Indian Army: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Land based branch of the Indian Armed Forces}}
[[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|thumb|180px|Flag of the Indian Army]]
{{About|the Indian Army since 1947|the earlier period|Military history of India|and| British Indian Army}}
The '''Indian Army''' is the part of the [[Indian Armed Forces|Indian Military]] which operates on land. It is the largest part of the Indian Military.
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Indian Army
| native_name = <!-- This was removed as per a [[Special:PermanentLink/863478855#What's_with_all_this_transliteration?|discussion]] at WikiProject India as an extension of [[MOS:IS]] -->
| image = ADGPI Indian Army.svg
| caption = Crest of the Indian Army
| dates =
| country = {{IND}}
| type = [[Army]]
| role = [[Ground warfare|Land warfare]]
| size = {{plainlist|
*1,237,117 active personnel<ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh Rana |first1=Uday |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 |access-date=13 August 2018 |work=News18 |date=27 December 2017 |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 |url-status=live}}</ref>
*960,000 reserve personnel<ref>{{cite book |title=The Military Balance 2017 |date=2017 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781857439007 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vk8-vgAACAAJ |language=en}}</ref>
  }}
|equipment = [[List of active Indian military aircraft#Army Aviation Corps|315]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/26019/waf2014/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302210400/https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/26019/waf2014// |archive-date=2 March 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
|equipment_label = Aircraft
| command_structure = [[Indian Armed Forces]]
| 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]]'' (Keep stepping forward)
*Slow: ''[[Samman Guard]]'' (The Guard of Honour)
  }}
| motto = ''Service Before Self''
| 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 = [[President of India|President]] [[Ram Nath Kovind]]
| commander1_label = [[Commander-in-chief#India|Commander-in-Chief]]
| commander2 = [[General (India)|General]] [[Bipin Rawat]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=IND|size=100%|sep=,|PVSM|UYSM|AVSM|YSM|SM|VSM|ADC}}
| commander2_label = [[Chief of Defence Staff (India)|Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)]]
| commander3 = [[General (India)|General]] [[Manoj Mukund Naravane]], [[PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]], [[Sena Medal|SM]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]], [[Aide-de-camp|ADC]]
| commander3_label = [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff (COAS)]]
| commander4 = [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Chandi Prasad Mohanty]] [[PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]], [[Sena Medal|SM]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
| commander4_label = [[Vice Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS)]]
| notable_commanders = {{plainlist|
*[[Field marshal (India)|Field Marshal]] [[Kodandera Madappa Cariappa|K. M. Cariappa]], [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]]
*[[Field marshal (India)|Field Marshal]] [[Sam Manekshaw]], [[Military Cross|MC]]
*[[General (India)|General]] [[Kodandera Subayya Thimayya|K. S. Thimayya]], [[Distinguished Service Order|DSO]]
  }}
<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol = [[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|border|200px]]
| identification_symbol_label = Flag
| identification_symbol_2 =
| identification_symbol_2_label = <!-- Aircraft -->
| aircraft_attack = [[HAL Rudra]], [[HAL LCH]]
| aircraft_electronic =
| aircraft_helicopter = [[HAL Dhruv]], [[HAL Chetak]], [[HAL Cheetah]]
| aircraft_helicopter_utility =
| start_date = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1895|04|01}}
}}


The '''Indian Army''' is the [[Land warfare|land-based branch]] and the 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 Army Staff of the Indian Army|Chief of Army Staff]] (COAS), who is a [[Four-star rank|four-star]] [[General officer|general]]. Two officers have been conferred with the rank of [[Field marshal (India)|field marshal]], a [[five-star rank]], which is a ceremonial position of great honour. The Indian Army originated from the armies of the [[East India Company]], which eventually became the [[British Indian Army]], and the armies of the princely states, which were merged into the national army after [[Independence of India|independence]]. The units and regiments of the Indian Army have diverse histories and have participated in a number of 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>
In 2010, Indian Army had 1,128,000 active personnel and 960,000 personnel.<ref>IISS 2010, pp. 360</ref> It has more [[soldier]]s than any other nation except China and the U.S.<ref>{{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 - Times of India ►|website=The Times of India}}</ref>


The primary mission of the Indian Army is to ensure [[National Security Council (India)|national security]] and national unity, to [[Defence (military)|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 army has been involved in four wars with neighbouring [[Pakistan]] and one with [[China]]. Other major operations undertaken by the army include [[Operation Vijay (1961)|Operation Vijay]], [[Operation Meghdoot]], and [[Operation Cactus]]. The army has conducted large peace time 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]], including those in [[United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus|Cyprus]], [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|Lebanon]], [[United Nations Operation in the Congo|Congo]], Angola, [[United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia|Cambodia]], Vietnam, [[United Nations Transition Assistance Group|Namibia]], [[ONUCA and ONUSAL|El Salvador]], Liberia, Mozambique, South Sudan, and Somalia.
== References ==
<references/>


The Indian Army is operationally and geographically divided into [[#Command structure|seven commands]], with the basic field formation being a [[Division (military)|division]]. Below the division level are [[Regiment#Regimental system|permanent regiments]] that are responsible for their own recruiting and training. The army is an [[Volunteer military|all-volunteer force]] and comprises more than 80% of the country's active defence personnel. It is the [https://theprint.in/defence/indian-army-now-worlds-largest-ground-force-as-china-halves-strength-on-modernisation-push/382287/ largest standing army] in the world, with 1,237,117<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/20-sailor-shortage-in-navy-15-officer-posts-vacant-in-army-nirmala-sitharaman-tells-parliament-1616303.html|title=20% Sailor Shortage in Navy, 15% Officer Posts Vacant In Army, Nirmala Sitharaman Tells Parliament|work=News18|access-date=28 December 2017|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|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/armed-forces-facing-shortage-of-nearly-60000-personnel-government/articleshow/62270482.cms|title=Armed forces facing shortage of nearly 60,000 personnel: Government|date=27 December 2017|work=The Economic Times|access-date=28 December 2017|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|url-status=live}}</ref>  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=9781857437225| 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=9781857439007|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=978-1857435573|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>
{{military-stub}}


==History==
[[Category:Military of India|Army]]
===British Indian Army===
[[Category:Armies]]
{{main|British Indian Army}} {{Further|List of regiments of the British Indian Army (1903)}}
[[File:RML7pounderMountanGunHazaraBattery1895.jpg|thumb|left|No. 4 ([[Hazara, Pakistan|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 [[Kolkata]]. 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 of 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 [[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"|author=Editorial Team|work=SSB Interview Tips & Coaching – SSBCrack|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=richreynolds74 |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=22 April 2020}}</ref><ref>[[Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses]]{{cite web |url=http://www.idsa-india.org/an-jul8-1.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2 April 2016 |url-status=live |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 British Indian Army was a critical force for maintaining the primacy of the [[British Empire]], both in India and throughout the world. Besides maintaining the internal security of the [[British Raj]], the Army fought in many other theatres: the [[Anglo-Burmese Wars]]; the [[First Anglo-Sikh War|First]] and [[Second Anglo-Sikh War|Second]] Anglo-Sikh wars; the [[First Anglo-Afghan War|First]], [[Second Anglo-Afghan War|Second]], and [[Third Anglo-Afghan War|Third]] Anglo-Afghan wars; the [[First Opium War|First]] and [[Second Opium War|Second]] opium wars, and the [[Boxer Rebellion]] in China; and in [[Abyssinia (battle honour)|Abyssinia]].
 
