |quote=Meanwhile, the Congress government led by Indira Gandhi decided to send in the army and tackle the problem militarily. A combined operation called Operation Steeplechase was launched jointly by the military, paramilitary and state police forces in West Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.<br />In Kolkata, Lt General J.F.R. Jacob of the Indian Army's Eastern Command received two very important visitors in his office in October 1969. One was the army chief General Sam Manekshaw and the other was the home secretary Govind Narain. Jacob was told of the Centre's plan to send in the army to break the Naxal. More than 40 years later, Jacob would recall how he had asked for more troops, some of which he got along with a brigade of para commandos. When he asked his boss to give him something in writing, Manekshaw declined, saying, 'Nothing in writing.' while secretary Narain added that there should be no publicity and no records. }}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==== Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 ====
{{Main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}
{{See also|Battle of Longewala|Battle of Hilli|Battle of Basantar}}

An independence movement broke out in [[East Pakistan]] which was [[Operation Searchlight|crushed]] by Pakistani forces. Due to large-scale [[1971 Bangladesh atrocities|atrocities]] committed against them, thousands of [[Bengali people|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://brigadierdefenceacademy.in/10-unknown-victories-of-raw/|title=About 10 Unknown Victories Of RAW [Research And Analysis Wing]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/indias-secret-war-in-bangladesh/article2747538.ece#:~:text=The%201971%20war%20history%20records,that%20rely%20on%20these%20tactics.|title=India's secret war in Bangladesh}}</ref>

On 20 November 1971, the Indian Army moved 14 Punjab Battalion of the [[45th Cavalry (India)|45th Cavalry]] regiment, into Garibpur, a strategically important town in East Pakistan, near India's border, and successfully [[Battle of Garibpur|captured it]]. The following day, more [[Battle of Atgram|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 Airport|Srinagar]], [[Jammu Airport|Jammu]], [[Pathankot Air Force Station|Pathankot]], [[Amritsar Air Force Station|Amritsar]], [[Agra Air Force Station|Agra]], [[Adampur Airport|Adampur]], [[Jodhpur Airport|Jodhpur]], [[Jaisalmer Airport|Jaisalmer]], [[Uttarlai Air Force Station|Uttarlai]], and [[Sirsa Air Force Station|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.<ref>Owen Bennett Jones. ''Pakistan: Eye of the Storm''. Yale University Press (2003), [https://books.google.com/books?id=ONZpltd6UZ8C&pg=RA1-PA177 p. 177] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106003728/https://books.google.com/books?id=ONZpltd6UZ8C&pg=RA1-PA177 |date=6 January 2016 }}. {{ISBN|978-0-300-10147-8}}.</ref> India's massive early gains were attributed largely to the speed and flexibility with which Indian armoured divisions moved across East Pakistan.<ref>Eric H. Arnett. ''Military capacity and the risk of war: China, India, Pakistan, and Iran''. Oxford University Press (1997), [https://books.google.com/books?id=eOgj3HHDnJkC&pg=PA134 p. 134] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106003728/https://books.google.com/books?id=eOgj3HHDnJkC&pg=PA134 |date=6 January 2016 }}. {{ISBN|978-0-19-829281-4}}.</ref>

[[File:1971 Instrument of Surrender WaPo.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Lieutenant general (Pakistan)|Lt Gen]] [[A. A. K. Niazi|A A K Niazi]] (right), Commander of the [[Pakistani Army|Pakistani]] [[East Pakistan|Eastern Command]], signing the [[Pakistani Instrument of Surrender|Instrument of Surrender]] under the gaze of [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lt Gen]] [[Jagjit Singh Arora|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 (India)|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.<ref>S. Paul Kapur. ''Dangerous deterrent: nuclear weapons proliferation and conflict in South Asia''. Stanford University Press (2007), [https://books.google.com/books?id=6Qbovlt-eZ4C&pg=PA17 p. 17] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106003728/https://books.google.com/books?id=6Qbovlt-eZ4C&pg=PA17 |date=6 January 2016 }}. {{ISBN|978-0-8047-5550-4}}.</ref> By 16 December, Pakistan had lost sizeable territory on both the eastern and western fronts.

On 16 December 1971, under the command of [[Jagjit Singh Arora|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 [[Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi|A. A. K. Niazi]] signed the [[Pakistani Instrument of Surrender|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.<ref name=encarta /> In addition, Pakistan lost 220 tanks during the battle compared to India's 69.<ref>Encyclopedia of the Developing World, [https://books.google.com/books?id=3mE04D9PMpAC&pg=PA806 p. 806] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106003728/https://books.google.com/books?id=3mE04D9PMpAC&pg=PA806 |date=6 January 2016 }}</ref>

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) ====
{{Main|Siachen conflict}}
[[File:22 Indian Army Medical Corps.jpg|alt=|thumb|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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=North |first1=Andrew |title=Siachen dispute: India and Pakistan's glacial fight |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-26967340 |access-date=23 May 2022 |work=BBC News |agency=BBC |date=12 April 2014}}</ref> 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 {{convert|1000|sqmi|km2|sigfig=2|order=flip|abbr=on}} of territory claimed by Pakistan was under Indian control.<ref>Edward W. Desmond. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,958254-2,00.html "The Himalayas War at the Top Of the World"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114104526/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C958254-2%2C00.html |date=14 January 2009 }}. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' (31 July 1989).</ref> 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 [[Khaplu|Khapalu]], aiming to capture [[Bilafond La]].<ref>Vivek Chadha. ''Low Intensity Conflicts in India: An Analysis''. SAGE (2005), [https://books.google.com/books?id=ApzUuLiO0jYC&pg=PA105 p. 105] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106003728/https://books.google.com/books?id=ApzUuLiO0jYC&pg=PA105 |date=6 January 2016 }}. {{ISBN|978-0-7619-3325-0}}.</ref> 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.<ref>Pradeep Barua. ''The State at War in South Asia''. University of Nebraska Press (2005), [https://books.google.com/books?id=FIIQhuAOGaIC&pg=PA256 p. 256] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106003728/https://books.google.com/books?id=FIIQhuAOGaIC&pg=PA256 |date=6 January 2016 }}. {{ISBN|978-0-8032-1344-9}}.</ref> Further unsuccessful attempts to reclaim positions were launched by Pakistan in 1990, 1995, 1996, and 1999, most notably in Kargil in the latter year.

[[File:An Indian Army soldier in snow camouflage.jpg|thumb|An Indian Army soldier, part of a patrolling group, in snow camouflage holding a [[SIG Sauer SIG516#SIG 716i|SIG 716i]].]]
[[File:Indian Army patrolling team.jpg|thumb|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]].<ref>Tim McGirk with Aravind Adiga. [https://web.archive.org/web/20050707031356/http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501050711/story.html "War at the Top of the World"]. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' (4 May 2005).</ref><ref name="Kamal Thakur">{{cite news |author=Kamal Thakur |title=16 Things You Should Know About India's Soldiers Defending Siachen |url=http://topyaps.com/know-about-indian-soldiers-in-siachen |date=1 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031102028/http://topyaps.com/know-about-indian-soldiers-in-siachen |archive-date=31 October 2014 |newspaper=Topyaps |access-date=6 October 2024}}</ref> 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.<ref>Sanjay Dutt. ''War and Peace in Kargil Sector''. APH Publishing (2000), [https://books.google.com/books?id=XlHplc3pr1IC&pg=PA389 p. 389-90] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521053715/https://books.google.com/books?id=XlHplc3pr1IC&pg=PA389 |date=21 May 2016 }}.
{{ISBN|978-81-7648-151-9}}.</ref> 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 {{convert|21000|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}}.<ref>Nick Easen. [http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/south/05/20/siachen.kashmir/ Siachen: The world's highest cold war] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823055149/http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/south/05/20/siachen.kashmir/ |date=23 August 2016 }}. [[CNN]] (17 September 2003).</ref> In 2004, the Indian Army was spending an estimated US$2 million a month to support its personnel stationed in the region.<ref>Arun Bhattacharjee. [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FI23Df04.html "On Kashmir, hot air and trial balloons"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228201511/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/assault-rifle-excalibur-drdo-dalbir-singh-indian-army-arde/1/449238.html |date=28 February 2016 }}. ''[[Asia Times]]'' (23 September 2004).</ref>

==== Counter-insurgency activities ====

The Indian Army has played a crucial role in fighting [[Insurgency|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 [[Paramilitary forces of India|some paramilitary forces]], has the prime responsibility of maintaining [[law and order (politics)|law and order]] in the troubled [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scoopnews.in/det.aspx?q=40585|title=Indian Army organizes a Symposium titled "North Technical-2014" – Scoop News Jammu Kashmir|access-date=4 April 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106003728/http://www.scoopnews.in/det.aspx?q=40585|archive-date=6 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=e-Symposium – Northern Command |url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=qa5JhBUEvMjl6sBZTu6ALg==&ParentID=djRlGJCPlMimzWFr2XjtFQ==&flag=XJhhZ3ZNb4jdIfd36rqrwA== |website=Official Website of Indian Army |access-date=9 January 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224154906/http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=qa5JhBUEvMjl6sBZTu6ALg%3D%3D&ParentID=djRlGJCPlMimzWFr2XjtFQ%3D%3D&flag=XJhhZ3ZNb4jdIfd36rqrwA%3D%3D |archive-date=24 December 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=e-Symposium – Northern Command: North Tech Symposium 2016 |url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=3F60ea7D/0+avn5qmbETJA==&ParentID=L6g1oacs6fCSYTJA2U+VpQ== |website=Official Website of Indian Army |access-date=9 January 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224181634/http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=3F60ea7D%2F0%2Bavn5qmbETJA%3D%3D&ParentID=L6g1oacs6fCSYTJA2U%2BVpQ%3D%3D |archive-date=24 December 2016 }}</ref> The Indian Army also successfully conducted [[Operation Golden Bird]] in 1995, as a counter-insurgency operation in northeast India.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h9KGAwAAQBAJ&q=Wyakaung+beach&pg=PA185|title=Troubled Periphery: The Crisis of India's North East By Subir Bhaumik|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106123006/https://books.google.com/books?id=h9KGAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA185&lpg=PA185#v=onepage&q=Wyakaung%20beach|archive-date=6 January 2017|isbn=9788132104797|last1=Bhaumik|first1=Subir|date=10 December 2009|publisher=SAGE Publications India }}</ref>

==== Kargil war (1999) ====
{{Main|Kargil War}}

In 1998, India carried out [[Pokhran-II|nuclear tests]]; and a few days later, Pakistan responded with [[Chagai-I|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 (Kargil)|Tiger Hill]], overlooked the vital [[Srinagar]]–[[Leh]] Highway ([[National Highway 1 (India)|NH 1A]]), [[Batalik]], and [[Dras]].

[[File:KWM.jpg|thumb|[[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 (1999)|Operation Vijay]] was launched. However, since the heights were under Pakistani control, India was at a clear strategic disadvantage. From their [[observation post]]s, the Pakistani forces had a clear line-of-sight to lay down [[indirect fire|indirect artillery fire]] on NH 1A, inflicting heavy casualties on the Indians.<ref name="NLI">[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_5-5-2003_pg7_14 Indian general praises Pakistani valour at Kargil] 5 May 2003 Daily Times, Pakistan {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116123416/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_5-5-2003_pg7_14 |date=16 January 2009 }}</ref> This was a serious problem for the Indian Army as the highway was its main supply route.<ref>Kashmir in the Shadow of War By Robert Wirsing Published by M.E. Sharpe, 2003
{{ISBN|0-7656-1090-6}} pp36</ref> Thus, the Indian Army's priority was to recapture peaks near NH 1A. This resulted in Indian troops first [[Battle of Tiger Hill|targeting the Tiger Hill]] and [[Battle of Tololing|Tololing complex]] in Dras.<ref>Managing Armed Conflicts in the 21st Century By Adekeye Adebajo, Chandra Lekha Sriram Published by Routledge pp192,193</ref> 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.<ref>The State at War in South Asia By Pradeep Barua Published by U of Nebraska Press Page 261</ref>

[[File:Kargil war.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|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 [[Sightline|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 {{convert|18000|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}}. Two months into the conflict, Indian troops had slowly retaken most of the ridges they had lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lrb.co.uk/v23/n08/ali_01_.html|title=Tariq Ali · Bitter Chill of Winter: Kashmir · LRB 19 April 2001|work=London Review of Books|access-date=4 April 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001175541/http://www.lrb.co.uk/v23/n08/ali_01_.html|archive-date=1 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | author=Colonel Ravi Nanda | title=Kargil : A Wake Up Call | publisher=Vedams Books | year=1999 | isbn=978-81-7095-074-5}} [https://www.vedamsbooks.com/no14953.htm Online summary of the Book] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928055430/https://www.vedamsbooks.com/no14953.htm |date=28 September 2007 }}</ref> 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 [[Kargil War#Washington Accord and final battles|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.<ref>Alastair Lawson. [https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/386537.stm "Pakistan and the Kashmir militants"] . [[BBC News]] (5 July 1999).</ref> 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 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 [[Simla Convention|Shimla Accord]]. By the time all hostilities had ended, the number of Indian soldiers killed during the conflict stood at 527,<ref>A.K. Chakraborty. [http://pib.nic.in/feature/feyr2000/fjul2000/f210720001.html "Kargil War brings into sharp focus India's commitment to peace"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818095434/http://pib.nic.in/feature/feyr2000/fjul2000/f210720001.html |date=18 August 2014 }}. Government of India Press Information Bureau (July 2000).</ref> while more than 700 regular members of the Pakistani Army had been killed.<ref>Michael Edward Brown. ''Offense, defence, and war''. MIT Press (2004), [https://books.google.com/books?id=e7bx2eNsc7wC&pg=PA393 p. 393] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106003728/https://books.google.com/books?id=e7bx2eNsc7wC&pg=PA393 |date=6 January 2016 }}</ref> The number of Islamist fighters, also known as Mujahideen, killed by Indian armed forces during the conflict stood at about 3,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/military-history-and-science/kargil-war|title=Kargil War}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pak-lost-2700-men-in-kargil-war-sharif/articleshow/1711896.cms|title=Pak lost 2700 men in Kargil: Shariff}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Kargil-War|title=Kargil War India-Pakistan [1999]}}</ref>

