New Delhi, June 14 -- In a significant move to shed colonial-era legacies, the Indian Army has introduced a series of reforms under its new Army Uniforms-2026 manual, including the adoption of the indigenous Bandi jacket, a new battle jacket for winter wear, revised sword-carrying rules, tighter grooming standards, restrictions on tattoos, cosmetics and body piercings, and updated guidelines governing religious symbols and practices while in uniform.
The comprehensive overhaul of dress regulations seeks to align military traditions with India's evolving national identity while preserving the Army's core values, discipline and heritage. The revised manual, issued eight years after the previous edition, introduces changes in ceremonial custo...