===World wars===
{{Main|Indian Army during World War I|Indian Army during World War II}}
[[File:SikhsInFrancePostcard.jpg|right|thumb|French postcard depicting the arrival of 15th [[Sikh Regiment]] in [[France]] during [[World War I]]. The postcard reads, "Gentlemen of India marching to chasten the German hooligans."]]
[[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 swastika after the surrender of German forces in Italy, May 1945. Behind him, a fascist inscriptions 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 British Indian Army was a crucial adjunct to British forces in both [[world war]]s. 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 |title=Wars and Population |last=Urlanis |first=Boris |year=1971 |location=Moscow |page=85 }}</ref> 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 British Indian Army began with the formation of the [[Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College]] at Dehradun, in March 1912, with the purpose of providing 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>
 
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 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, where in 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 Great 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 |author=Martin Bamber and Aad Neeven |url=http://www.freeindianlegion.info/pag_infanterie-regement-950.php |title=The Free Indian Legion&nbsp;– Infantry Regiment 950 (Ind) |publisher=Freeindianlegion.info |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 British 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 [[British Indian Army]] was divided between the newly created nations of [[Dominion of India|India]] and [[Dominion of Pakistan|Pakistan]]. The [[Punjab Boundary Force]], which had been formed to help police the 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 commander-in-chief of the Indian Army from [[General]] [[Roy Bucher|Sir Francis Butcher]], the last British [[Commander-in-Chief, India|commander-in-chief]] of India, 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 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 27 October dawn onwards.<ref name="TC">{{cite journal|first=Tom |last=Cooper |date=29 October 2003 |title=Indo-Pakistani War, 1947–1949 |publisher=ACIG |url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_321.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613025308/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_321.shtml |archive-date=13 June 2006 }}</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).{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}
 
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. A number of [[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|url=http://www.kashmiri-cc.ca/un/index.htm |title=Kashmir in the United Nations |date=28 January 1998 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980128230651/http://www.kashmiri-cc.ca/un/index.htm |archive-date=28 January 1998 }}</ref> A precondition to the resolution was for Pakistan and India to return to a [[Status quo ante bellum|state of "as was" prior to 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 entirely 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 following 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.
 
'''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]]. 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]].{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}
 
'''Annexation of Goa, Daman and Diu (1961)'''
{{Main|Annexation of Goa}}
<!-- [[WP:NFCC]] violation: [[File:Vasco Da gama POW camp.jpg|thumb|right|The Indian Chief of Army Staff, Gen. [[Pran Nath Thapar]] (far right) with deposed Governor General of Portuguese India [[Manuel António Vassalo e Silva]] (seated centre) at a POW facility in Vasco Da Gama, [[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.
 
'''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&as_brr=3#PPA201,M1 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&as_brr=3#PPA99,M1 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 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 co-ordination 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 counter-attack 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 still 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 Sherman tank, after the 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|last=R.D. Pradhan & 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>[http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_781531179/indo-pakistan_wars.html "Indo-Pakistan Wars"]. [[Microsoft Encarta]] 2008. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508073809/http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_781531179/Indo-Pakistan_Wars.html |date=8 May 2009 }} 31 October 2009.</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 Cho La incident, was a [[military conflict]] between [[India]]n 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}}</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=9781137412355 |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 name="Kirantis' khukris flash at Chola in 1967">{{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=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>
 
'''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]] 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=978-11-35261-68-9 |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 enjoined 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 [[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 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. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106003728/https://books.google.com/books?id=IZ83V3JLXFMC&pg=PA23&output=text#c_top |archive-date=6 January 2016  }}</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]] 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.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}
 
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, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Agra, Adampur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Uttarlai, and 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.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Lt Gen A A K Niazi (right), Commander of the Pakistani Eastern Command, signing the Instrument of Surrender under the gaze of Lt Gen J S Aurora.]]
 
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 lost their lives. 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 were 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]], the 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 has 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, prior to 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.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} 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 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.
 
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|title=16 Things You Should Know About India's Soldiers Defending Siachen|url=http://topyaps.com/know-about-indian-soldiers-in-siachen|access-date=16 May 2014|newspaper=Topyaps|date=1 November 2014|author=Kamal Thakur|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031102028/http://topyaps.com/know-about-indian-soldiers-in-siachen|archive-date=31 October 2014}}</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|insurgent]]s 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 name=IndianArmyE-SymposiumNCmd>{{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 name=IndianArmyE-SymposiumNCmdNTS2016>{{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}}</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, 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 first priority was to recapture peaks that were in the immediate vicinity of NH 1A. This resulted in Indian troops first targeting the Tiger Hill and 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:Natural Look Of Kargil War Memorial.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|Kargil War Memorial, built to honor fallen soldiers.]]
 
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 driving 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 under way, 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 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. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/386537.stm "Pakistan and the Kashmir militants"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030228190044/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/386537.stm |date=28 February 2003 }}. [[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 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 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.{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}}
 
'''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 {{!}} News- Times of India Videos ►|website=The Times of India|access-date=28 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/watch-its-the-footage-i-saw-the-next-day-confirms-lt-gen-ds-hooda-who-led-the-surgical-strike|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628072448/https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/watch-its-the-footage-i-saw-the-next-day-confirms-lt-gen-ds-hooda-who-led-the-surgical-strike|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 June 2018|title=WATCH: "It's the footage I saw the next day", confirms Lt Gen DS Hooda who led the Surgical Strike – Republic World|work=Republic World|access-date=28 June 2018|language=en-US}}</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> 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|first=Daily|last=Excelsior|date=4 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|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|via=The Economic Times}}</ref>
 
'''United Nations peacekeeping missions'''
{{Main|Indian Army United Nations peacekeeping missions}}
[[File:UN forces in Somalia.JPEG|alt=|thumb|Indian T-72 armored tanks in Somalia, as part of the UN peacekeeping mission]]
 
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 name="autogenerated3">[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 web |author=John Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/brass-tacks.htm |title=Brass Tacks |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |access-date=31 March 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211104142/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/brass-tacks.htm |archive-date=11 February 2011  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1811/18110990.htm |title=An exercise in anticipation |publisher=Hinduonnet.com |author=John Cherian |date=8 June 2001 |access-date=31 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041207205511/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1811/18110990.htm |archive-date=7 December 2004  }}</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 counter-insurgency 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, 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]]
 
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).
 
The seventh edition of Yudh Abhyas began on 5 March 2012, in two locations under the South Western 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. A number of key surveillance, communications, and improvised-explosive-device detection and neutralisation technologies, available to both sides, were fielded in the exercise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defence.pk/forums/indian-defence/165331-indo-us-army-exercise-yudh-abhyas.html |title=Indo-US Army Exercise Yudh Abhyas |publisher=Defence.pk |date=14 March 2012 |access-date=1 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418094553/http://www.defence.pk/forums/indian-defence/165331-indo-us-army-exercise-yudh-abhyas.html |archive-date=18 April 2012  }}</ref>
 
[[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]]
[[File:T-90 Bhisma cropped.jpg|alt=|thumb|Indian army armoured vehicles during Yudh Abhyas exercises]]
 
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|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'''
 
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 |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 Indian army since 1947. The collective training started with the honing of basic battle procedures and tactical drills.
 