==== 2016 Surgical Strikes on Kashmir and the 2016–2018 India-Pakistan conflict ====
{{Main|India–Pakistan border skirmishes (2016–2018)}}

On 18 September 2016, a [[2016 Uri attack|''fedayeen'' attack]] was made by four armed militants on an army base near the town of [[Uri, Jammu and Kashmir|Uri]]. Nineteen Indian Army soldiers were killed. India accused [[Jaish-e-Muhammad]], a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation.<ref>{{citation|author=Sameer Yasir |title=Uri attack carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammad militants, confirms Indian Army |newspaper=Firstpost |date=21 September 2016 |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/uri-attack-carried-out-by-jaish-e-mohammad-militants-confirms-indian-army-3013332.html}}</ref> On 29 September 2016, the India Army announced that it conducted "[[surgical strike]]s" against militant launch pads across the [[Line of Control]], in Pakistani-administered [[Kashmir]], and inflicted "significant casualties".<ref name="DGMO">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-s-surgical-strikes-across-loc-full-statement-by-dgmo-lt-gen-ranbir-singh/story-Q5yrp0gjvxKPGazDzAnVsM.html|title=India's surgical strikes across LoC: Full statement by DGMO Lt Gen Ranbir Singh|work=Hindustan Times|date=29 September 2016|access-date=2 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002024056/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-s-surgical-strikes-across-loc-full-statement-by-dgmo-lt-gen-ranbir-singh/story-Q5yrp0gjvxKPGazDzAnVsM.html|archive-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> Indian media reported the casualty figures variously from 35 to 70 killed.<ref name="FE">{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/uri-avenged-35-40-terrorists-9-pakistani-soldiers-killed-in-indian-surgical-strikes-say-tv-reports/397625/|date=29 September 2016|title=Uri avenged: 35–40 terrorists, 9 Pakistani soldiers killed in Indian surgical strikes|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002035024/http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/uri-avenged-35-40-terrorists-9-pakistani-soldiers-killed-in-indian-surgical-strikes-say-tv-reports/397625/|archive-date=2 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="para_commandos">{{cite magazine | url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uri-avenged-inside-story-indian-army-surgical-strikes-pok/1/776433.html | title=Surgical strikes in PoK: How Indian para commandos killed 50 terrorists, hit 7 camps | magazine=India Today | date=29 September 2016 | access-date=1 October 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001032146/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uri-avenged-inside-story-indian-army-surgical-strikes-pok/1/776433.html | archive-date=1 October 2016 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> Partial footage of the strikes was released to the Indian media on 27 June 2018 as proof of the strike.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/video-footage-provides-proof-of-surgical-strikes-across-loc/videoshow/64768915.cms|title=Video footage provides proof of surgical strikes across LoC |website=The Times of India|access-date=28 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/surgical-strikes-video-out-shows-terror-casualties-damage-to-bunkers-pakistan-border-indian-army-5236452/|title=Surgical strikes video out, shows terror casualties, damage to bunkers|date=28 June 2018|work=The Indian Express|access-date=28 June 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/new-video-of-2016-surgical-strikes-released-day-ahead-of-2nd-anniversary-1923184|title=New Video Of 2016 Surgical Strikes Shows Assault On Terror Launch Pads}}</ref> The incident triggered the [[India–Pakistan border skirmishes (2016–2018)|2016–2018 India-Pakistan border conflict]], which ended on 16 June 2018 with both India and Pakistan agreeing on a ceasefire.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/bsf-carries-out-9-major-strikes-on-pak-10-posts-bunkers-decimated/|title=BSF carries out 9 major strikes on Pak; 10 posts, bunkers decimated|work=Daily Excelsior|date=4 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indian-armys-21-year-old-rifleman-killed-in-ceasefire-violation/articleshow/64613172.cms|title=Indian Army's 21-year-old Rifleman killed in ceasefire violation|date=16 June 2018|newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref>

==== 2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes ====
{{Main|2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes}}

Following the [[2019 Pulwama attack]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|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]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Safi |first1=Michael |last2=Farooq |first2=Azhar |date=15 February 2019 |title=Dozens of Indian paramilitaries killed in Kashmir car bombing|work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/14/indian-paramilitaries-killed-in-suicide-car-bombing-in-kashmir |url-status=live |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404033022/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/14/indian-paramilitaries-killed-in-suicide-car-bombing-in-kashmir |archive-date=4 April 2019 |issn=0261-3077 |quote=The Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the bombing. It said it was carried out by Adil Ahmad Dar, a locally recruited fighter from south Kashmir's Pulwama district. The group released a video showing Dar delivering his will and a photograph of him surrounded by guns and grenades}}</ref> India blamed Pakistan for the attack and promised a robust response, while the latter condemned the attack and denied having any connection to it.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Safi |first1=Michael |last2=Farooq |first2=Azhar |date=15 February 2019 |title=Dozens of Indian paramilitaries killed in Kashmir car bombing|work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/14/indian-paramilitaries-killed-in-suicide-car-bombing-in-kashmir |url-status=live |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404033022/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/14/indian-paramilitaries-killed-in-suicide-car-bombing-in-kashmir |archive-date=4 April 2019 |issn=0261-3077 |quote=We will give a befitting reply, our neighbour will not be allowed to de-stabilise us", Modi said}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Abi-Habib |first1=Maria |last2=Yasir |first2=Sameer |last3=Kumar |first3=Hari |date=15 February 2019 |title=India Blames Pakistan for Attack in Kashmir, Promising a Response|work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/world/asia/kashmir-attack-pulwama.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223135448/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/world/asia/kashmir-attack-pulwama.html |archive-date=23 February 2019 |issn=0362-4331 |quote=Pakistan has denied involvement in the attack, in which at least 40 Indian soldiers were killed Thursday when a driver slammed an explosives-packed vehicle into a paramilitary convoy.}}</ref>

Twelve days later, in the early morning of 26 February 2019, [[2019 Balakot airstrike|India carried out a cross-border airstrike]] near [[Balakot]], [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]], Pakistan.<ref name="slater1">{{citation|author=Joanna Slater|title=India strikes Pakistan in severe escalation of tensions between nuclear rivals|date=26 February 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Safi |first1=Michael |last2=Zahra-Malik |first2=Mehreen |date=27 February 2019 |title='Get ready for our surprise': Pakistan warns India it will respond to airstrikes|work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/26/pakistan-india-jets-breached-ceasefire-line-kashmir-bomb |url-status=live |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331102419/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/26/pakistan-india-jets-breached-ceasefire-line-kashmir-bomb |archive-date=31 March 2019 |issn=0261-3077 |quote=Pakistan, said the war planes made it up to five miles [eight kilometres] inside its territory}}</ref>

After over a month-long skirmish, both Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] and Pakistani Prime Minister [[Imran Khan]] agreed on a peace offer on 22 March 2019 ending hostilities and vowed to fight against terrorism together.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gul |first=Ayaz |date=22 March 2019 |title=Pakistani PM Receives National Day Greetings from Indian Counterpart |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistani-pm-receives-national-day-greetings-from-indian-counterpart/4843592.html |access-date=1 July 2023 |website=VOA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/03/22/time-to-work-together-indias-modi-messages-pm-imran/|title=Pakistan welcomes India's peace offer &#124; Pakistan Today|website=Pakistan Today}}</ref>

==== United Nations peacekeeping missions ====
{{Main|Indian Army United Nations peacekeeping missions}}
[[File:9 avril 2015. Binza, Nord Kivu, RD Congo. Un casque bleu d’INBATT 2 et un soldat des FARDC se saluent et s’encouragent mutuellement. (16534163503).jpg|alt=|thumb|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.<ref>[http://www.un.int/india/india%20&%20un/peacekeeping.pdf]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221201324/http://www.un.int/india/india%20%26%20un/peacekeeping.pdf|date=21 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/pastops.shtml |title=Past peacekeeping operations |publisher=United Nations Peacekeeping |access-date=31 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912002335/http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/pastops.shtml |archive-date=12 September 2009 }}</ref> {{As of|2014|June|30}}, 157 Indians have been killed during such missions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/fatalities/documents/stats_2.pdf|title=United Nations peacekeeping – Fatalities By Year up to 30 June 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702205147/http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/fatalities/documents/stats_2.pdf|archive-date=2 July 2017}}</ref> The Indian army has also provided paramedical units to facilitate the withdrawal of the sick and wounded.

==== Indo-China Doklam issue ====
{{Main|2017 China–India border standoff}}

=== Major exercises ===
{{See also|List of exercises of the Indian Army}}

==== Operation Brasstacks ====

[[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.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=John Cherian |title=An exercise in anticipation |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1811/18110990.htm |date=26 May – 8 June 2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041207205511/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1811/18110990.htm |archive-date=7 December 2004 |magazine=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]] |volume=18 |issue=11 |access-date=13 April 2022}}</ref>

==== Exercise Nomadic Elephant ====

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.<ref name=bs11j13>{{cite news|title=India, Mongolia engage in joint military exercises|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/india-mongolia-engage-in-joint-military-exercises-113061100792_1.html|access-date=27 June 2013|newspaper=Business Standard|date=11 June 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615211324/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/india-mongolia-engage-in-joint-military-exercises-113061100792_1.html|archive-date=15 June 2013}}</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.142199665976671.1073741891.123788044484500&type=1 Exercise Nomadic Elephant, Indo Mongolian Joint Military Exercise] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018110057/https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.142199665976671.1073741891.123788044484500&type=1 |date=18 October 2015 }}. Facebook (24 June 2013). Retrieved 12 July 2013.</ref>

==== Exercise Ashwamedha ====

Indian Army tested its network-centric warfare capabilities in the Ashwamedha exercise. The exercise was held in the [[Thar Desert|Thar desert]], and over 300,000 troops participated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india-defence.com/reports/3115 |title=Indian Army tests network-centric warfare capability in Ashwamedha war games |publisher=India-defence.com |access-date=1 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205100849/http://www.india-defence.com/reports/3115 |archive-date=5 February 2012 }}</ref> Asymmetric warfare capability was also tested by the Indian Army during the exercise.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyindia.com/show/138168.php/Ashwamedha-reinforces-importance-of-foot-soldiers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927202026/http://www.dailyindia.com/show/138168.php/Ashwamedha-reinforces-importance-of-foot-soldiers|url-status=dead|title='Ashwamedha' reinforces importance of foot soldiers|archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref>

==== Exercise Yudh Abhyas ====
{{Main|India–United States relations#Military relations}}
[[File:Yudh Abhyas 2012.ogv|thumb|left|Yudh Abhyas 2012&nbsp;– US and Indian Army military exercise video trailer]]
[[File:Army Aviation India deploying US troops.jpg|alt=|thumb|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).
[[File:T-90 Bhisma cropped.jpg|alt=|thumb|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 [[United States Army Pacific|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 (United States)|25th Infantry Division]], Hawaii, along with a [[Stryker]] platoon, and a similarly sized Indian Army contingent of mechanised infantry. Several key surveillance, communications, and [[improvised explosive device|IED]] detection and neutralisation technologies, available to both sides, were fielded in the exercise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/indo-us-war-games-at-its-peak/articleshow/12256907.cms|title=Indo-US war games at its peak}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spsmai.com/exclusive/?id=64&q=Exercise-Yudh-Abhyas-2012|title=Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2012}}</ref>

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 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force)|5th Gurka Rifles]]; the [[50th Parachute Brigade (India)|50th Independent Parachute Brigade]]; and the 54th Engineers Regiment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hawaiiarmyweekly.com/2013/05/22/yudh-abhyas-enhances-u-s-indian-army-partnership/ |title=Yudh Abhyas enhances U.S., Indian Army partnership |publisher=Hawaii Army Weekly |date=22 May 2013 |access-date=11 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705080627/http://www.hawaiiarmyweekly.com/2013/05/22/yudh-abhyas-enhances-u-s-indian-army-partnership/ |archive-date=5 July 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ausa.org/publications/armymagazine/archive/2013/08/Documents/Steele_August2013.pdf|title=Steele_August2013.pdf – Association of the United States Army|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054755/http://www.ausa.org/publications/armymagazine/archive/2013/08/Documents/Steele_August2013.pdf|archive-date=21 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mil/media/295176|title=Yudh Abhyas 2013 Begins|author=Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod|date=11 May 2013|access-date=4 April 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002011703/http://www.army.mil/media/295176|archive-date=2 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sgt._Balkrishna_Dave_explains_weapons-range_safety_procedures_to_Indian_Army_soldiers_with_the_99th_Mountain_Brigade_before_they_fire_American_machine_guns.jpg|title=File:Sgt. Balkrishna Dave explains weapons-range safety procedures to Indian Army soldiers with the 99th Mountain Brigade before they fire American machine guns.jpg|date=3 May 2013|access-date=4 April 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026024029/https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ASgt._Balkrishna_Dave_explains_weapons-range_safety_procedures_to_Indian_Army_soldiers_with_the_99th_Mountain_Brigade_before_they_fire_American_machine_guns.jpg|archive-date=26 October 2015}}</ref>

