The Indian Army has introduced a new uniform code, outlined in a 174-page manual titled 'Army Uniforms-2026', which replaces colonial-era dress traditions with bandi jackets, as reviewed by the Hindustan Times. The manual was last issued eight years ago, according to officials aware of the matter who spoke on Saturday.
The changes include the adoption of bandi jackets, a traditional Indian garment, as part of the official uniform, moving away from British-influenced attire. The manual also specifies updates to ceremonial and service dress, aiming to reflect Indian cultural heritage.
This initiative aligns with broader efforts to 'Indianise' military traditions, though the exact date of implementation and specific details on other uniform components were not immediately available. The Hindustan Times reported that the manual was reviewed by their team.