A number of 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 later 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 a number of 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 web|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|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|last=Admin|website=News Ghana|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 becomes important, the Indian Army and 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==
{{Main|List of serving generals of the Indian Army}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Principal Staff Officers at Headquarters, Indian Army
!Post
!Current Holder
|-
|[[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]]
|General [[Manoj Mukund Naravane]] PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC
|-
|[[Vice Chief of Army Staff (India)|Vice Chief of Army Staff]]
|Lieutenant General [[Chandi Prasad Mohanty]] [[PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]], [[Sena Medal|SM]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
|-
|Deputy Chief of Army Staff  (Information Systems & Training)
|Lieutenant General Saranjit Singh UYSM, YSM
|-
|Deputy Chief of Army Staff  (Planning & Systems)
|Lieutenant General Sudharshan Shrikant Hasabnis PVSM, VSM, ADC<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/make-in-india-not-just-confined-to-india-anymore-benefitting-others-jitendra-singh/1378556|title='Make in India' not just confined to India anymore, benefitting others: Jitendra Singh|work=Outlook|access-date=10 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910094634/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/make-in-india-not-just-confined-to-india-anymore-benefitting-others-jitendra-singh/1378556|archive-date=10 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[Adjutant-General (India)|Adjutant General]]
|Lieutenant General Arvind Dutta PVSM, AVSM, YSM<ref>{{cite news |title=Lt Gen Arvind Dutta Appointed Adjutant General of Indian Army |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/lt-gen-arvind-dutta-appointed-adjutant-general-of-indian-army |date=30 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110224935/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/lt-gen-arvind-dutta-appointed-adjutant-general-of-indian-army20191030224226/ |archive-date=10 November 2019 |agency=[[Asian News International|ANI]] |access-date=5 May 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[Military Secretary (India)|Military Secretary]]
|Lieutenant General [[Anil Kumar Bhatt]] UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM<ref name="Kashmir News Zone">{{Cite web|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/lt-gen-a-k-bhatt-joining-as-military-secretary-at-army-headquarters/|title=Lt Gen A K Bhatt joining as Military Secretary at army headquarters|date=9 January 2019|website=Greater Kashmir}}</ref>
|-
|[[Master-General of the Ordnance|Master General of Ordnance]]
|Lieutenant General S K Upadhya PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://projectyourstate.com/index.php/Home/display/Lt-Gen-S-K-Upadhyay-designated-as-MGO|title=Lt Gen S K Upadhyay designated as MGO}}</ref>
|-
|[[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Engineer-in-Chief]]
|Lieutenant General Harpal Singh PVSM, AVSM, VSM<ref name="Engineer in Chief">{{Cite web|url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=Y4rGVKtJOxeh0fa45xgiQA==&ParentID=R4Vzz2oJuBgkxiSRB3QZUg==&flag=C30guu1iW7LuRWoZFmISSQ==|title=Engineer in Chief}}</ref>
|-
|[[Quartermaster general|Quartermaster General]]
|Lieutenant General [[Gopal R]]  UYSM, AVSM, SM<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_serving_generals_of_the_Indian_Army&oldid=965487094|title=List of serving generals of the Indian Army|date=1 July 2020|via=Wikipedia}}</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.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/divisions.htm Divisions and Corps of Indian Army, ''Global Security''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628200328/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/divisions.htm |date=28 June 2011 }}</ref> 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]] abbreviated ARTRAC. Besides these, army officers may head tri-service commands such as the [[Strategic Forces Command]] and [[Andaman and Nicobar Command]], as well as institutions such as the [[Ministry of Defence (India)#Integrated Defence Staff (IDS)|Integrated Defence Staff]].
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Insignia !! Name!! Headquarters
!Army Commander!! Subordinate Unit(s)
|-
| [[File:Badge of the Indian Army HQ.svg|50px]] || '''Headquarters, Indian Army''' || [[New Delhi]]
||| [[50th Indian Parachute Brigade|50th Independent Parachute Brigade]] – [[Agra]]
|-
| [[File:IA Central Command.jpg|50px]] || '''[[Central Command (India)|Central Command]]''' || [[Lucknow]]
|Lieutenant General [[Yogendra Dimri]]<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://odishatv.in/nation/lt-gen-dimri-takes-over-army-central-command-chief-531334|title=Lt Gen Dimri Takes Over Army Central Command Chief &#124; OTV News|date=1 April 2021}}</ref>
|[[6th Infantry Division (India)|6th Mountain Division]] – [[Bareilly]]
|-
| [[File:IA Eastern Command.jpg|50px]] || '''[[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command]]''' ||[[Kolkata]]
|Lieutenant General [[Anil Chauhan]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sep 1 |first1=Jayanta Gupta {{!}} TNN {{!}} Updated |title=Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan takes over as Eastern Army Commander {{!}} Kolkata News – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/lieutenant-general-anil-chauhan-takes-over-as-eastern-army-commander/articleshow/70938726.cms |website=The Times of India |language=en|date=1 September 2019}}</ref>
|
{{bulleted list
 
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[III Corps (India)|III Corps]] – [[Dimapur]]
| 1 = [[2nd Infantry Division (India)|2nd Mountain Division]] – [[Dibrugarh]]
| 2 = [[57th Mountain Division (India)|57th Mountain Division]] – [[Leimakhong]]
| 3 = [[56th Infantry Division (India)|56th Infantry Division]] – [[Likabali]]
  }}
 
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[IV Corps (India)|IV Corps]] – [[Tezpur]]
| 1 = [[71st Infantry Division (India)|71st Mountain Division]] – [[Missamari]]
| 2 = [[5th Infantry Division (India)|5th Mountain Division]] – [[Bomdila]]
| 3 = [[21st Infantry Division (India)|21st Mountain Division]] – [[Rangiya]]
  }}
 
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[XXXIII Corps (India)|XXXIII Corps]] – [[Siliguri]]
| 1 = [[17th Infantry Division (India)|17th Mountain Division]] – [[Gangtok]]
| 2 = [[20th Infantry Division (India)|20th Mountain Division]] – [[Binnaguri]]
| 3 = [[27th Mountain Division (India)|27th Mountain Division]] – [[Kalimpong]]
  }}
 
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[XVII Corps (India)|XVII Corps]]** – [[Panagarh]]<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 – [[Panagarh]]
| 2 = 72 Infantry Division** – [[Pathankot]]
  }}
}}
|-
| [[File:IA Northern Command.jpg|50px]] || '''[[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]]''' || [[Udhampur]]
|Lieutenant General [[Yogesh Kumar Joshi]]<ref>{{cite news |author=Negi, Manjeet Singh |title=Kargil fame Lt Gen YK Joshi appointed Northern Army Commander |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kargil-fame-lt-gen-yk-joshi-appointed-northern-army-commander-1639616-2020-01-24 |work=India Today |location=London |date=24 January 2020 |access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref>
|
{{bulleted list
 
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[XIV Corps (India)|XIV Corps]] – [[Leh]]
| 1 = [[3rd Infantry Division (India)|3rd Infantry Division]] – [[Leh]]
| 2 = [[8th Infantry Division (India)|8th Mountain Division]] – [[Dras]]
  }}
 