==== Exercise Shakti ====
[[File:Exercise Shakti - ASMI gun being shown to visiting French soldier.jpg|thumb|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/indo-french-joint-army-exercise-shakti-2013-begins-today_875147.html |title=Indo-French joint Army exercise Shakti 2013 begins today |date=9 September 2013 |publisher=Zeenews.india.com |access-date=11 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706090958/http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/indo-french-joint-army-exercise-shakti-2013-begins-today_875147.html |archive-date=6 July 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.161880577341913.1073741956.123788044484500&type=1 |title=Indo-French Joint Army Exercise "Shakti 2016" |publisher=Facebook |access-date=11 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018110057/https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.161880577341913.1073741956.123788044484500&type=1 |archive-date=18 October 2015 }}</ref>

==== Exercise Shoorveer ====

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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.facenfacts.com/NewsDetails/24655/indian-army-gears-up-for-war-game-in-rajasthan-desert.htm |title=Indian Army gears up for war game in Rajasthan desert |publisher=FacenFacts |date=25 April 2012 |access-date=1 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605123334/http://www.facenfacts.com/NewsDetails/24655/indian-army-gears-up-for-war-game-in-rajasthan-desert.htm |archive-date=5 June 2012 }}</ref>

==== Exercise Rudra Akrosh ====

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".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/western-army-command-conducts-summer-training-exercises-112051100459_1.html |title=Western Army Command conducts summer training exercises |date=11 May 2012 |work=Business Standard India |access-date=27 June 2019}}</ref> The exercise involved approximately 20,000 troops and support from the Indian Air Force.

==== Exercise Shatrujeet ====

In April 2016, the Indian Army conducted a major exercise called Shatrujeet, with the elite [[I Corps (India)|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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Indian-Armys-firing-exercise-Shatrujeet-enters-its-last-phase/articleshow/51861638.cms|title=Indian Army's firing exercise 'Shatrujeet' enters its last phase – Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=17 April 2016 |access-date=18 April 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418064432/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Indian-Armys-firing-exercise-Shatrujeet-enters-its-last-phase/articleshow/51861638.cms|archive-date=18 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indian-army-conducts-battle-exercise-shatrujeet-in-rajasthan-1396215|title=Indian Army Conducts Battle Exercise 'Shatrujeet' In Rajasthan|website=NDTV.com|access-date=18 April 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417140922/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indian-army-conducts-battle-exercise-shatrujeet-in-rajasthan-1396215|archive-date=17 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsghana.com.gh/indian-army-test-its-operation-abilities/|title=Indian Army Test Its Operation Abilities|website=News Ghana|date=17 April 2016 |access-date=18 April 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422040921/http://www.newsghana.com.gh/indian-army-test-its-operation-abilities/|archive-date=22 April 2016}}</ref>

== Mission and doctrine ==

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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/100770/India/army-and-navy-plan-to-set-up-a-marine-brigade.html |title=Army and navy plan to set up a marine brigade |publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=9 June 2010 |access-date=1 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019211335/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/100770/India/army-and-navy-plan-to-set-up-a-marine-brigade.html |archive-date=19 October 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url =https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/peninsular-command-by-next-year-end-theatre-commands-by-2022-gen-rawat/article30840974.ece | title =Peninsular command by next year end, theatre commands by 2022: Gen. Rawat | website =The Hindu  | access-date =19 July 2021 }}</ref>

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 ==
=== Leadership ===
{{Main|List of serving generals of the Indian Army}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Leadership at Army Headquarters
!Post
!Current Holder
|-
|[[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]]
|General [[Upendra Dwivedi]], PVSM, AVSM<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-11 |title=Lt. General Upendra Dwivedi appointed new Army Chief |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/lt-general-upendra-dwivedi-appointed-new-army-chief-9386535/ |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Vice Chief of Army Staff (India)|Vice Chief of Army Staff]]
|Lieutenant General [[Pushpendra Pal Singh (general)|Pushpendra Pal Singh]], AVSM, SM**<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh assumes charge as Vice Chief of Army Staff |url=https://ddnews.gov.in/en/lt-gen-pushpendra-singh-assumes-charge-as-vice-chief-of-army-staff/ |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=ddnews.gov.in}}</ref>
|-
|[[Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (India)#Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy)|Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy)]]
|Lieutenant General [[Rajiv Ghai]], UYSM, AVSM, SM***<ref name=":22">{{cite web |date=2025-06-09 |title=Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai appointed Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy); will continue as DGMO |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/lt-gen-rajiv-ghai-appointed-deputy-chief-of-army-staff-strategy-will-continue-as-dgmo20250609144741/ |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date= |website=ANI}}</ref>
|-
|[[Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (India)#Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Information Systems and Coordination)|Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Information Systems and Coordination)]]
|Lieutenant General Rakesh Kapoor, AVSM, VSM<ref>{{cite web |date=2023-06-09 |title=Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor assumed the appointment of the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff DCOAS (IS & C) of Indian Army today. |url=https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1667071946247360512?cxt=HHwWgMC-scjG0KIuAAAA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609100100/https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1667071946247360512?cxt=HHwWgMC-scjG0KIuAAAA |archive-date=9 June 2023 |access-date=2023-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|[[Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (India)#Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance)|Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance)]]
|Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh, AVSM, VSM<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 November 2024 |title=Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh, assumed the appointment of Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development & Sustenance) today. |url=https://x.com/adgpi/status/1852295621480165526 |access-date=1 November 2024 |website=x.com (formerly known as Twitter)}}</ref>
|-
|[[Adjutant-General (India)|Adjutant General]]
|Lieutenant General VPS Kaushik, UYSM, YSM, SM<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-03 |title=Lieutenant General VPS Kaushik Appointed as the New Adjutant General of the Indian Army |url=https://www.ssbcrack.com/2024/08/lieutenant-general-vps-kaushik-appointed-as-the-new-adjutant-general-of-the-indian-army.html |access-date=2024-08-04 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|[[Military Secretary (India)|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<ref>{{Cite web |agency=ANI |date=2023-05-20 |title=Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla appointed as Indian Army's new MGS |url=https://theprint.in/india/lt-gen-amardeep-singh-aujla-appointed-as-indian-armys-new-mgs/1585847/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|[[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Engineer-in-Chief]]
|Lieutenant General Vikas Rohella, SM**<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=4 Oct 2025 |title=Lieutenant General Vikas Rohella has assumed the appointment of Engineer-in-Chief |url=https://x.com/adgpi/status/1974303101814517960 |access-date=4 Oct 2025 |website=x.com (formerly twitter)}}</ref>
|}

[[File:Indian Army Structure.png|thumb|upright=1.3|Indian Army Structure (click to enlarge)]]

The troops are organized into 40 Divisions in 14 Corps.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}} Army headquarters is located in the Indian capital, New Delhi, and it is under the overall command of the [[Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army|Chief of Army Staff]] (COAS).

=== Command structure ===
The army operates six operational commands and one training command.<ref name=IndianArmyStructure /> Each command is headed by [[General officer commanding|General Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] with the rank of [[Lieutenant General (India)|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 (India)|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. 

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Insignia !! Name!! Headquarters
!Army Commander!! Few of known Subordinate Unit(s)/ Formation(s)
|-
| [[File:Indian Amry Headquarters.png|75x75px]]|| '''Headquarters, Indian Army''' || [[New Delhi]]
||| [[50th Indian Parachute Brigade|50th Independent Parachute Brigade]] 
|-
| [[File:Central Command (India).png|75px]] || '''[[Central Command (India)|Central Command]]''' || [[Lucknow]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Anindya Sengupta]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-02 |title=Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta takes over as GOC-In-C, Central Command |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/lt-gen-anindya-sengupta-takes-over-as-goc-in-c-central-command/articleshow/111417554.cms |access-date=2024-07-02 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|[[6th Infantry Division (India)|6th Mountain Division]] 
|-
| [[File:Eastern Command (India).png|75px]] || '''[[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command]]''' ||[[Kolkata]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Ram Chander Tiwari]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-02 |title=Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari assumes charge of Eastern Command |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/lieutenant-general-ram-chander-tiwari-assumes-charge-of-eastern-command/articleshow/106492525.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-07-02 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>
|{{bulleted list
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[III Corps (India)|III Corps]] 
| 1 = [[2nd Infantry Division (India)|2nd Mountain Division]] –
| 2 = [[57th Mountain Division (India)|57th Mountain Division]] 
| 3 = [[56th Infantry Division (India)|56th Infantry Division]] 
}}

|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[IV Corps (India)|IV Corps]] 
| 1 = [[71st Infantry Division (India)|71st Mountain Division]] 
| 2 = [[5th Infantry Division (India)|5th Mountain Division]] 
| 3 = [[21st Infantry Division (India)|21st Mountain Division]] 
}}

|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[XXXIII Corps (India)|XXXIII Corps]]
| 1 = [[17th Infantry Division (India)|17th Mountain Division]] 
| 2 = [[20th Infantry Division (India)|20th Mountain Division]]
| 3 = [[27th Infantry Division (India)|27th Mountain Division]] 
}}

|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[XVII Corps (India)|XVII Corps]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-army-eye-on-china-india-to-raise-second-division-for-mountain-corps-4572493/|title=Eye on China, India to raise second division for mountain corps|date=17 March 2017|work=The Indian Express|access-date=17 March 2017|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317013100/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-army-eye-on-china-india-to-raise-second-division-for-mountain-corps-4572493/|archive-date=17 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-army-mountain-chinese-territory-general-dalbir-singh-arun-jaitley-budget/1/604583.html|title=The mountain is now a molehill|access-date=17 March 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207044822/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-army-mountain-chinese-territory-general-dalbir-singh-arun-jaitley-budget/1/604583.html|archive-date=7 December 2016}}</ref>
| 1 = 59th Infantry Division 
| 2 = 72 Infantry Division** 
}}
}}
|-
| [[File:Northern Command (India).png|75px]] || '''[[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]]''' || [[Udhampur]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Pratik Sharma]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-02 |title=Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma takes charge as Northern Army Commander |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/lieutenant-general-pratik-sharma-takes-charge-as-northern-army-commander-9977572/ |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
|
{{bulleted list
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[XIV Corps (India)|XIV Corps]]
| 1 = [[3rd Infantry Division (India)|3rd Infantry Division]]
| 2 = [[8th Infantry Division (India)|8th Mountain Division]] 
}}

|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[XV Corps (India)|XV Corps]] 
| 1 = [[19th Infantry Division (India)|19th Infantry Division]],
| 2 = [[28th Mountain Division (India)|28th Mountain Division]] 
}}

|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[XVI Corps (India)|XVI Corps]] 
| 1 = [[10th Infantry Division (India)|10th Infantry Division]] 
| 2 = [[25th Infantry Division (India)|25th Infantry Division]] 
| 3 = [[39th Infantry Division (India)|39th Infantry Division]] 
| 4 = 10 Artillery brigade
}}

|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[I Corps (India)|I Corps]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Philip |first=Snehesh Alex |date=2021-04-12 |title=These are the key changes Army has made in Ladakh to counter China in summer |url=https://theprint.in/defence/these-are-the-key-changes-army-has-made-in-ladakh-to-counter-china-in-summer/638253/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>
| 1 = [[4th Infantry Division (India)|4th Infantry Division]] 
| 2 = [[23rd Infantry Division (India)|23rd Infantry Division]] 
| 3 = [[33rd Armoured Division]] 
}}
}}
|-
| [[File: Southern Command (India).png|75px]] || '''[[Southern Command (India)|Southern Command]]''' || [[Pune]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Dhiraj Seth]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth assumes command of Southern Army |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-dhiraj-seth-assumes-command-of-pune-based-southern-army-9426241/ |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
|
{{bulleted list
| [[41 Artillery Division (India)|41st Artillery Division]]
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[XII Corps (India)|XII Corps]]
| 1 = 4th Armoured Brigade
| 2 = 340th Mechanised Brigade
| 3 = [[11th Infantry Division (India)|11th Infantry Division]]
| 4 = [[12th Infantry Division (India)|12th RAPID]]
}}

|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[XXI Corps (India)|XXI Corps]]
| 1 = [[31st Indian Armoured Division|31st Armoured Division]]
| 2 = [[36th Infantry Division (India)|36th RAPID]]
| 3 = [[54th Infantry Division (India)|54th Infantry Division]]
| 4 = 475th Engineering Brigade
}}

