The Indian Army has rolled out a major update to its dress regulations, bringing several changes aimed at reducing colonial-era influences and aligning military traditions with India’s own identity. The new rules are part of a 174-page manual titled “Army Uniforms-2026”, the first comprehensive revision of dress regulations in eight years.
🚨Indian Army drops colonial-era dress traditions, introduces bandi jackets in new uniform code. pic.twitter.com/jdezkdrsrc
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The updated manual allows officers to wear closed-neck bandi jackets during formal occasions, removes the use of ceremonial pouch belts with certain mess dresses, and makes it optional for reviewing officers to carry swords during parades. According to the Army, these steps are part of a wider effort to modernise traditions while preserving the force’s dignity and heritage.
New winter uniform for all ranks
One of the key additions is a new winter dress known as Dress 3B, which will be worn by personnel of all ranks. The outfit includes an angola shirt, battle jacket and beret, providing a standard winter dress across the force.
The manual says the Army has reviewed several practices and symbols that were inherited from the colonial period. It also removes outdated terms such as “royal” from official usage.
Bandi jackets added to formal dress code
For the first time, officers have been formally authorised to wear bandi jackets as part of the Army’s official dress code. The jacket can be worn over a full-sleeved shirt and may have a neck hook fastening or no fastening at all. Only plain and sober colours are permitted, and it must be paired with matching formal trousers and closed formal shoes.
The bandi jacket joins other approved formal outfits such as the bandhgala, lounge suit, combination dress, and shirt-and-tie with formal trousers.
Changes to ceremonial dress
The Army has also withdrawn the use of pouch belts with Mess Dress No. 5 and No. 6, which are worn during high-profile ceremonial and formal occasions. These occasions include state functions at Rashtrapati Bhavan and Raj Bhavan, official dinners, receptions hosted by the Prime Minister, service chiefs and Army commanders, and events held in honour of visiting foreign heads of state.
However, officers up to the rank of colonel in selected arms and regiments including the Armoured Corps, Mechanised Infantry, Regiment of Artillery, Rifle Regiments, Maratha Light Infantry, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, and Corps of Signals may continue to wear pouch belts during regimental and corps ceremonial functions.
Dress code for women officers
The new regulations also clearly define formal attire for women officers. They may wear sober-coloured sarees or kurta-salwar with ankle-length straight pants and a dupatta. Sleeveless kurtas and casual styles such as palazzo pants and cigarette pants are not permitted.
The manual also places restrictions on cosmetics and accessories. Women personnel cannot wear lipstick, coloured nail polish, bindis or nose pins while in uniform. Married women may apply sindoor, but it should not be visible when wearing a beret or peak cap.
Rules on grooming, tattoos and accessories
The Army has reiterated strict standards on appearance and grooming. Tattoos and body piercings remain prohibited. Personnel are not allowed to wear bracelets while in uniform, except for a single sacred thread on the wrist on the day of a pooja. Religious symbols and markings are generally not permitted, though exemptions continue for Sikh soldiers.
Moustaches must not be longer than 12 centimetres. Soldiers are also barred from using deodorants and perfumes while in uniform, although after-shave lotions are allowed.
Push for Indian traditions
In the foreword to the manual, Lt Gen VPS Kaushik said the new edition reflects the Army’s effort to bring its dress regulations closer to contemporary Indian values by gradually removing colonial-era practices, accessories and terminology.
The move follows a broader push for indigenisation within the armed forces. The process gained momentum after Narendra Modi addressed the Combined Commanders’ Conference in Kevadia, Gujarat, five years ago and called on the military to move away from colonial customs and adopt more Indian approaches in its traditions, procedures and doctrines.