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[XV Corps (India)|XV Corps]] – [[Srinagar]]
| 1 = [[19th Infantry Division (India)|19th Infantry Division]] – [[Baramulla]],
| 2 = [[28th Mountain Division (India)|28th Mountain Division]] – [[Gurez]]
  }}
 
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[XVI Corps (India)|XVI Corps]] – [[Nagrota]]
| 1 = [[10th Infantry Division (India)|10th Infantry Division]] – [[Akhnoor]]
| 2 = [[25th Infantry Division (India)|25th Infantry Division]] – [[Rajauri]]
| 3 = [[39th Infantry Division (India)|39th Infantry Division]] – [[Yol, Himachal Pradesh|Yol]]
| 4 = 10 Artillery brigade
  }}
 
}}
|-
| [[File:IA Southern Command.jpg|50px]] || '''[[Southern Command (India)|Southern Command]]''' || [[Pune]]
|Lieutenant General  [[Jai Singh Nain|JS Nain]]<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |title=Lt Gen JS Nain assumes command of Southern Army in Pune|url=https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1431149-lt-gen-js-nain-assumes-command-of-southern-army-in-pune |work=Devdiscourse|location= |date=1 February 2021 |access-date=1 February 2021}}</ref>
|
{{bulleted list
| [[41 Artillery Division (India)|41st Artillery Division]] – [[Pune]]
 
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[XII Corps (India)|XII Corps]] – [[Jodhpur]]
| 1 = 4th Armoured Brigade
| 2 = 340th Mechanised Brigade
| 3 = [[11th Infantry Division (India)|11th Infantry Division]] – [[Ahmedabad]]
| 4 = [[12th Infantry Division (India)|12th RAPID]] – [[Jaisalmer]]
  }}
 
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[XXI Corps (India)|XXI Corps]] – [[Bhopal]]
| 1 = [[31st Indian Armoured Division|31st Armoured Division]] – [[Jhansi]]
| 2 = [[36th Infantry Division (India)|36th RAPID]] – [[Sagar, Madhya Pradesh|Sagar]]
| 3 = [[54th Infantry Division (India)|54th Infantry Division]] – [[Secunderabad]]
| 4 = 475th Engineering Brigade
  }}
 
}}
|-
| [[File:IA South Western Command.jpg|50px]] || '''[[South Western Command (India)|South Western Command]]''' || [[Jaipur]]
|Lieutenant General [[Amardeep Singh Bhinder]]<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |title=Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Bhinder takes over as chief of South Western Command|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/lt-gen-amardeep-singh-bhinder-takes-over-as-chief-of-south-western-command/articleshow/81832417.cms |work=The Economic Times |location= |date=1 April 2021 |access-date=6 April 2021}}</ref>
|
{{bulleted list
|[[42nd Artillery Division (India)|42nd Artillery Division]] – [[Jaipur]]
 
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[I Corps (India)|I Corps]] – [[Mathura]]
| 1 = [[4th Infantry Division (India)|4th Infantry Division]] – [[Allahabad]]
| 2 = [[23rd Infantry Division (India)|23rd Infantry Division]] – [[Ranchi]]
| 3 = [[33rd Armoured Division]] – [[Hisar Military Station|Hisar]]
  }}
 
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[X Corps (India)|X Corps]] – [[Bathinda]]
| 1 = [[16th Infantry Division (India)|16th Infantry Division]] – [[Sri Ganganagar]]
| 2 = [[18th Infantry Division (India)|18th RAPID]] – [[Kota, Rajasthan|Kota]]
| 3 = [[24th Infantry Division (India)|24th RAPID]] – [[Bikaner]]
| 4 = [[6th Armoured Brigade (India)|6th Independent Armoured Brigade]] – [[Suratgarh, Rajasthan|Suratgarh]]
| 5 = 615th Independent Air Defence Brigade
| 6 = 471st Engineering Brigade
  }}
 
}}
|-
| [[File:IA Western Command.jpg|50px]] || '''[[Western Command (India)|Western Command]]''' ||[[Chandimandir Cantonment|Chandimandir]]
|Lieutenant General [[Ravendra Pal Singh]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gurung |first1=Shaurya Karanbir |title=Naravane appointed as new Vice Chief of Indian Army, four army commanders appointed |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/naravane-appointed-as-new-vice-chief-of-indian-army-four-army-commanders-appointed/articleshow/70339637.cms |website=The Economic Times |date=23 July 2019}}</ref>
|
{{bulleted list
|[[40th Artillery Division (India)|40th Artillery Division]] – [[Ambala]]
 
|{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = [[II Corps (India)|II Corps]] – [[Ambala]]
| 1 = [[1st Armoured Division (India)|1st Armoured Division]] – [[Patiala]]
| 2 = [[14th Infantry Division (India)|14th RAPID]] at [[Dehradun]]
| 3 = [[22nd Infantry Division (India)|22nd Infantry Division]] – [[Meerut]]
| 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]] – [[Yol, Himachal Pradesh|Yol]]
| 1 = [[26th Infantry Division (India)|26th Infantry Division]] – [[Jammu]]
| 2 = [[29th Infantry Division (India)|29th Infantry Division]] – [[Pathankot]]
| 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]] – [[Jalandhar]]
| 1 = [[7th Infantry Division (India)|7th Infantry Division]] – [[Firozpur]]
| 2 = [[9th Infantry Division (India)|9th Infantry Division]] – [[Meerut]]
| 3 = [[15th Infantry Division (India)|15th Infantry Division]] – [[Amritsar]]
| 4 = 23rd Armoured Brigade
| 5 = 55th Mechanised Brigade
  }}
 
}}
|-
| [[File:IA Training Command.jpg|50px]] || '''[[Army Training Command (India)|Army Training Command]]''' || [[Shimla]]
|Lieutenant General [[Raj Shukla]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/lt-gen-raj-shukla-assumes-charge-of-artrac/|title=Lt Gen Raj Shukla assumes charge of ARTRAC|first=Sumit|last=Arora}}</ref>|| [[Military academies in India#Indian Army|Army Training Establishments]]
|}
''Note: ** = Currently being raised''
 
=== Combat Arms ===
{{Main|List of regiments of the Indian Army}}
[[File:Flickr - DVIDSHUB - US Army Alaska, Indian Army practice operational harmony (Image 4 of 7).jpg|alt=|thumb|Indian Army paratroopers with U.S soldiers during an exercise in Alaska]]
[[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:Honour guard, India 20060302-9 d-0108-2-515h.jpg|thumb|The mounted [[President's Bodyguard]] during a state visit by a foreign dignitary]]
 