}}
|-
| [[File:South Western Command (India).png|75px]] || '''[[South Western Command (India)|South Western Command]]''' || [[Jaipur]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Manjinder Singh (general)|Manjinder Singh]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=Lt Gen Manjinder Singh assumes charge of South-Western Command |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/lt-gen-manjinder-singh-assumes-charge-of-south-western-command-1503315595.html |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=The Statesman |language=en}}</ref>
|
{{bulleted list
|[[42nd Artillery Division (India)|42nd Artillery Division]]
|
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[X Corps (India)|X Corps]]
| 1 = [[16th Infantry Division (India)|16th Infantry Division]]
| 2 = [[18th Infantry Division (India)|18th RAPID]]
| 3 = [[24th Infantry Division (India)|24th RAPID]]
| 4 = [[6th Armoured Brigade (India)|6th Independent Armoured Brigade]] 
| 5 = 615th Independent Air Defence Brigade
| 6 = 471st Engineering Brigade
}}

}}
|-
| [[File:Western Command (India).png|75px]] || '''[[Western Command (India)|Western Command]]''' ||[[Chandimandir Cantonment|Chandimandir]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Manoj Kumar Katiyar]]<ref name="Hindustan Times_Katiyar">{{cite news |title=Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar takes over as Western Command GOC-in-C |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/lieutenant-general-manoj-kumar-katiyar-assumes-command-as-general-officer-commanding-in-chief-of-western-command-101688239655406.html |access-date=22 July 2023 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=2 July 2023}}</ref>
|
{{bulleted list
|[[40th Artillery Division (India)|40th Artillery Division]]
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[II Corps (India)|II Corps]]
| 1 = [[1st Armoured Division (India)|1st Armoured Division]]
| 2 = [[14th Infantry Division (India)|14th RAPID]]
| 3 = [[22nd Infantry Division (India)|22nd Infantry Division]]
| 4 = 474th Engineering Brigade
| 5 = 612th Mechanised Independent Air Defence Brigade
}}

|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[IX Corps (India)|IX Corps]]
| 1 = [[26th Infantry Division (India)|26th Infantry Division]]
| 2 = [[29th Infantry Division (India)|29th Infantry Division]]
| 3 = [[2nd Armoured Brigade (India)|2nd Independent Armoured Brigade]]
| 4 = 3rd Independent Armoured Brigade
}}

|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[XI Corps (India)|XI Corps]]
| 1 = [[7th Infantry Division (India)|7th Infantry Division]]
| 2 = [[9th Infantry Division (India)|9th Infantry Division]]
| 3 = [[15th Infantry Division (India)|15th Infantry Division]]
| 4 = 23rd Armoured Brigade
| 5 = 55th Mechanised Brigade
}}

}}
|-
| [[File:Army Training Command (India).png|75x75px]]|| '''[[Army Training Command]]''' || [[Shimla]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Devendra Sharma (general)|Devendra Sharma]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lt General Devendra Sharma Takes Over As New Army Training Command Chief |url=https://english.jagran.com/india/lt-general-devendra-sharma-takes-over-as-new-army-training-command-chief-10170673 |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=English Jagran |language=en}}</ref>|| [[MITSD|Army Training Establishments]]
|}

=== Combat Arms ===
{{Main|List of regiments of the Indian Army}}
[[File:Cyclone Exercise 2023 between Indian Army and Egyptian Army Img1.jpg|alt=|thumb|Indian Army and Egyptian Army during Exercise Cyclone]]
[[File:Indian Army soldiers move into position while demonstrating a platoon-level ambush to U.S. Army paratroopers during Yudh Abhyas 2013.jpg|alt=|thumb|Indian Army soldiers move into position while demonstrating a platoon level ambush to U.S. Army paratroopers.]]
[[File:Indian Army Band.jpg|alt=|thumb|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|date=June 2017}}

[[File:Presidents' Body Guard.jpg|thumb|[[President's Bodyguard]] in summer ceremonial uniforms in [[Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi|Rashtrapati Bhavan]] courtyard during changing of the guard]]

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Name
!Director General
!Centre
|-
|[[Indian Army Armoured Corps|Armoured Corps]]
|
|The Armoured Corps Centre and School, [[Ahmednagar]]
|-
|[[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Regiment of Artillery]]
|Lieutenant General Adosh Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, SM<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1653000923126407168|title=Lieutenant General Adosh Kumar assumed appointment of the Director General of Artillery on 01 May 2023|date=2023-05-01|access-date=2023-07-19}}</ref>
|The School of Artillery, [[Devlali]] near [[Nasik]]
|-
|[[Corps of Army Air Defence (India)|Corps of Army Air Defence]]&nbsp;
|Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D'Cunha, SM<ref>{{Cite web |title=Goan Native Sumer Ivan D'Cunha Promoted To Lieutenant General |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/goa/goan-native-sumer-ivan-dcunha-promoted-to-lieutenant-general |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}}</ref>
|[[Gopalpur, Orissa|Gopalpur]], [[Odisha]].
|-
|[[Army Aviation Corps (India)|Army Aviation Corps]]
|Lieutenant General Vinod Nambiar, SM<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lt Gen Vinod Nambiar assumed the appointment of Director General & Colonel Commandant of Army Aviation - ADGPI Twitter |url=https://x.com/adgpi/status/1819327962493145333 |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=X (formerly twitter) |language=en}}</ref>
|Combat Army Aviation Training School, [[Nasik]].
|-
|[[Indian Army Corps of EME|Electronic and Mechanical Engineers]]
|Lieutenant General Rajiv Kumar Sahni, AVSM, VSM
|Military College of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Secunderabad
|-
|[[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]]
|Lieutenant General Vikas Rohella, SM**<ref name=":11" />
|[[College of Military Engineering, Pune]]<br />[[Madras Engineer Group]], [[Bangalore]]<br />[[Bengal Engineer Group]], [[Roorkee]]<br />[[Bombay Engineer Group]], [[Khadki]] near [[Pune]]
|-
|[[Indian Army Corps of Signals|Corps of Signals]]
|Lieutenant General Kanwar Vinod Kumar, AVSM<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-03 |title=With Lt General MU Nair heading to NDCS, Major General KV Kumar likely as next Signals Chief |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/with-lt-general-mu-nair-heading-to-ndcs-major-general-kv-kumar-likely-as-next-signals-chief/articleshow/101463960.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-07-16 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>
|[[Military College of Telecommunication Engineering]] (MCTE), [[Mhow]]<br />Two Signal Training Centres at [[Jabalpur]] and [[Goa]].
|-
|[[Infantry of the Indian Army|Infantry]]
|Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar, VSM<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 October 2024 |title=Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar assumed the appointment of Director General Infantry today. |url=https://x.com/adgpi/status/1841072848707768713 |website=x.com (formerly twitter)}}</ref>
|Multiple centres
|}

==== Armoured Corps ====
[[File:Kalyani and Tata Mine Protected Vehicles - Republic day parade 2024.jpg|thumb|Kalyani and Tata Mine Protected Vehicles]]

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

==== Mechanised Infantry ====

[[File:WHAP During Defence Expo 2018.jpg|thumb|[[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—[[Brigade of the Guards#Regimental Battalions|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).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deshpande |first=Smruti |date=2024-07-05 |title=India set to carry out trials for US-made Stryker combat vehicles in Ladakh & deserts |url=https://theprint.in/defence/india-set-to-carry-out-trials-for-us-made-stryker-combat-vehicles-in-ladakh-deserts/2160964/ |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Standard and Recce & Support Tracked battalions are equipped with [[BMP-2]] while the Wheeled ones are equipped with Jeep (mounted [[Anti-tank guided missile|ATGM]] launchers) and [[BRDM-2]]. The recce and support battalions also included 4 ATGM battalions (including 17 [[Brigade of the Guards|Guards]] battalion). These were later converted to R&S battalions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-12-03 |title=Indian Army and Anti-Tank Guided Missile |url=https://www.strategicfront.org/forums/threads/indian-army-and-anti-tank-guided-missile.102/ |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=Strategic Front Forum - Indian Defence and Strategic Forum |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Infantry ====
[[File:Indian Army personnel with Sig 716i.jpg|thumb|Indian soldier from [[XVI Corps (India)|White Knight Corps]] armed with a standard issued Sig 716i, 2021]]
[[File:Indian Army-Rajput regiment.jpeg|right|thumb|Soldiers of the [[Rajput Regiment]] during a [[Delhi Republic Day parade|Republic Day Parade]]]]
[[File:Indian Army-Sikh Light Infantry regiment.jpeg|right|thumb|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 [[Infantry of the Indian Army|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 (India)|Parachute Regiment]].

Given the rise in [[drone warfare]], the Indian Army included drone platoons to each of its infantry battalions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Shivani |date=2025-07-26 |title=Rudra brigades, Bhairav battalions to boost Army's capabilities in border areas |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rudra-bhairav-all-arms-brigades-to-boost-armys-on-ground-capabilities-in-border-areas-2761813-2025-07-26 |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Infantry regiments in the Indian Army<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Units/Infantry.html?layout=default |title=Infantry Regiments |publisher=Bharat Rakshak |year=2008 |access-date=24 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007164813/http://bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Units/Infantry.html?layout=default |archive-date=7 October 2013 }}</ref>
!Regiment
!Regimental Center
!Raised
|-
|[[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]]
|[[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]]
|1945
|-
|[[Punjab Regiment (India)|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, India|Lansdowne]], [[Uttarakhand]]
|1887
|-
|[[Kumaon Regiment]]
|[[Ranikhet]], Uttarakhand
|1813
|-
|[[Assam Regiment]]
|[[Shillong]], [[Meghalaya]]
|1941
|-
|[[Bihar Regiment]]
|[[Danapur Cantonment]], [[Bihar]]
|1941
|-
|[[Mahar Regiment]]
|[[Sagar, Madhya Pradesh|Sagar]], Madhya Pradesh
|1941
|-
|[[Jammu & Kashmir Rifles]]
|Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
|1821
|-
|[[Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry]]
|[[Avantipur]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|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 ====
[[File:The DRDO's Pinaka Launcher system gliding down the Rajpath during the Republic Day Parade - 2006, in New Delhi on January 26, 2006.jpg|alt=|thumb|[[Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher]]s 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/indian-artillery-inflicted-maximum-damage-to-pak-during-kargil_669140.html|title=Indian artillery inflicted maximum damage to Pak during Kargil|work=Zee News|date=19 November 2010|access-date=26 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031120505/http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/indian-artillery-inflicted-maximum-damage-to-pak-during-kargil_669140.html|archive-date=31 October 2014}}</ref> Over the years, five artillery officers have gone on to the Army's highest post as Chief of Army Staff.

[[File:Indian Army Aviation Corps and Air Defence Arty Joint Display Ex 2.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|[[Dhanush (howitzer)|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,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140321/DEFREG03/303210026 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140321145114/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140321/DEFREG03/303210026 |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 March 2014 |title=Upgraded Indian Howitzers Cleared for Summer Trials |last1=RAGHUVSNSHI |first1=VIVEK |date=21 March 2014 |website=defensenews.com |publisher=Gannett Government Media |access-date=21 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/inside-indias-defence-acquisition-mess/article3255466.ece |title=Inside India's defence acquisition mess |last1=Swami |first1=Praveen |date=29 March 2012 |work=The Hindu |access-date=4 January 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107015921/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/inside-indias-defence-acquisition-mess/article3255466.ece |archive-date=7 January 2014 }}</ref> the [[Regiment of Artillery]] is finally going ahead with procurement of brand new 130-mm and 155-mm guns.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/in-dhanush-indian-army-s-prayers-answered-544552|title=In 'Dhanush', Indian Army's Prayers Answered|work=NDTV.com|access-date=26 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002850/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/in-dhanush-indian-army-s-prayers-answered-544552|archive-date=3 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-defence-ministry-agrees-to-army-s-long-pending-demand-of-artillery-guns-2015130|title=Defence ministry agrees to army's long pending demand of artillery guns|work=dna|access-date=26 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141124222833/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-defence-ministry-agrees-to-army-s-long-pending-demand-of-artillery-guns-2015130|archive-date=24 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/defence/Indigenous-Artillery-Gun-Dhanush-to-be-Ready-This-Year/2014/03/18/article2116399.ece|title=Indigenous Artillery Gun 'Dhanush' to be Ready This Year|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=26 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122105735/http://www.newindianexpress.com/defence/Indigenous-Artillery-Gun-Dhanush-to-be-Ready-This-Year/2014/03/18/article2116399.ece|archive-date=22 November 2014}}</ref>  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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Indian Army to increase indigenous rocket regiments by 2022 |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/indian-army-to-increase-indigenous-rocket-regiments-by-2022-3144102.html |date=7 December 2016 |access-date=8 December 2016 |work=Firstpost |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208111922/http://www.firstpost.com/india/indian-army-to-increase-indigenous-rocket-regiments-by-2022-3144102.html |archive-date=8 December 2016 }}</ref>

==== Corps of Engineers ====

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 Engineer Group|Madras Sappers]], the [[Bengal Engineer Group|Bengal Sappers]], and the [[Bombay Engineer Group|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 ====

[[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.<ref>Brett-James, Antony ''Report my Signals'' London Hennel Locke 1948 – personal account of a British officer attached to Indian Army in Egypt and Burma</ref> On 15 February 2011, the corps celebrated the 100th anniversary of its raising.<ref>{{cite web |title=Corps Of Signals – Inaugural: Ceremony Centenary Year |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=57818 |date=15 February 2010 |publisher=Ministry of Defence |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222134930/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=57818 |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}</ref>

==== Army Aviation Corps ====

The [[Army Aviation Corps (India)|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 (India)|Lieutenant General]] at Army HQ in [[New Delhi]].

==== Corps of Army Air Defence ====
[[File:Akashteer C4ISR.png|thumb|During [[Operation Sindoor]], [[Akashteer]] played a central role in neutralizing drone and air attacks by Pakistan<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-16 |title=Akashteer: How India's indigenous 'Iron Dome' swatted Pakistan drones from the sky - all you need to know |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/akashteer-how-indias-indigenous-iron-dome-swatted-pakistan-drones-from-the-sky-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/121215783.cms |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Swastik |date=2025-05-16 |title=What Makes Akashteer a Breakthrough in India's Military Defence? |url=https://thedailyguardian.com/top-news/what-makes-akashteer-a-breakthrough-in-indias-military-defence/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=The Daily Guardian |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-16 |title=Akashteer neutralised barrage of Pakistani missiles, drones |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/akashteer-neutralised-barrage-of-pakistani-missiles-drones/articleshow/121217667.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>]]
The [[Corps of Army Air Defence]] (abbreviated AAD) is an active corps of the Indian Army, and a major combat formation tasked with the [[Anti-aircraft warfare|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.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Rishabh Mishra |title=21 Different Branches Of Indian Army That Make It Such An Efficient Defence Force |url=http://topyaps.com/branches-of-the-indian-army |date=24 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611002310/http://topyaps.com/branches-of-the-indian-army |archive-date=11 June 2016 |website=TopYaps |access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref>

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 ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name
!Director General
! Centre
|-
|[[Indian Army Service Corps|Army Service Corps]]
|Lieutenant General Mukesh Chadha, AVSM, SM, VSM<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 April 2025 |title=On taking over the reins of DGST and Sr Comdt of Army Service Corps, Lt Gen Mukesh Chadha, AVSM, SM, VSM, laid wreath and paid homage to Bravehearts at National War Memorial. |url=https://x.com/salute2soldier/status/1906968081060049189 |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=1 April 2025 |website=x.com (formerly twitter)}}</ref>
|[[Bangalore]]
|-
|[[Indian Army Medical Corps|Army Medical Corps]]
|Lieutenant General C G Muralidharan
|[[Lucknow]]/[[Pune]]
|-
|[[Indian Army Dental Corps|Army Dental Corps]]
|Lieutenant General Vineet Sharma, AVSM, VSM<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 Feb 2024 |title=Lt Gen Daljit Singh, DGAFMS & All Ranks of AFMS congratulate Lt Gen Vineet Sharma on assumption of the appointment of Director General Dental Services wef 01 Feb 2024 |url=https://x.com/dgafms_mod/status/1752919632032509986 |access-date=3 Oct 2025 |website=x.com (formerly twitter)}}</ref>
|[[Lucknow]]
|-
|[[Army Ordnance Corps (India)|Army Ordnance Corps]]
|Lieutenant General Deepak Ahuja
|[[Jabalpur]] and [[Secunderabad]] (HQ)
|-
|[[Indian Army Corps of EME|Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers]]
|Lieutenant General Rajiv Kumar Sahni, AVSM, VSM<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 Oct 2025 |title=Lieutenant General Rajiv Kumar Sahni, assumed the appointment of Director General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers and Colonel Commandant of the Corps of EME, today |url=https://x.com/adgpi/status/1973306564615278648 |access-date=1 Oct 2025 |website=x.com (formerly twitter)}}</ref>
|[[Secunderabad]]
|-
|[[Indian Army Remount and Veterinary Corps|Remount and Veterinary Corps]]
|
|[[Meerut]]
|-
|[[Army Education Corps (India)|Army Education Corps]]
| -
|[[Pachmarhi]]
|-
|[[Corps of Military Police (India)|Corps of Military Police]]
|
|[[Bangalore]]
|-
|[[Indian Army Pioneer Corps|Pioneer Corps]]
|
|[[Bangalore]]
|-
|[[Army Postal Service (India)|Army Postal Service Corps]]
| -
|[[Kamptee]] near Nagpur
|-
|[[Territorial Army (India)|Territorial Army]]
|
|[[New Delhi]]
|-
|[[Defence Security Corps]]
| -
|[[Kannur Cantonment]], Kerala
|-
|[[Directorate of Military Intelligence (India)|Intelligence Corps]]
| -
|[[Pune]]
|-
|[[Judge Advocate General's Department (India)|Judge Advocate General's Department]]
| -
|Institute of Military Law [[Kamptee]], [[Nagpur]]
|-
|[[Military Nursing Service (India)|Military Nursing Service]]
| -
|Pune and Lucknow
|-
|Human Rights Cell
| -
|Delhi
|}

==== Recruitment and training ====
{{Main|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, Mhow|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, Pune|College of Military Engineering]] (CME), in Pune.

The [[Army Training Command (India)|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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Anand Mahindra May Recruit Those Who Served In Army's New 3-Year 'Tour Of Duty' Scheme|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/anand-mahindra-may-recruit-those-who-served-in-armys-new-3-year-tour-of-duty-scheme-2229789|last=Som|first=Vishnu|date=16 May 2020|website=NDTV|access-date=16 May 2020}}</ref> The scheme is on a trial basis and will start with a test group of 100 officers and 1000 jawans.<ref>{{cite news|title=What is Tour of Duty in Indian Army – Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/jobs/what-is-tour-of-duty-in-indian-army/articleshow/75743441.cms|website=The Times of India|date=14 May 2020 |access-date=16 May 2020}}</ref>

===== Agnipath Scheme =====

{{Main|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 [[Indian Armed Forces|armed forces]].<ref name="IE explained">{{cite news |date=15 June 2022 |title=Explained: The Agnipath scheme for recruiting soldiers – what is it, how will it work? |publisher=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/agnipath-scheme-for-recruiting-soldiers-7969432/ }}</ref><ref name="Sushant Singh">{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Sushant |title='Agnipath': What is India's new military recruitment system? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/16/analysis-new-india-army-plan-may-have-devastating-consequences |work=www.aljazeera.com |date=16 June 2022 }}</ref> All recruits will be hired only for a four-year period. Personnel recruited under this system are to be called ''Agniveers'' ({{translation|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.
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable"
|+Recruitment in the Indian Army from 2015<ref>{{cite news |last1=De |first1=Abhishek |date=18 June 2022 |title=Why Is There So Much Anger Against Agnipath Scheme, Especially In North India? |url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/agnipath-scheme-yojana-protests-indian-army-recruitment-data-1537991 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625171951/https://news.abplive.com/news/india/agnipath-scheme-yojana-protests-indian-army-recruitment-data-1537991 |archive-date=25 June 2022 |access-date=25 June 2022 |work=news.abplive.com |language=en}}</ref>
!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.<ref name="DNA what is">{{Cite news |title=What is Agnipath scheme: Why Agniveer aspirants in Bihar protesting against it |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-agnipath-army-recruitment-mayawati-wants-agniveer-plan-revoked-why-bihar-aspirants-are-protesting-agnipath-2961072 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617092553/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-agnipath-army-recruitment-mayawati-wants-agniveer-plan-revoked-why-bihar-aspirants-are-protesting-agnipath-2961072 |archive-date=17 June 2022 |access-date=17 June 2022 |newspaper=Daily News & Analysis}}</ref> 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 of India|Parliament]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 17, 2022 |title=Put Agnipath on hold, take it up in Parliament: Opposition  |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/put-agnipath-on-hold-take-it-up-in-parliament-opposition/articleshow/92266506.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617105546/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/put-agnipath-on-hold-take-it-up-in-parliament-opposition/articleshow/92266506.cms |archive-date=17 June 2022 |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=The Times of India |language=en |agency=TNN}}</ref>

==== Intelligence ====
{{Main|Directorate of Military Intelligence (India)}}

The [[Directorate of Military Intelligence (India)|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}}, the MI has seen many of its roles taken away by the newly created [[National Technical Research Organisation]] and the [[Defence Intelligence Agency (India)|Defence Intelligence Agency]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bangladesh-indian-army-military-intelligence-directorate-sheikh-hasina/1/170880.html |title=How Indian Army's Military Intelligence Directorate works : Special Report&nbsp;– India Today |publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=28 January 2012 |access-date=4 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031141954/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bangladesh-indian-army-military-intelligence-directorate-sheikh-hasina/1/170880.html |archive-date=31 October 2012 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/state-govt-allots-land-for-ntro-in-borda-village/424811-3-236.html|title=State govt allots land for NTRO in Borda village|work=IBNLive|access-date=4 April 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017235147/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/state-govt-allots-land-for-ntro-in-borda-village/424811-3-236.html|archive-date=17 October 2013}}</ref>

==== STEAG ====
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 technology|quantum technologies]], [[artificial intelligence]], [[machine learning]], [[software-defined radio]]s (SDR), [[electronic exchange]]s, [[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|Information and Communications Technology]] (ICT) solutions, STEAG will do technical scouting and provide user interface assistance by maintaining and upgrading modern technologies.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-03-18 |title=What is STEAG, Army's new elite tech unit |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/what-is-steag-armys-new-elite-tech-unit/articleshow/108586853.cms |access-date=2024-03-22 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

=== Field formations ===
Below are the basic field formations of the Indian Army:

*[[Command (military formation)|Command]]: Indian Army has six operational commands and one training command. Each one is headed by a [[General Officer Commanding|general officer commanding-in-chief (GOC-in-C)]], known as the army commander, who is among the senior-most [[Lieutenant General (India)|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|general officer commanding (GOC)]], known as the corps commander, who holds the rank of [[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant General]].<ref name=IndianArmyStructure /> 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.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Richard Rinaldi|author2=Ravi Rikhye|title=Indian Army Order of Battle|year=2010|publisher=General Data LLC|isbn=978-0-9820541-7-8|url-status=live|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/assault-rifle-excalibur-drdo-dalbir-singh-indian-army-arde/1/449238.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228201511/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/assault-rifle-excalibur-drdo-dalbir-singh-indian-army-arde/1/449238.html|archive-date=28 February 2016}}</ref>
* [[Division (Military)|Division]]: Each division is headed by [[General Officer Commanding|GOC]] (division commander) in the rank of [[Major general (India)|major general]].<ref name=IndianArmyStructure /> It usually consists of three to four Brigades.<ref name=IndianArmyStructure /> Currently, the Indian Army has 40 Divisions{{citation needed|date=December 2022}} 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 [[battalion]]s along with various Support Elements.<ref name=IndianArmyStructure /> It is commanded by a brigade commander who is a [[Brigadier]],<ref name=IndianArmyStructure /> 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.<ref name=IndianArmyStructure /> Commanded by a battalion commander who is a [[Colonel]]<ref name=IndianArmyStructure /> and is the Infantry's main fighting unit. Every infantry battalion also possesses one [[Ghatak Platoon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/know-about-ghatak-commandos-the-invincible-special-forces-of-in-33442.html|title=Know about Ghatak commandos, the invincible Special Forces of India|date=10 February 2014|access-date=26 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015022350/http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/know-about-ghatak-commandos-the-invincible-special-forces-of-in-33442.html|archive-date=15 October 2014}}</ref>
* [[Company (military unit)|Company]]: Composed of three platoons.<ref name=IndianArmyStructure /> Commanded by a company commander who is a [[Major (rank)|major]] or [[lieutenant-colonel]].<ref name=IndianArmyStructure />
* [[Artillery battery|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.<ref name=IndianArmyStructure /> Commanded by a platoon commander who is a [[junior commissioned officer|JCO]].<ref name=IndianArmyStructure />
* [[Section (military unit)|Section]]: Smallest military outfit, with a strength of 10 personnel. Commanded by a section commander of the rank of [[Havaldar]].<ref name=IndianArmyStructure>{{cite web |title=Know Your Army: Structure |url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=1KRe3PlAUEofJY1khsmQiw==&ParentID=3MNO2EnY8feZhYb+f0sRuw== |website=Official Indian Army Web Portal |access-date=31 December 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224153537/http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=1KRe3PlAUEofJY1khsmQiw%3D%3D&ParentID=3MNO2EnY8feZhYb%2Bf0sRuw%3D%3D |archive-date=24 December 2016 }}</ref>

=== Indian Army forts ===
* [[Fort William, India|Fort William]], [[Kolkata]]: Garrison of [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Army Command]]
* [[Fort St George]], [[Chennai]]: Garrison of ATNK&K Army Area
* OD Fort, [[Allahabad]], Ordnance Depot

== Personnel ==
[[File:National War Memorial on the 21st anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, 2020.jpg|thumb|[[National War Memorial (India)|National War Memorial]] in honour of soldiers who laid down their lives for the nation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National War Memorial (Rashtriya Samar Smarak) |url=https://nationalwarmemorial.gov.in/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=nationalwarmemorial.gov.in}}</ref>]]