{| class="wikitable"
!Name
!Director General
!Center
|-
|[[Indian Army Armoured Corps|Armoured Corps]]
|
|The Armoured Corps Centre and School, [[Ahmednagar]]
|-
|[[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Regiment of Artillery]]
|Lieutenant General P K Srivastava, PVSM, AVSM, VSM<ref name=IndianArmyArtilleryDG>{{Cite web |title=The Regiment of Artillery: Director General and Colonel Commandant |url=http://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=tp6QV4gmHtrUy/2aWwOdPQ==&ParentID=c/kSjJUgAet86QVQqfy9rQ== |website=Official Website of Indian Army |access-date=7 January 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224160759/http://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=tp6QV4gmHtrUy%2F2aWwOdPQ%3D%3D&ParentID=c%2FkSjJUgAet86QVQqfy9rQ%3D%3D |archive-date=24 December 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2019/01/26/des70-day-army-awards.html|title=List of personnel being conferred gallantry and distinguished awards|website=The Week|language=en|access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref>
|The School of Artillery, [[Devlali]] near [[Nasik]]
|-
|[[Corps of Army Air Defence (India)|Corps of Army Air Defence]]&nbsp;
|Lieutenant General A P Singh,<ref name=IndianArmyAirDefenceDG>{{Cite web |title=Army Air Defence: Director General Army Air Defence |url=http://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp2P_SameRow1Flash2C.aspx?MnId=sAfhA9jyS0nVao8srSkuig==&ParentID=MYf/ZqOryVj+hMZZBdL2Yw==&flag=7QuSd9EEv4RiL0wgt7N/BA== |website=Official Website of Indian Army |access-date=7 January 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224215707/http://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp2P_SameRow1Flash2C.aspx?MnId=sAfhA9jyS0nVao8srSkuig%3D%3D&ParentID=MYf%2FZqOryVj%2BhMZZBdL2Yw%3D%3D&flag=7QuSd9EEv4RiL0wgt7N%2FBA%3D%3D |archive-date=24 December 2016 }}</ref>
|[[Gopalpur, Orissa|Gopalpur]], [[Odisha]].
|-
|[[Army Aviation Corps (India)|Army Aviation Corps]]
|Lieutenant General Kanwal Kumar<ref name=IndianArmyAviationDG>{{Cite web |title=Army Aviation Corps: Director General and Colonel Commandant |url=http://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=1jNdrzG4uqOdGXvYwmFaHA==&ParentID=jXRQ8bX13B68jZasmqKbng== |website=Official Website of Indian Army |access-date=7 January 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224215513/http://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=1jNdrzG4uqOdGXvYwmFaHA%3D%3D&ParentID=jXRQ8bX13B68jZasmqKbng%3D%3D |archive-date=24 December 2016 }}</ref>
|Combat Army Aviation Training School, [[Nasik]].
|-
|[[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]]
|Lieutenant General Harpal Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
|[[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 Rajeev Sabheral, AVSM, VSM<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=h8szue/cWu/d1pegKHWb3A==&ParentID=ZETSh8BjfAVd9DdrFSyVeA==&flag=8CKP966uzg96kLov0aWdfQ==|title=The Corps of Signals SO-in-C|access-date=7 September 2019}}</ref>
|[[Military College of Telecommunication Engineering]] (MCTE), [[Mhow]]<br />Two Signal Training Centres at [[Jabalpur]] and [[Goa]].
|-
|[[Mechanised Infantry Regiment|Mechanised Infantry]]
|Lieutenant General R K Jagga
|[[Ahmednagar]]
|-
|Infantry
|
|
|}
 
'''[[Indian Army Armoured Corps|Armoured Corps]]'''
[[File:Indian Army Armoured Corps.jpg|thumb|Army Armoured Corps in 2006]]
 
There are 65 armoured regiments in the Indian Army (including). These include the [[President's Bodyguard]] and [[61st Cavalry (India)|61st Cavalry]] the 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|Mechanised Infantry]]'''
 
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 48 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 were also converted to the mechanised profile. The two regiments along with the Armoured Corps form part of the Indian Army's elite "Mechanised Forces".
 
'''Infantry'''
[[File:Indian Army personnel with Sig 716i.jpg|thumb|Indian army personnel from [[XVI Corps (India)|White Night Corps]] armed with a standard issued Sig 716i, 2021]]
[[File:A Indian Army Personnel from Assam Regiment with US Army.jpg|thumb|A Indian Army Personnel from [[Assam Regiment]] during Yudh Abhyas exercise in 2019]]
[[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 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]].
 
{| 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]]
|
|1990
|-
|[[Arunachal Scouts]]
|Shillong, Meghalaya
|2010
|-
|[[Sikkim Scouts]]
|
|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|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 defense 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=live|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 Indian infantry, each group consisting of a number of 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 100-year 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'''
 
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 name="21 Different Branches Of Indian Army That Make It Such An Efficient Defence Force">{{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|website=TopYaps|access-date=7 June 2016|date=24 June 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611002310/http://topyaps.com/branches-of-the-indian-army|archive-date=11 June 2016}}</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.
 
'''Para (Special Forces)'''
 
[[Para (Special Forces)]], commonly known as '''Para SF''', is the [[special operations]] unit of Indian Army. It is part of the [[Bangalore]]-based [[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]].
 