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|2017|7|1}}, 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).<ref name="News18">{{Cite news |title=20% Sailor Shortage in Navy, 15% Officer Posts Vacant In Army, Nirmala Sitharaman Tells Parliament |url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/20-sailor-shortage-in-navy-15-officer-posts-vacant-in-army-nirmala-sitharaman-tells-parliament-1616303.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227162941/http://www.news18.com/news/india/20-sailor-shortage-in-navy-15-officer-posts-vacant-in-army-nirmala-sitharaman-tells-parliament-1616303.html |archive-date=27 December 2017 |access-date=28 December 2017 |work=News18}}</ref><ref name="Economic Times-2017">{{Cite news |date=27 December 2017 |title=Armed forces facing shortage of nearly 60,000 personnel: Government |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/armed-forces-facing-shortage-of-nearly-60000-personnel-government/articleshow/62270482.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228202832/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/armed-forces-facing-shortage-of-nearly-60000-personnel-government/articleshow/62270482.cms |archive-date=28 December 2017 |access-date=28 December 2017 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-army-mountain-chinese-territory-general-dalbir-singh-arun-jaitley-budget/1/604583.html|title=The mountain is now a molehill|access-date=18 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119181816/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-army-mountain-chinese-territory-general-dalbir-singh-arun-jaitley-budget/1/604583.html|archive-date=19 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/oped/more-soldiers-but-weaker-army.html|title=More soldiers but weaker Army|website=dailypioneer.com|access-date=18 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119062512/http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/oped/more-soldiers-but-weaker-army.html|archive-date=19 November 2016}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7VNAzQEACAAJ|title=The Military Balance 2020|work=The International Institute of Strategic Studies|date=14 February 2020|publisher=Routledge, Chapman & Hall, Incorporated|isbn=978-0-367-46639-8|language=en}}</ref> 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 military|volunteer army]].<ref name="SinghCOAS">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/General-V-K-Singh-takes-over-as-new-Indian-Army-chief-/articleshow/5746561.cms|title=General V K Singh takes over as new Indian Army chief|date=31 March 2010|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=31 March 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228201511/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/assault-rifle-excalibur-drdo-dalbir-singh-indian-army-arde/1/449238.html|archive-date=28 February 2016}}</ref><ref>Page, Jeremy. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article3338199.ece "Comic starts adventure to find war heroes"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809042114/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article3338199.ece |date=9 August 2011 }}. ''[[The Times]]'' (9 February 2008).</ref>

=== Rank structure ===
{{Main|Army ranks and insignia of India}}
The ranks of the Indian Army for the most part follow the [[British Army]] tradition.
{{Pie chart
| thumb = right
| radius = 100
| caption = Strength of the Indian Army
| label1 = Officers
| value1 = 42913
| color1 = #ffd700
| label2 = Personnel below officer rank
| value2 = 1185146
| color2 = #6b4423|-
}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|COLSPAN=3| '''Strength of the Indian Army'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhatt |first=Ajay |date=1 April 2022 |title=Unstarred Ques no. 4929, Lok Sabha |url=https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/178/AU4929.pdf?source=pqals&utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=1 August 2025 |website=[[Parliament of India|Sansad]]}}</ref>
|-
! Pay level
! Rank
! Borne Strength (status as on 1st July, 2021)
|-
|colspan="3" style="background:#ffd700;" | '''Officers'''
|-
| 18
| [[General (India)|General]]
| 2
|-
| 17/16/15
| [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]]
| 80
|-
| 14
| [[Major general (India)|Major General]]
| 292
|-
| 13A
| [[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]]
| 1162
|-
| 13
| [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]]
| 5586
|-
| 12A
| [[Lieutenant colonel|Lieutenant Colonel]]
| 12620
|-
| 11
| [[Major (India)|Major]]
| 11885
|-
| 10B
| [[Captain (Army)|Captain]]
| 6637
|-
| 10
| [[Lieutenant]]
| 3218
|-
| {{NA}}
| Re-employed & Officers in select rank officers outside cadre 
|1574
|-
| '''Total'''
| 
| '''43056'''
|- 
|colspan="2" style="background:#660000;|'''Officers in [[Army Medical Corps (India)|AMC]] & [[Army Dental Corps (India)|ADC]]'''
|6647
|-
|colspan="2" style="background:#808080;"|'''Officers in [[Military Nursing Service|MNS]]'''
|3866
|-
| '''GRAND TOTAL'''
|
|'''53569'''
|}
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.<ref>{{Cite web |first= |title=PIB INDIA |url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=192200 }}</ref>

'''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}}
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/India}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 
| colspan=2| Honorary/<br />War time rank
| colspan=2| Held by the<br/>[[Chief of Defence Staff (India)|Chief of Defence Staff]] ([[:File:Rank insignia for India CDS.svg|with different insignia]])<br/>or the<br>[[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]]
|}

{{multiple image|caption_align=center|header_align=center|direction=vertical
 | image1 = An Indian Army paratrooper with the 50th Independent Para Brigade exits a CH47 Chinook helicopter during a partnered airborne training exercise with U.S. Army paratroopers in 2013.jpg
 | alt1 =
 | width1 = 240
 | image2 = An Indian Army paratrooper with the 50th Independent Para Brigade exits a CH47 Chinook helicopter in 2013.jpg
 | alt2 =
 | width2 = 240
 | footer = An Indian Army paratrooper with the [[50th Parachute Brigade (India)|50th Parachute Brigade]] jumps from a helicopter
}}

'''Other Ranks'''
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
|- style="background:#ccc;"
! Rank group|| colspan=10| Junior commissioned officers || colspan=18| Non commissioned officer || colspan=8| Enlisted
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/India}}
|}

=== Uniforms ===

To make themselves less of a target, the forces of the [[East India Company]] in India dyed their white summer [[tunic]]s 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 (colour)|dun]] for [[Service Dress (British Army)|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 (footwear)|spats]], medals, lanyards, and other achievements are added for ceremonial duties. A black version is worn by the Armoured Corps.<ref name="defencedirecteducation.com">{{Cite web |title=14 Different Uniforms of Indian Army |url=https://defencedirecteducation.com/2023/06/01/indian-army-uniforms/ |date=1 June 2023 |website=Defence Directed Education (DDE) |access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref>

The 2006 standard issued [[camouflage]] uniform of the Indian Army was the PC-DPM which consists of [[Camouflage Central-Europe|French Camouflage Europe Centrale]] featuring a forest camouflage pattern and is designed for use in woodland environments being printed on [[Battle Dress Uniform|BDU]]. The Desert variant issued in 2006 was based on the [[Camouflage Daguet|French Camouflage Daguet]] printed on [[Battle Dress Uniform|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 [[National Institute of Fashion Technology|NIFT]] has been adopted, while the uniform style is similar to the US Marine [[Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform|MMCUU]] uniform.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/indian-army-unveils-new-combat-uniform-361542|title = Army to adopt new combat fatigues next year|date = 15 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/indian-army-day-2022-indian-army-unveils-new-combat-uniform-with-a-digital-disruptive-pattern-10288961.html |title=Indian Army Day 2022: Indian Army unveils new combat uniform with a digital disruptive pattern |publisher=Firstpost.com |date=15 January 2022 |access-date=19 January 2022}}</ref>

The new [[camouflage]] pattern retains the mix of colours including [[Olive (color)|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 [[terrain]]s that the soldiers are posted in.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-18 |title=Lighter fabric to unique pattern, here's how NIFT team created Indian Army's new combat uniform |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/indian-army-new-combat-uniform-nift-changes-fabric-pattern-weight-design-7727910/ |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

The new uniform, unlike the old one, has a [[Army Combat Shirt|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 [[pleat]]s 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 (tack)|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 [[barcode]]d and [[QR code]]d to maintain their uniqueness and will be available only through the ordnance chain or military canteens.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-04 |title=New Army Combat Uniforms for Troops Only Through Fixed Channels, Fabric Won't Be Sold in Open Market |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/new-army-combat-uniforms-for-troops-only-through-fixed-channels-fabric-wont-be-sold-in-open-market-4733819.html |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> 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 badge]]s, 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.

<gallery>
File:WLUS 131.jpg|Indian Army officer in green service uniform
File:IndianArmyDelhi.JPG|Soldiers of the [[Assam Regiment]] wearing the Angola winter shirt.
File:Indian Army Winter Camouflage 2022 - New.jpg|Winter camouflage adopted in 2022
File:WLUS 40.jpg|Indian Army Para-Commando wearing the PC-DPM based on a combination of French [[Camouflage Central-Europe|French Camouflage Europe Centrale]] printed on US-style [[Battle Dress Uniform|BDU]]
File:NIFT camo of Northern Command IA.jpg|Senior officer from Northern Command wearing the new NIFT Camouflage
File:Indian Army in New uniform.jpg|Indian Army personnel wearing the new uniform designed by [[National Institute of Fashion Technology|NIFT]]
File:14MARATHAJawan.jpg|14th Maratha jawan in ceremonial version of the service dress
</gallery>

=== Medals and awards ===
{{Main|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 (military decoration)|Ashoka Chakra]], [[Kirti Chakra]], and [[Shaurya Chakra]].

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

=== Women ===
[[File:Indian Armed Forces - Republic day parade 2024.jpg|thumb|All Women contingents from the three services during Republic day parade 2024]]
{{Main|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.<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/indian-army-must-stop-its-discrimination-against-military-nurses/story-VmhPT6cKj3GW3M3KjCterK.html Indian Army must stop its discrimination against military nurses] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214073109/http://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/indian-army-must-stop-its-discrimination-against-military-nurses/story-VmhPT6cKj3GW3M3KjCterK.html |date=14 December 2017 }}, [[Hindustan Times]], 13 December 2017.</ref> In 1992, the Indian Army began inducting women officers in non-medical roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://joinindianarmy.nic.in/bravo/entry-schemes-women.htm|title=Entry Schemes Women : Officers Selection – Join Indian Army|website=joinindianarmy.nic.in|access-date=21 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225175117/http://joinindianarmy.nic.in/Bravo/entry-schemes-women.htm|archive-date=25 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Agnipath Recruiting Scheme ===

The [[Agnipath Scheme]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Agniveer Yojana – MyGov.in |url=https://www.mygov.in/campaigns/agniveer/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=MyGov.in |date=14 June 2022 |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615175330/https://www.mygov.in/campaigns/agniveer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> (also spelled '''Agneepath Scheme''') ({{langx|hi|Agnīpath Yojanā}}, {{translation|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 [[Indian Armed Forces|armed forces]].<ref name="IE explained" /><section begin="Lead" /> All recruits will be hired only for a four-year period however 25% will be eligible for advancement into career status.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://agneepathscheme.in/|title=Agneepath Scheme Details, Apply Online, Age Limit, Salary, Eligibility, etc. - Agneepath Scheme|date=19 July 2024|access-date=31 July 2024}}</ref> Personnel recruited under this system are to be called ''Agniveers'' ({{translation|Fire-Warriors}}), which will be a new military rank.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Rahul |date=2022-06-14 |title=Recruitment model for soldiers to create an 'Agniveer' rank |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/recruitment-model-for-soldiers-to-create-an-agniveer-rank-101655145186052.html |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Sushant Singh" /> The introduction of the scheme has been criticised for lack of consultation and public debate.<ref name="Sushant Singh" /> Initial training will last six months and the remaining three years and six months will be service time.<ref>The Indian Expresshttps://agneepathscheme.in/</ref>

== Recruitment and Training==
=== Officers (Permanent commission) ===
==== National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination ====
[[File:Sudan Block.jpg|thumb|NDA is the premier officer training academy for the army]]
The [[National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination|NDA/NA]] is the premier entry route to join the army as Permanent Commission officers. It is open to unmarried candidates aged 16½–19½ years, NDA/NA selects students after 10+2, irrespective of stream for army. The NDA/NA exam is held twice a year, consisting of [[Mathematics]] and General Ability. Candidates who clear the cutoff undergo a five-day [[Services Selection Board]] (SSB) interview, followed by a medical examination. The final merit determines the selection. The examination is highly competitive as approximately 600,000 candidates apply for roughly 800 vacancies each year.

Training is conducted in two phases. First, cadets spend three years at [[National Defence Academy]], earning a [[Jawaharlal Nehru University]] affiliated degree in [[Bachelor of Science|B.Sc.]] or [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] while undergoing basic military training. After graduation, Army cadets move to the [[Indian Military Academy]] (IMA), Dehradun for one year of advanced army training focused on leadership and field warfare.

On completion, cadets are commissioned as Lieutenants. Based on merit and preference, they are allotted to infantry (such as [[Rajputana Rifles]], [[Dogra Regiment]], etc.), armoured corps (such as [[17th Horse (Poona Horse)|Poona Horse]], [[87th Armoured Regiment (India)|87th Armoured Regiment]], etc.), [[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Regiment of Artillery]], [[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]], [[Indian Army Corps of Signals|Corps of Signals]], etc.

==== Combined Defence Services Examination (IMA) ====
[[File:Indian Military Academy.jpg|thumb|The IMA is the sole PC general duty training academy for officers]]
The [[Combined Defence Services Examination]] (CDSE) is conducted for graduates to join the army as Permanent Commission officers. It is conducted by UPSC twice a year (April and September), CDSE allows entry into the Indian Military Academy (IMA) for the Army.

Candidates applying must be unmarried Indian male citizens, aged 19–24 years for IMA entry. A bachelor's degree in any stream is required for the Army, along with medical fitness standards similar to NDA, with strict requirements for vision, height, and general health.
The selected candidates for the army join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, for 12 months of pre-commission training. This includes advanced weapon training, field tactics, leadership development, and physical conditioning. After the successful completion of the training, the candidate is commissioned as a Lieutenant in the army.

==== Medical officers (AFMC)====
[[File:AFMC Main Building.jpg|thumb|The AFMC is the only permanent commission officers (medical) training academy]]
The [[Armed Forces Medical College]] (AFMC) is India's premier military medical institution and the primary pathway to join the army as a medical officer (PC). It trains qualified [[physicians]] for the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), which serves the Army, [[Indian Navy|Navy]], and [[Indian Air Force|Air Force]]. AFMC offers a fully funded MBBS program, after which graduates are commissioned as officers in the [[Army Medical Corps]] (AMC). The candidate applying must be an unmarried Indian citizen, aged 17 to 24 years. The candidate must have opted for [[Physics]], [[Chemistry]], [[Biology]] or [[Biotechnology]] and [[English language|English]] in 10+2 with minimum 60% aggregate (50% minimum in each subject).

The selection is based shortlisting of candidates based on [[National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)|National Eligibility cum Entrance Test]] scores. Then shortlisted candidates attend a ToELR-WT test (Test of English Language, Comprehension, Logic, and Reasoning + Written Test) followed by Psychological Assessment, Interview Board, and document verification, and medical tests. The final merit list is preepared using NEET scores, ToELR-WT marks, and interview performance.

After the selection, the candidate obtains a [[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery]] (MBBS) undergraduate degree from AFMC, along with basic military training. After completion of the course graduates are directly commissioned as Captains in the Army Medical Corps with a Permanent Commission. Around 150 seats are available every year in the AFMC, and 2.5 to 3 lakh NEET aspirants apply annually for these limited seats, making it the most competitive and academically challenging course in the [[Indian Armed Forces]].

==== Technical Entry Scheme (TES) ====
[[File:The fort wall of OTA Gaya parade ground.jpg|thumb|OTA, Gaya: Training academy engineering cadets, selected through TES]]
[[File:CME Pune.png|thumb|CME Pune, the professional training academy for the TES cadets]]
The Technical entry scheme (TES) is a specialized route for 10+2, students who have opted Physics, Chemistry and Maths as their main subjects; to join the Army as engineering officers in technical branches. Candidates applying for TES shall be unmarried male indian citizens, aged 16½ to 19½ years, and must have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with at least 60% aggregate, and appeared in [[Joint Entrance Examination - Main]] with 85-90 percentile score. Unlike NDA or CDSE, TES has no written exam and selection is based on academic performance, SSB evaluation and final medical tests.

TES offers a 5-year integrated program, combining engineering education and military training:

In the first three years, academic engineering training at one of the Army's technical institutes like [[College of Military Engineering, Pune|College of Military Engineering]], MCEME, Secunderabad, or MCTE, Mhow. Cadets also undergo basic military training, discipline, and physical conditioning. In the last few years the cadets are trained at Officers Training Academy, Gaya. On successful completion of training, cadets are awarded a [[Bachelor of Technology|B.Tech]] degree in their engineering stream.

==== Technical Graduate Course====
The Technical Graduate Course (TGC) is a direct entry scheme for engineering graduates to join the army as engineering officers in technical branches. It is available for candidates who have completed or are in the final year of their B.E./B.Tech and want to serve in core technical roles like Engineers, Signals, or EME. The candidate must be an unmarried male candidate, aged 20 to 27 years at the commencement of the course and must have completed or be in the final year of an engineering degree in a stream notified in the TGC recruitment notification (e.g., [[Civil engineering|Civil]], [[Mechanical engineering|Mechanical]], [[Electronic engineering|Electronic]], [[Computer science engineering|Computer Science]]). Around 30–40 seats, distributed across engineering streams like Civil, Mechanical, ECE, CSE, etc are available each year, and the interview process is similar to TES.

=== Officers (SSC)===
=== Enlisted (Agnipath)===
==== Soldier (Gorkha — General Duty) ====
Since the introduction of the [[Agnipath Scheme]] in 2022, India has shifted to inducting Gorkha troops exclusively through this new recruitment system. However, the [[Government of Nepal]] strongly opposed the scheme, stating that its four-year short-term service contracts and absence of long-term benefits were inconsistent with the principles of the historic 1947 [[Britain–India–Nepal Tripartite Agreement]], which has governed the recruitment of Gorkhas for decades. As a result, Nepal has refused to allow its citizens to participate in Agnipath recruitment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What's the Fate of the Gurkhas in Agnipath? Here's Everything You Need to Know! |url=https://english.nepalnews.com/s/explainers/whats-the-fate-of-the-gurkhas-in-agnipath-heres-everything-you-need-to-know/ |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=Nepal News |language=en}}</ref>

This deadlock has led to a complete halt in the recruitment of [[Gurkha|Nepali Gorkhas]] for nearly five years, creating deep uncertainty for thousands of aspiring candidates and casting doubt on the future of the legendary Gorkha regiments, which have been an integral part of the army for over seven decades.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shankar |first=Priyanka |title=Why Nepal's Gurkha fighters want to join India's army again |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/12/30/why-nepals-gurkha-fighters-want-to-join-indias-army-again |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>

Traditionally, India recruits Gorkha soldiers who are citizens of Nepal under the framework of the Tripartite Agreement. To qualify, a candidate shall be aged between 17.3 to 21 years and must have successfully completed Class 10 and hold a matriculation certificate from a recognized educational board. Following this, the candidate must undergo a rigorous physical and medical examination, demonstrating excellent physical fitness, 6/6 eyesight, and being completely free of deformities, disorders, or diseases that could impair service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-02 |title=Agniveer Physical Eligibility 2024: Check Height, Chest, Other Criteria For Army, Air Force, And Navy |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/articles/agniveer-physical-eligibility-2024-check-chest-height-other-criteria-for-army-air-force-and-navy-1704198033-1 |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=Jagranjosh.com |language=en}}</ref>

Gorkha candidates are provided special height relaxation compared to the general requirements for the Western Plains region. As per current standards, the minimum height required for Gorkha recruits is 157 centimetres, with a minimum weight of 48 kilograms and a chest measurement of 77 centimetres (with a 5 cm expansion).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Gorkha Army |url=https://bgrt.com.np/Classes/Indian-Gorkha-Army |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=British Gurkha Recruitment}}</ref>

=== Enlisted (Regular cadre)===

== Equipment ==
{{Main|List of equipment of the Indian Army|List of active Indian military aircraft}}
[[File:Akash Indian Army.jpg|right|thumb|[[Akash (missile)|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)|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/sites/default/files/technology-focus-documrnt/TF_Oct_2021.pdf|title=TF_Oct_2021.pdf|access-date=6 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ddpdoo.gov.in/unit/pages/RFI/our-history1|title=Our History|access-date=6 June 2024}}</ref>

In 2014, Army chief [[Bikram Singh (general)|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-running-low-on-ammunation/articleshow/32569909.cms |title=Army running low on ammunition |last1=Pandit |first1=Rajat |date=24 March 2014 |website=indiatimes.com |publisher=TNN |access-date=24 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326030657/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-running-low-on-ammunation/articleshow/32569909.cms |archive-date=26 March 2014 }}</ref>

[[File:Indian Army Rudra MK-IV.jpg|alt=|thumb|[[HAL Rudra]] ]]

=== Aircraft ===
The [[Army Aviation Corps (India)|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 {{convert|750|kg|lb}} to heights of {{convert|23000|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} 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 [[Aérospatiale Alouette III|Chetaks]] and [[Aérospatiale Alouette II|Cheetahs]], some of which were deployed more than three decades ago.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/hal-developing-light-choppers-for-highaltitude-operations/article5350865.ece|title=HAL developing light choppers for high-altitude operations|agency=PTI|work=The Hindu Business Line|access-date=26 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321164317/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/hal-developing-light-choppers-for-highaltitude-operations/article5350865.ece|archive-date=21 March 2014}}</ref>

On 13 October 2012, the defence minister gave control of attack helicopters to the Indian Army, which had formerly rested the Indian Air force.<ref>{{cite news |title=Army to get attack helicopters: Defence Ministry |author=Gautam Datt |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/army-to-get-attack-helicopters-defence-ministry/1/224587.html |newspaper=Mail Today (epaper) |date=13 October 2012 |access-date=30 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201074804/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/army-to-get-attack-helicopters-defence-ministry/1/224587.html |archive-date=1 December 2012 }}</ref>

=== Future developments ===
{{Main|List of equipment of the Indian Army#Future procurement and projects|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 suit|NBC]] environment.<ref name="dns9j13">{{cite news|title=DRDO's F-INSAS programme to be ready in two years |url=http://www.defencenews.in/defence-news-internal.asp?get=new&id=1645 |access-date=10 July 2013 |newspaper=Defence News |date=9 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212084347/http://www.defencenews.in/defence-news-internal.asp?get=new&id=1645 |archive-date=12 December 2013 }}</ref>
*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.<ref>Pandit, Rajat. [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-to-raise-2-mountain-units-to-counter-Pak-China/articleshow/2762650.cms "Army to raise 2 mountain units to counter Pak, China"] . ''[[The Times of India]]'', 7 February 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2010.</ref> 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 (India)|Eastern Command]], was to have three brigades&nbsp;– two armed with 155&nbsp;mm howitzers and one with the Russian "Smerch" and indigenous "Pinaka" multiple-launch rocket systems.<ref>Rajat Pandit, [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Eye-on-China-is-India-adding-muscle-on-East/articleshow/4725693.cms Eye on China, is India adding muscle on East?]  2 2009 July 0325hrs</ref>
*In February 2024, reports emerged for the formation of a new Corps under the [[Central Command (India)|Central Command]] for deployment along [[Line of Actual Control]] (LAC).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-20 |title=Army to set up new corps for operations along LAC |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/army-to-set-up-new-corps-for-ops-along-lac-9170158/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The [[XVIIII Corps (India)|XVIII Corps]] would 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'.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Philip |first=Snehesh Alex |date=2024-02-20 |title=Army's Central Command gets 'combatised' to counter China, new corps raised |url=https://theprint.in/defence/armys-central-command-gets-combatised-to-counter-china-new-corps-raised/1972373/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Indian Army to set up new corps for operations along LAC |url=https://myind.net/Home/viewArticle/indian-army-to-set-up-new-corps-for-operations-along-lac |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Indian Army to set up new corps for operations along LAC}}</ref> This move is in a proposal stage in the Army and will be forwarded to the Ministry of Defence for clearance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-25 |title=Indian Army Mulls XVIII Corps Formation for Enhanced Border Security with China |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-indian-army-mulls-xviii-corps-formation-for-enhanced-border-security-with-china-3404721/ |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref>
*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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Army plans aggressor red team, test-bed units in modernisation drive |url=https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/indian-army-plans-aggressor-red-team-test-bed-units-in-modernisation-drive-124040500979_1.html |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=www.business-standard.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Force modernisation and reorganisation ==
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 (India)|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]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mallick |first=Ashesh |date=2025-07-26 |title='New All-Arms Brigades Being Formed': Army Chief Announces 'Rudra' On Kargil Vijay Diwas |url=https://www.news18.com/india/new-all-arms-brigades-being-formed-army-chief-announces-rudra-on-kargil-vijay-diwas-9464820.html |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Banerjee |first=Ajay |date=2025-07-28 |title='Rudra' to power up brigades for future wars |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/rudra-to-power-up-brigades-for-future-wars/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-26 |title=India's new strike power: Army Chief announces 'Rudra Brigade' for multi-domain combat readiness |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/indias-new-strike-power-army-chief-announces-rudra-brigade-for-multi-domain-combat-readiness-1503462826.html |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=The Statesman |language=en}}</ref> Additionally, he also announced that each infantry battalion is also equipped with drone platoons.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title='Shaktiban regiment' of Indian Army: What it is? What will it do? |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/defence/2025/07/26/shaktiban-regiment-of-indian-army-what-it-is-what-will-it-do.html |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref> In multi-domain battlefields dominated by information, digitization, automation, precision, and [[AI]], Rudra and Bhairav are built for quick and decisive action.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mohan |first=Vijay |date=2025-07-27 |title=Explainer: High on mobility and firepower, Rudra brigades align with post-Op Sindoor strategy |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/defence/explainer-high-on-mobility-and-firepower-rudra-brigades-align-with-post-op-sindoor-strategy/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref> 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”.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2025-07-27 |title=All about Indian Army's new Rudra brigade and Bhairav Commando units |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/all-about-indian-armys-new-rudra-brigade-and-bhairav-commando-units-101753585802213.html |access-date=2025-07-27 |work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref>

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.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Mayank |date=2025-08-11 |title=Bhairav, Rudra units to boost combat power |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Aug/11/bhairav-rudra-units-to-boost-combat-power |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Army to station specialised 'Rudra' brigades in eastern Ladakh, Sikkim |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/army-to-station-specialised-rudra-brigades-in-eastern-ladakh-sikkim/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref>

On 22 October, Director General (Infantry), [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Ajay Kumar, announced the completion of raising 380 'Ashni' specialist drone platoons with each of the 380 infantry batallions. Each platoon employs 20–25 soldiers and is equipped with [[loitering munitions]] and drones to perform [[intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance]] (ISR) roles. The Army is procuring six types of loitering munitions and four types of ISR drones for the infantry.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Rahul |date=2025-10-22 |title=New weapons, specialist units to boost army’s capabilities |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/new-weapons-specialist-units-to-boost-army-s-capabilities-101761147308953.html |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite news |date=2025-10-23 |title=Army transforming its 382 infantry battalions with new weapons & drone platoons |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-transforming-its-382-infantry-battalions-with-new-weapons-drone-platoons/articleshow/124745155.cms |access-date=2025-10-24 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