=== Services ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name
!Director General
! Centre
|-
|[[Indian Army Service Corps|Army Service Corps]]
|Lt General M. H. Thakur<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2017/sep/30/wives-of-wronged-army-officers-move-pmo-defence-minister-1664963.html|title=Lt Gen MH Thakur|access-date=30 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219070747/http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2017/sep/30/wives-of-wronged-army-officers-move-pmo-defence-minister-1664963.html|archive-date=19 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
|[[Bangalore]]
|-
|[[Indian Army Medical Corps|Army Medical Corps]]
|Lt General Velu Nair, AVSM, VSM<ref name=IndianArmyMedicalChief>{{Cite web |title=Army Medical Corps: DGMS (Army) [Director General, Medical Services, Army] |url=http://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=Jl9nSV/I8NQQnCiRe6LtrQ==&ParentID=S5klO6/BDv+krDnXMTOt2Q==&flag=Xk6R5ZzAC5dgZbgYGufbiQ== |website=Official Website of the Indian Army |access-date=25 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224205508/http://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=Jl9nSV%2FI8NQQnCiRe6LtrQ%3D%3D&ParentID=S5klO6%2FBDv%2BkrDnXMTOt2Q%3D%3D&flag=Xk6R5ZzAC5dgZbgYGufbiQ%3D%3D |archive-date=24 December 2016  }}</ref>
|[[Lucknow]]/[[Pune]]
|-
|Army Dental Corps
|Lt General T. K. Bandyopadhyay<ref name=IndianArmyDentalChief>{{Cite web |title=Army Dental Corps: Director General, Dental Services |url=http://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=M3b+XYs56WCIv34Q1tz5yA==&ParentID=jEeI7acRVboGEuVPfmWc7w==&flag=cocBvg+IVvPwMx6VrGM/3g== |website=Official Website of the Indian Army |access-date=25 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224160814/http://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=M3b%2BXYs56WCIv34Q1tz5yA%3D%3D&ParentID=jEeI7acRVboGEuVPfmWc7w%3D%3D&flag=cocBvg%2BIVvPwMx6VrGM%2F3g%3D%3D |archive-date=24 December 2016  }}</ref>
|[[Lucknow]]
|-
|[[Army Ordnance Corps (India)|Army Ordnance Corps]]
|Lt General Dalip Singh<ref name=IndianArmyOrdnanceChief>{{Cite web |title=Director General Ordnance Services |url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=6ZIqb9KzqBI3oTia7gAKew==&ParentID=51NL5Xb7d88a6JF4qORMMA== |website=Official Website of the Indian Army |access-date=23 March 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323101959/https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=6ZIqb9KzqBI3oTia7gAKew%3D%3D&ParentID=51NL5Xb7d88a6JF4qORMMA%3D%3D |archive-date=23 March 2020}}</ref>
|[[Jabalpur]] and [[Secunderabad]] (HQ)
|-
|[[Indian Army Corps of EME|Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers]]
|Lt General K. K. Agarwal<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.davp.nic.in/WriteReadData/ADS/eng_10103_15_1718b.pdf|title=75th EME CORPS DAY – DAVP|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229231517/http://www.davp.nic.in/WriteReadData/ADS/eng_10103_15_1718b.pdf|archive-date=29 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|[[Secunderabad]]
|-
|[[Indian Army Remount and Veterinary Corps|Remount and Veterinary Corps]]
|Lt General A. J. Singh, VSM<ref name=IndianArmyVeterinaryChief>{{Cite web |title=Remount and Veterinary Corps: Director General, Remount Veterinary Services |url=http://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=kMDEfPW2dI/M5b1QFDVhiA==&ParentID=n6dZeeNUwNkKbVdRm6xrXQ==&flag=zm/q3oC+z/l3lOVaAAQs+w== |website=Official Website of the Indian Army |access-date=25 October 2016 |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>
|[[Meerut]]
|-
|[[Army Education Corps (India)|Army Education Corps]]
|Major General Sunil Chandra<ref name=IndianArmyEducationChief>{{Cite web |title=Army Education Corps: General Information |url=http://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp1P7C.aspx?MnId=UyhuZtytWMaSw6oBORnA4w==&ParentID=EtWz6WYTvK4NhNqb5xFD9g==&flag=0EnAQ/iObNWCdOOuEEMDKw== |website=Official Website of the Indian Army |access-date=25 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224215656/http://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp1P7C.aspx?MnId=UyhuZtytWMaSw6oBORnA4w%3D%3D&ParentID=EtWz6WYTvK4NhNqb5xFD9g%3D%3D&flag=0EnAQ%2FiObNWCdOOuEEMDKw%3D%3D |archive-date=24 December 2016  }}</ref>
|[[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]]
|Major General P. S. Negi<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=SfW1A9oZY/S3WGtJXYCEGA==&ParentID=EaWTQAYELhDrAQXLDcAOkA==|title=Heads of Service}}</ref>
|[[Kamptee]] near Nagpur
|-
|[[Territorial Army (India)|Territorial Army]]
|Lieutenant General D. P. Pandey <ref>{{Cite web |title=Directors/ ADGs |url=https://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmPhotoGalleryWithoutText.aspx?MnId=mPtsIdm0I4EmaOT%2fyzr1Ew%3d%3d&ParentID=9bWq0b0Mt5On95RdCdIb7g%3d%3d |website=Indian Army |access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=Snehesh Alex Philip |title=Territorial Army set for overhaul as voluntary force gets its first director general |url=https://theprint.in/defence/territorial-army-set-for-overhaul-as-voluntary-force-gets-its-first-director-general/374017/ |date=2 March 2020 |website=[[ThePrint]] |access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref>
|[[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]]
|Major General Joyce Gladys Roach<ref>{{cite web|access-date=28 September 2019|title=Major General Joyce Gladys Roach takes over as ADG, MNS – India Strategic|url=https://www.indiastrategic.in/2019/09/01/major-general-joyce-gladys-roach-takes-over-as-adg-mns/}}</ref>
|Pune and Lucknow
|-
|Human Rights Cell
|Major General Gautam Chauhan<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sagar|first=Pradip R|date=4 January 2021|title=Indian Army appoints major general as 1st head of its Human Rights Cell|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/01/04/indian-army-appoints-major-general-as-1st-head-of-its-human-rights-cell.html|access-date=2021-01-06|website=The Week|language=en}}</ref>
|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 a period of 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=2020-05-16}}</ref> The scheme is on a trial basis and will start with a test group of 100 officers and 1000 jawans.<ref>{{Cite web|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|access-date=2020-05-16}}</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 own ranks. With time, its role has evolved into cross-border intelligence, intelligence sharing with friendly nations, infiltrating insurgent groups, and counter-terrorism.
 
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>
 
===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 seniormost [[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=978-0982054178|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<ref>{{cite web |author=John Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/divisions.htm |title=Indian Army Divisions |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |access-date=31 March 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628200328/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/divisions.htm |archive-date=28 June 2011  }}</ref> 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 Force|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|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]] 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==
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=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> 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|last=(Iiss)|first=The International Institute of Strategic Studies|date=14 February 2020|publisher=Routledge, Chapman & Hall, Incorporated|isbn=9780367466398|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=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-31/india/28144490_1_yudh-sena-medal-indian-army-rajput-regiment|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.
 
'''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 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;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center"
!Equivalent<br />NATO code
|colspan=1|OF-10
|colspan=1|OF-9
|colspan=1|OF-8
|colspan=1|OF-7
|colspan=1|OF-6
|colspan=1|OF-5
|colspan=1|OF-4
|colspan=1|OF-3
|colspan=1|OF-2
|OF-1
|- align=center
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
|- align=center
|+ '''Ranks of the Indian Army – Officer Ranks'''
||'''Shoulder<br/>Insignia'''
|| [[File:Field Marshal of the Indian Army.svg|40px]]
|| [[File:General of the Indian Army.svg|40px]]
|| [[File:Lieutenant General of the Indian Army.svg|40px]]
|| [[File:Major General of the Indian Army.svg|40px]]
|| [[File:Brigadier of the Indian Army.svg|40px]]
|| [[File:Colonel of the Indian Army.svg|40px]]
|| [[File:Lieutenant Colonel of the Indian Army.svg|40px]]
|| [[File:Major of the Indian Army.svg|40px]]
|| [[File:Captain of the Indian Army.svg|40px]]
|| [[File:Lieutenant of the Indian Army.svg|40px]]
|- align=center
||'''Rank'''
|| [[Field Marshal (India)|Field <br /> Marshal]]<sup>1</sup>
|| [[General (India)|General]]<sup>2</sup>
|| [[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant <br /> General]]
|| [[Major General (India)|Major <br /> General]]
|| [[Brigadier]]
|| [[Colonel]]
|| [[Lieutenant Colonel|Lieutenant <br /> Colonel]]
|| [[Major]]
|| [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]]
|| [[Lieutenant]]
|- align=center
|colspan=8|
|-
|colspan=5|
* <sup>1</sup>Honorary/wartime rank.
* <sup>2</sup>Held only by the [[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'''
 
{{Indian_Army_enlisted_ranks}}
 
===Uniforms===
[[File:IndianArmyDelhi.JPG|thumb|left|Soldiers of the [[Assam Regiment]] ]]
 
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 which 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]] for [[Service Dress (British Army)|Service Dress]]. The Indian Army uniform standardises on dun for khaki.
 
The Indian Army camouflage uniform consists of shirts, trousers, and cap of a synthetic material. Shirts are buttoned up with two chest pockets with buttoned flaps. Trousers have two pockets, two thigh box pockets, and a back pocket. Current standard issued [[camouflage]] uniform of Indian Army is the [[Camouflage Europe Centrale| French Camouflage Europe Centrale]] which features a forest camouflage pattern and is designed for use in woodland environments. The Indian Army Desert camouflage which is based on the [[Camouflage Daguet| French Camouflage Daguet]], 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.
 