=== Rudra all-arms brigades ===
The concept of [[combined arms]] operations was first demonstrated with the Indian Army in a field exercises in Punjab in 2013.<ref name=":1" /> The idea was later reintroduced in 2018 by the then CoAS General [[Bipin Rawat]] as Integrated Battle Group (IBG).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-11 |title=Integrated Battle Groups |work=Current Affairs |url=https://www.nextias.com/ca/current-affairs/11-05-2022/integrated-battle-groups |access-date=2024-11-30 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Integrated Battle Groups would be Brigade-sized, self-sufficient [[combined arms]] formations commanded by an officer of the rank [[Major general (India)|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 (India)|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 [[Command (military formation)|Commands]]–[[Corps]]–[[Division (military)|Divisions]]–[[Brigade|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 of the Indian Army|infantry]], [[Indian Army Armoured Corps|armoured]], [[Regiment of Artillery (India)|artillery]] and [[Corps of Army Air Defence|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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Peri |first=Dinakar |date=2019-07-28 |title=Army's first Integrated Battle Groups to be structured by end of next month |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/armys-first-integrated-battle-groups-to-be-structured-by-end-of-next-month/article28739575.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130085046/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/armys-first-integrated-battle-groups-to-be-structured-by-end-of-next-month/article28739575.ece/amp |archive-date=2024-11-30 |access-date=2024-11-30 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

In October 2019, the 59 Infantry Division of the [[XVII Corps (India)|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.<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |author=Philip |first=Snehesh |date=2019-09-11 |title=Army to debut its Mountain Strike Corps next month, at HimVijay exercise in Arunachal |url=https://theprint.in/defence/army-to-debut-its-mountain-strike-corps-next-month-at-himvijay-exercise-in-arunachal/289902/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130114335/https://theprint.in/defence/army-to-debut-its-mountain-strike-corps-next-month-at-himvijay-exercise-in-arunachal/289902/ |archive-date=2024-11-30 |access-date=2020-12-20 |work=ThePrint}}</ref> 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 Command (India)|Integrated Theatre Commands]] to integrate the Armed Forces into larger theatres.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Mayank |date=2022-05-11 |title=Integrated Battle Groups are in final stage, says Army Chief |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/May/10/integrated-battle-groups-are-in-final-stage-says-army-chief-2452166.html |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Peri |first=Dinakar |date=2022-05-10 |title=Consultations on creation of Integrated Battle Groups being compiled: Army Chief Gen. Pande |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/consultations-on-creation-of-integrated-battle-groups-being-compiled-army-chief-gen-pande/article65401706.ece#amp_tf=From%20%251$s&aoh=17329345679323&referrer=https://www.google.com&ampshare=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/consultations-on-creation-of-integrated-battle-groups-being-compiled-army-chief-gen-pande/article65401706.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241130085029/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/consultations-on-creation-of-integrated-battle-groups-being-compiled-army-chief-gen-pande/article65401706.ece%23amp_tf=From%20%251$s&aoh=17329345679323&referrer=https://www.google.com&ampshare=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/consultations-on-creation-of-integrated-battle-groups-being-compiled-army-chief-gen-pande/article65401706.ece |archive-date=2024-11-30 |access-date=2024-11-30 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

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 of India|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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-06-10 |title=New government to decide on Army's integrated battle group plan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/new-government-to-decide-on-armys-integrated-battle-group-plan/articleshow/110854869.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130115531/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/new-government-to-decide-on-armys-integrated-battle-group-plan/articleshow/110854869.cms |archive-date=2024-11-30 |access-date=2024-11-30 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-05 |title=India Gears Up for Battle-Ready Integrated Groups Along Its Borders |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-india-gears-up-for-battle-ready-integrated-groups-along-its-borders-3656711/ |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-05 |title=India to deploy Integrated Battle Groups to counter China days after border truce |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-deploy-integrated-battle-groups-counter-china-military-presence-border-breakthrough-2628459-2024-11-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130120355/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-deploy-integrated-battle-groups-counter-china-military-presence-border-breakthrough-2628459-2024-11-05 |archive-date=2024-11-30 |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

During the annual [[press conference]] on 15 January 2025, on the occasion of the [[Army Day (India)|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 (India)|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Integrated Battle Groups to be up by 2025 or never: Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/defence/2025/01/13/integrated-battle-groups-to-be-up-by-2025-or-never-ever-army-chief.html |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Mayank |date=2025-01-13 |title=Indian Army's Integrated Battle Groups await final approval: General Upendra Dwivedi |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Jan/13/indian-armys-integrated-battle-groups-await-final-approval-general-upendra-dwivedi |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

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), [[Para (Special Forces)|Special Forces]] as well as support elements like [[Regiment of Artillery (India)|artillery]], [[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|engineers]], [[Corps of Army Air Defence|air defence]], [[Indian Army Corps of Signals|electronic warfare]] and UAVs ([[unmanned aerial vehicles]]). The formations will receive specially prepared logistics for support and combat support.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Shivani |date=2025-07-26 |title=Rudra brigades, Bhairav battalions to boost Army's capabilities in border areas |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rudra-bhairav-all-arms-brigades-to-boost-armys-on-ground-capabilities-in-border-areas-2761813-2025-07-26 |access-date=2025-08-02 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=2025-07-28 |title=Fast, furious, and future-ready: Why Indian Army's Rudra Brigade could be a game-changer against China and Pakistan |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/fast-furious-and-future-ready-why-indian-armys-rudra-brigade-could-be-a-game-changer-against-china-and-pakistan/articleshow/122944381.cms |access-date=2025-08-02 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>

Though, the design of the Rudra brigades is based on the concept of Integrated Battle Groups, there are few but major modifications. Firstly, while an IBG was conceptualised to be a scaled-down Division, the Rudra brigades are not so but are slightly larger than standard brigades. Secondly, IBGs were envisioned to be commanded by a Major General, eliminating the rank of [[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]]. However, the Rudra brigades will have a Brigadier- ranked [[commanding officer]].<ref name=":9" />

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.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" />

=== Bhairav Light Commando Battalions ===
Bhairav Light Commando Battalions are another type of formation that is being raised by the Indian Army. The battalion has a strength of 250 personnel, including 78 officers, which is much lesser than that of a standard infantry battalion or a [[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]] battalion which include 800 and 620 soldiers each.<ref name=":10" /> These agile and compact battalions, evolving from the [[Ghatak Platoon]] concept,<ref name=":1" /> are designed as [[shock troops]] to undertake [[clandestine missions]] or deliver surprise strikes under high-risk conditions the enemy lines to inflict maximum damage. The units are being raised under the long-standing “son of the soil” concept which is used by the Indian Army while raising battalions. Under this concept, the Army Chief has tasked the individual Infantry Regimental Centres to select, train, and depute personnel from their respective units, which will be affiliated with and operate alongside specific corps. The selected soldiers will be trained for 2–3 months for their first phase under the Regimental Centre, followed by a month-long second phase of advanced training under the aegis of [[Special forces of India|Special Forces]] training centres of the troops' respective deployment [[Integrated Theatre Command (India)|theatres]]. These units 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.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Rana |first=Javaria |date=2025-08-25 |title=Army ramps up two-front readiness, 5 Bhairav Commando units ready for frontline deployment |url=https://theprint.in/defence/army-ramps-up-two-front-readiness-5-bhairav-commando-units-ready-for-frontline-deployment/2727902/ |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":10" />

As per a report on 14 August, the Indian Army plans to have five such battalions by the end of 31 October. From the five battalions, three of the battalions will be assigned to the [[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]] with one each for [[XIV Corps (India)|XIV Corps]], [[XV Corps (India)|XV Corps]] and [[XVI Corps (India)|XVI Corps]], while one each will be deployed in the [[Western Command (India)|Western]] and the [[Eastern Command (India)|Northeastern sectors]]. The battalions will be tasked for roles like cross-border interdiction, [[reconnaissance]] and disruption of adversary positions. Ultimately, 23 Bhairav Battalions are planned to be raised.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite news |date=2025-08-30 |title=Bhairav commandos to add muscle to Army by October 31 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bhairav-commandos-to-add-muscle-to-army-by-october-31/articleshow/123592968.cms |access-date=2025-09-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

As of 22 October, the service will raise 25 Bhairav battalions within six months. Meanwhile, five battalions, as earlier planned, have already been deployed<ref name=":12" /> and their training programme will culminate on 30 October, following which, the battalions will be operationalised.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-10-22 |title=Army equips 380 infantry battalions with 'Ashney' drone platoons |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/army-equips-380-infantry-battalions-with-ashney-drone-platoons/articleshow/124744881.cms |access-date=2025-10-27 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> Additionally, four additional battalions are being raised.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-10-23 |title=Bhairav Battalions: Inside India’s ‘lean and mean’ elite Army units that can launch surprise attacks on the enemy |url=https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/bhairav-battalion-indian-army-lean-mean-elite-unit-enemy-strikes-13944329.html |access-date=2025-10-23 |work=Firstpost}}</ref><ref name=":13" />

List of Corps equipped with Bhariav battalions: —<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":9" />

* [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command]]
** [[III Corps (India)|III Corps]]
* [[Southern Command (India)|Southern Command]]
** [[XII Corps (India)|XII Corps]]
* [[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]]
** [[XIV Corps (India)|XIV Corps]]
** [[XV Corps (India)|XV Corps]]
** [[XVI Corps (India)|XVI Corps]]

=== Shaktibaan regiments and Divyastra batteries ===
The Indian Army will also reorganise the [[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Artillery Regiments]] to adapt with modern battlefield needs. 

Each newly raised Shaktibaan regiment will be purely technology-driven units with the objective of "see-and-strike" operations and will include three batteries, with two of them operating long- and medium-range [[loitering munitions]] and the third operating [[Swarm drone|swarm drones]] and [[remotely piloted aircraft system]] (RPAS). The regiments are being raised under "Save and Raise" format, implying restructuring existing assets and infrastructure rather than forming entirely new units.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title='Rudra, Bhairav, Shaktibaan': Army Ready For All-Arms Brigades, Exclusive Drone Units, Special Ops Battalions |url=https://www.news18.com/india/indian-army-all-arms-brigades-special-ops-battalions-exclusive-drone-units-rudra-bhairav-shaktibaan-vijay-diwas-ws-l-9504297.html |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>

Additionally, each traditional artillery regiment will be equipped with a Divyastra Battery. These will be composite batteries equipped with loitering munitions as well as dual-role RPAs and operating alongside the two batteries equipped with eight [[Howitzer|medium artillery guns]] each. The configuration will enable sensor-to-shoot networking and integrate real-time surveillance and engagement into an independent unit.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7" />

Under the first phase, five artillery regiments are expected to be introduced with Divyastra batteries by the end of August 2025.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=2025-08-18 |title=Rudra, Bhairava, Divyastra and Shaktibaan: How Indian Army is preparing for next-gen warfare through comprehensive transformation |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/rudra-bhairava-divyastra-and-shaktibaan-how-indian-army-is-preparing-for-next-gen-warfare-through-comprehensive-transformation/articleshow/123362404.cms |access-date=2025-08-19 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[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 team)|Army Red Football Club]]
* [[Army Green (football team)|Army Green Football Club]]
* [[Uniforms of the Indian Army]]

== References ==

;Citations
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
* Gutteridge, William. "The Indianisation of the Indian Army 1918-45." ''Race'' 4.2 (1963): 39–46. [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/030639686300400205?journalCode=raca online]
* {{cite book |title=The Military Balance 2010 |author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author-link1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |editor1=Hackett, James |year=2010 |publisher=Routledge |location=London |isbn=978-1-85743-557-3 |ref=IISS2010}}
* {{cite book |title=The Military Balance 2012 |author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author-link1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |editor1=Hackett, James |date=7 March 2012 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=[[London]] |isbn=978-1-85743-642-6 |ref=IISS2012}}
* {{cite book| title=The Military Balance 2014| author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| author-link1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| date=3 February 2014| publisher=[[Routledge]]| location=[[London]]| isbn=978-1-85743-722-5| ref=IISS2014}}
* Mazumder, Rajit K. ''The Indian Army and the making of Punjab'' (Orient Blackswan, 2003) [https://books.google.com/books?id=O4Wop9vwS9sC&dq=Indian+army&pg=PR13 online].
* Omissi, David. ''The Sepoy and the Raj: the Indian army, 1860-1940'' (Springer, 2016) [https://books.google.com/books?id=suG-DAAAQBAJ&dq=Indian+army&pg=PP1 online]
* Praval, K.C. ''Indian Army After Independence'' (3rd ed. 2013) [https://books.google.com/books?id=DdxDcxj_wn4C&dq=Indian+army&pg=PA8 online]
* Rose, Patrick. ''The Indian Army, 1939-47: experience and development'' (Routledge, 2016) [https://books.google.com/books?id=QEGrCwAAQBAJ&dq=Indian+army&pg=PP1 online].
* Sundaram, Chandar S. ''Indianization, the Officer Corps, and the Indian Army: The Forgotten Debate, 1817–1917'' (Lexington Books, 2019) [http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=57612 online book review]
* Wilkinson, Steven I. [https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674728806 Army and Nation: The Military and Indian Democracy since Independence]. (Harvard University Press, 2015).

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Army of India|Indian Army}}
* {{Official website|http://indianarmy.nic.in/}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041206180157/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/ Indian Army] at [[Bharat Rakshak]] (archived)

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