The modern Indian Army wears distinctive parade uniforms characterised by variegated turbans and waist-sashes in regimental colours. The Gurkha and Garwhal 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.
 
===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:Dr Seema Rao Woman Commando Trainer at Corps Battle School Northern Command Indian Army.png|alt=|thumb|A female civilian Contractor<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/2019-wpower-trailblazers/dr-seema-rao-indias-first-female-combat-trainer-fighting-stereotypes/52713/1|title=Dr Seema Rao: India's First Female Combat Trainer, Fighting Stereotypes|website=Forbes India}}</ref> briefing Indian Army soldiers on firing techniques.]]
{{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> On 19 January 2007, the United Nations first all-female peacekeeping force, made up of 105 Indian policewomen, was deployed to [[Liberia]].<ref>{{cite news|title=First All-Female U.N. Peacekeeping Force to Deploy to Liberia|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,244862,00.html|work=Fox News Channel|date=19 January 2007|access-date=28 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217033156/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,244862,00.html|archive-date=17 February 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2014, India's army had 3 percent women, the Navy 2.8 percent, and the Air Force, the highest, with 8.5 percent women.<ref>{{cite web|title=Indian Army's shameful treatment of women recruits|url=http://www.ndtv.com/opinion/indian-armys-shameful-treatment-of-women-recruits-706717|website=NDTV|access-date=13 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310201754/http://www.ndtv.com/opinion/indian-armys-shameful-treatment-of-women-recruits-706717|archive-date=10 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, India opened new combat air force roles for women as [[fighter pilot]]s, adding to their role as helicopter pilots in the Indian Air Force.<ref>"India paves way for women in military combat roles"  [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/india-paves-way-for-women/2215380.html ''Channel NewsAsia'' 24 Oct 2015] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205014816/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/india-paves-way-for-women/2215380.html |date=5 February 2017 }}</ref>
 
==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.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}
 
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|author=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===
* [[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 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>
* India is currently re-organising its mechanised forces to achieve strategic mobility and high-volume firepower for rapid thrusts into enemy territory. India proposes to progressively deploy as many as 248 [[Arjun (tank)|Arjun]] main battle tanks (MBT) and to develop and deploy the Arjun MK-II variant, as well as 1,657 Russian-made [[T-90|T-90S]] MBTs. The army is procuring 2,000 night vision devices for T-72 tanks, for Rs 10&nbsp;billion; 1,200 for T-90 tanks, for Rs 9.60&nbsp;billion; and 1,780 for infantry combat vehicles, for Rs 8.60&nbsp;billion. It is also acquiring 700 TISAS (thermal imaging stand alone systems) and 418 TIFACS (thermal fire control systems) for its T-72 fleet, at a cost of around $230 million. 300 Israeli TISAS were installed as part of several T-72 upgrade phases, followed by 3,860 image intensifier-based night-vision devices. 310 Russian produced T-90S Main Battle Tanks were also fitted with French Catherine TI cameras.<ref name=zn2a13>{{cite news|title=Night-vision devices for Indian Army approved|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/night-vision-devices-for-indian-army-approved_839359.html|access-date=10 July 2013|newspaper=Zee News|date=2 April 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608075901/http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/night-vision-devices-for-indian-army-approved_839359.html|archive-date=8 June 2013}}</ref><ref name=tect2a13>{{cite news|title=Army to get night vision devices worth over Rs 2,800 crore for its tanks and infantry combat vehicles|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-04-02/news/38218271_1_indian-army-indigenisation-ongoing-12th-defence-plan|access-date=10 July 2013|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=2 April 2013|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>
*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. [http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-02-07/india/27780786_1_mountain-divisions-offensive-corps-ultralight-howitzers "Army to raise 2 mountain units to counter Pak, China"] {{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 }}. ''[[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, [http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-07-02/india/28166808_1_artillery-division-military-capabilities-sino-indian-border Eye on China, is India adding muscle on East?] {{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 }} 2 2009 July 0325hrs</ref>
 
The major ongoing weapons programmes of the Indian Army are as follows:
 
;Tanks and Armoured vehicles
 
* Arjun MK-IA&nbsp;– main battle tank<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defencenow.com/news/476/arjun-dhruv-get-thumbs-up-from-indian-army-chief.html |title=Arjun, Dhruv Get Thumbs Up From Indian Army Chief |access-date=4 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420121002/http://www.defencenow.com/news/476/arjun-dhruv-get-thumbs-up-from-indian-army-chief.html |archive-date=20 April 2016 }}</ref>
* Futuristic Battle Tank (FMBT)&nbsp;– The FMBT will be a lighter tank of 50 tons. At conceptual stage.
* [[Abhay IFV]]&nbsp;– Future Infantry Combat Vehicle
* [[TATA Kestrel]]&nbsp;– A modern armoured personnel carrier (APC) developed by Tata Motors and the Defence Research and Development Organisation ([[DRDO]]). It is developed with the intention to replace old Soviet-era infantry fighting vehicles (BMP) and APCs in service with Indian army. It is expected to join Indian Army by 2017.
 
[[File:Arjun Mark 1 Alpha.jpg|thumb|right|Indian Army's [[Arjun (tank)|Arjun Mark 1 Alpha]] tank]]
[[File:BRAHMOS Launcher.JPG|right|thumb|The [[BrahMos]] supersonic cruise missile is a crucial component of the Indian Army's strike capabilities.]]
[[File:Light Combat Helicopter Aero India 2013.jpg|alt=|thumb|[[HAL Light Combat Helicopter]] ]]
 
;Aviation
 
* The procurement process for 197 light utility helicopters (LUH) has been scrapped; only 64 will be inducted in the Army Aviation to replace the Cheetak and Cheetah Helicopters.
* [[HAL Light Utility Helicopter]] (LUH)&nbsp;– requirement for 384 helicopters for both the army and air force.
* HAL has obtained a firm order to deliver 114 [[HAL Light Combat Helicopter]]s to the Indian Army.<ref>Shenoy, Ramnath. [http://www.ptinews.com/news/422197_India-to-test-fly-light-combat-helicopters-shortly "India to test fly light combat helicopters shortly"]. [[Press Trust of India]], 14 December 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2010. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091218083937/http://www.ptinews.com/news/422197_India-to-test-fly-light-combat-helicopters-shortly |date=18 December 2009 }}</ref>
 
;Missiles
[[File:AAD Launch Crop.jpg|thumb|[[Advanced Air Defence (AAD)]] missile launch, 2008]]
 
* Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
** [[Agni-V]]&nbsp;– {{cvt|5500|km|mi}}–{{cvt|8,000|km|mi}} Successfully Tested third time canistered version by DRDO on 31 January 2015.
** [[Agni-VI]]&nbsp;– {{cvt|8000|km|mi}}–{{cvt|12,000|km|mi}} range with [[MIRV]]ed warheads. Currently in planning stage.
*Cruise Missiles
** [[Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle|Hypersonic missile]]
** [[Nirbhay|Nirbhay Missile]]
** [[BrahMos]] – M
* Tactical Ballistic Missiles
** [[Prahaar (missile)]]&nbsp;– With a range of {{convert|150|km|mi|-1|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/prahaar-missile-to-be-testfired-on-sunday/167739-60-117.html |title=Prahaar Missile to be test-fired on Sunday |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |date=17 July 2011 |access-date=1 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016161050/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/prahaar-missile-to-be-testfired-on-sunday/167739-60-117.html |archive-date=16 October 2012  }}</ref>
** [[Agni-II (missile)]]&nbsp;– It a ballistic missile with a range of 2000–3500&nbsp;km with a speed of 3.5&nbsp;km/s.
** [[Agni-III (missile)]]&nbsp;– It is the successor to the Agni-II missile with an effective range of 3500–5000&nbsp;km with a speed of 5–6&nbsp;km/s.
** [[Agni-IV]]&nbsp;– Also known as the Agni-II prime in the earlier times, it has an effective range of 4000&nbsp;km and a cruise altitude of 900&nbsp;km.
** [[Shaurya (missile)]]&nbsp;– It has a range of between {{cvt|750|km|mi}}-{{cvt|1900|km|mi}}
* Anti-Tank Guided Missiles
** [[Nag (missile)|Nag Anti-tank guided missile]]&nbsp;– ground and air-launched variant.
* The [[Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme]] is an initiative to develop and deploy a multi-layered ballistic missile defence system to protect India from ballistic missile attacks. It is a double-tiered system consisting of two [[Anti-ballistic missile|interceptor missiles]], namely the [[Prithvi Air Defence|Prithvi Air Defence (PAD)]] missile for high altitude interception, and the [[Advanced Air Defence (AAD)]] Missile for lower altitude interception.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080202110808/http://www.indiatoday.com/itoday/20061211/defence.shtml%26SET%3DT The New Guardian]''India unveils an all new anti-ballistic missile expected to be the fore-runner of a sophisticated air defence system to thwart, among other threats, a [[Pakistan]]i nuclear weapons attack''</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hF8vr43UZ29RmlnKWgtpAmQs81Lg |title=India tests interceptor missile |date=6 March 2009 |access-date=19 April 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602000349/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hF8vr43UZ29RmlnKWgtpAmQs81Lg |archive-date=2 June 2013  }}</ref>
 
;Artillery
 
* Under the Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan, the army plans to procure 3000 to 4000 pieces of artillery at the cost of {{INRConvert|200|b|0}}. This includes purchasing 1580 towed, 814 mounted, 180 self-propelled wheeled, 100 self-propelled tracked, and 145 ultra-light 155&nbsp;mm/39 calibre guns. The requirement for artillery guns would be met with indigenous development and production.<ref>{{cite web |author=Business Standard |url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/155-mm-gun-contract-drdo-entersfray/402834/ |title=155-mm gun contract: DRDO enters the fray |publisher=Business-standard.com |access-date=1 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006061446/http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/155-mm-gun-contract-drdo-entersfray/402834/ |archive-date=6 October 2012  }}</ref>
 
;Small Arms
 
Earlier development efforts of the DRDO to meet the Indian Army's small arms requirements—namely the [[Excalibur rifle]], which was meant to replace the INSAS rifle in service;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/assault-rifle-excalibur-drdo-dalbir-singh-indian-army-arde/1/449238.html|title=Exclusive: Made in India rifles to replace INSAS|access-date=4 April 2016|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> the [[Multi Caliber Individual Weapon System (MCIWS)]]; and the [[Modern Sub Machine Carbine]], a combined venture of ARDE & OFB to develop an assault carbine for the Indian Army based on a platform of experiences from the INSAS rifle—have been halted.
 
The Indian Army has chosen instead to procure 72,400 [[SIG Sauer SIG516#Variants|Sig Sauer SIG 716 G2 Patrol]] high-performance assault rifles for its frontline troops engaged in counter-militancy operations, and the [[CAR 816|Caracal CAR 816]] to meet a requirement of 94,000 close quarter battle carbines.<ref>{{cite web|author=Shiv Aroor|title=First Images Of Indian Army With Their New SIG716 Assault Rifles|date=8 March 2020|website=Livefist Defence.com|url=https://www.livefistdefence.com/2020/03/first-images-of-indian-army-with-their-new-sig716-assault-rifles.html |access-date=30 March 2020}}</ref>
 
To meet the needs of the rest of its soldiers, the army has selected the Russian 7.62&nbsp;mm AK-103/AK-203 assault rifle as a "Make in India" project to manufacture 650,000 rifles through a government-to-government agreement.<ref>{{cite web|author=Shiv Aroor|title=Mega Made-In-India Kalashnikov Assault Rifle Deal Around The Corner|date=1 November 2018|website=Livefist Defence.com|url=https://www.livefistdefence.com/2018/11/mega-made-in-india-kalashnikov-assault-rifle-deal-before-year-end.html|access-date=30 March 2020}}</ref>
 
;Vehicles
 
* [[Tata Motors]] offers a full range of 6×6, 8×8, and 12×12 multi-purpose high mobility carriers, designed especially for integrating specialist rocket and missile systems. The Tata 2038 6×6 vehicle platform has, after rigorous field-firing evaluation trials, been qualified by the Indian Army to carry the GRAD BM21 Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) application.
* [[Mahindra Axe]]&nbsp;– Light utility vehicle to be purchased.
* The army needs 3,000 light support vehicles and 1600 heavy motor vehicles for mounting rockets and radar, and for reconnaissance and transportation, at a cost of Rs 15&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=19731 |title=Indian Military News Headlines |publisher=Bharat-Rakshak.com |access-date=4 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105035922/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=19731 |archive-date=5 November 2012 }}</ref>
 
==See also==
 
* [[Centre for Land Warfare Studies]]
* [[List of serving generals of the Indian Army]]
* [[Paramilitary forces of India]]
* [[Army Day (India)]]
 
==References==
 
;Citations
{{Reflist|30em}}
 
;Bibliography
*{{cite book| title=The Military Balance 2010| author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| author-link1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| author2=Hackett, James (ed.)|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| author2=Hackett, James (ed.)| date=7 March 2012| publisher=[[Routledge]]| location=[[London]]| isbn=978-1857436426| ref=IISS2012}}
*Praval, K.C. Praval ''Indian Army After Independence'' (3rd ed. 2013) [https://www.amazon.com/Indian-Army-After-Independence-ebook/dp/B00DVNCDD0/  excerpt and text search]
*{{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=9781857437225| ref=IISS2014}}
 
==Further reading==
* Wilkinson, Steven I. 2015. [https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674728806 Army and Nation: The Military and Indian Democracy since Independence]. Harvard University Press.
 
==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]]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/army.htm Indian army guide] at ''Global Security''
 
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{{Indian Army Infantry Regiments}}
{{Active corps of the Indian Army}}
{{Indian military academies and colleges}}
{{Current Indian infantry weapons}}
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{{India topics}}
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Revision as of 12:59, 14 November 2021

Flag of the Indian Army

The Indian Army is the part of the Indian Military which operates on land. It is the largest part of the Indian Military.

In 2010, Indian Army had 1,128,000 active personnel and 960,000 personnel.[1] It has more soldiers than any other nation except China and the U.S.[2]

References

  1. ↑ IISS 2010, pp. 360
  2. ↑ "General V K Singh takes over as new Indian Army chief - Times of India ►". The Times of India.
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