The President's Colour Award is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon any
military unit
Military organization or military organisation is the structuring of the armed forces of a state so as to offer such military capability as a national defense policy may require. In some countries paramilitary forces are included in a nation' ...
of India. It is also known as ''′Nishaan′'' which is an emblem that is worn by all unit officers on the left-hand sleeve of their uniform.
The presentation of the award or standards by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of India (
President of India
The president of India ( IAST: ) is the head of state of the Republic of India. The president is the nominal head of the executive, the first citizen of the country, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces. Droupadi Murmu ...
) is an acknowledgement of the unit's meritorious service. While the practice of carrying the Colour into battle has stopped, the tradition of receiving, holding and parading the Colour continues even today in the Armed forces. To this day, the President's Colours is very significant, if the unit lose their colours, it is a disgrace for that unit and, if the unit captured the enemy's colours then it is a great honour for that unit.
The 'Standards' are awarded to Heavy Cavalry and the 'Guidons' are awarded to Light Cavalry.
History
In military organizations, the practice of carrying colours, standards or guidons, both to act as a rallying point for troops and to mark the location of the commander, is thought to have originated in Egypt some about 5,000 years ago.
In Indian context, 'Colours or Standards' are also known as 'Dhwajs or Patakas'. The concept of dhwajs has also roots in the 'Vedas' and 'Puranas'. The armies of the king or emperor were also carries the 'Dhwajs'. If the army lost its dhwaj to the hands of enemy, then it means disgrace and if the army capture the dhwaj of the enemy, then it means an honour. If the army accept the dhwajs of the King/Emperor, then it means that the army has accepted the supremacy of that King/Emperor.
In regiments of infantry of British Army and other armies of commonwealth nations, each battalion carries two colours, which collectively are called as stand. These are large flags 36in × 45in and mounted on a pike which is 8ft7½ in long; the king's/queen's version is usually the version of country's national flag, often trimmed with gold fabric, and with the regiment's insignia placed in the centre. The Regimental colour is a flag of a single colour, usually the colour of the uniform facing (collar/lapels/cuffs) of the regiment, again often trimmed and with the insignia in the centre. Most of the regiments that are designated as 'royal' regiments (that is either have the word 'Royal' or have the sponsorship of a royal personage in their name) have a navy blue colour Regimental Colour. Irish Regiments, today the Royal Irish Regiment, have a dark green Regimental Colour.
With East India Company coming under the control of the English, the regiments in India started as carrying colours of the British Crown. Later, it became the President's Colours.
India became a republic on 26 January 1950. One day earlier on 25 January, all 33 of the King's Colours which had been presented to the Royal Indian Army, Royal Indian Navy, Royal Indian Air Force and their respective commands were "laid up" at the
Indian Military Academy
The Indian Military Academy (IMA) is one of the oldest military academies in India, and trains officers for the Indian Army. Located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, it was established in 1932 following a recommendation by a military committee set up ...
, Dehradun. From, 26 January 1950 onwards, the use of the prefix 'Royal' was discontinued. Later, they became the colours of the President of Republic of India.
On 27 February 1951, the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Sir Edward Parry, wrote to the defence minister
Baldev Singh
Baldev Singh ( pa, ਬਲਦੇਵ ਸਿੰਘ, hi, बलदेव सिंह) (11 July 1902 – 29 June 1961) was an Indian Sikh political leader, he was an Indian independence movement leader and the first Defence Minister of India. Mor ...
: "As you know that India became a Republic, Naval Custom was to parade the King's Colours ashore on the special ceremonial occasions. On and after 26 January 1950, however this practice was ceased and the ordinary Naval Ensign has been paraded instead. It would be a privilege of which the service would be extremely proud if the
President of India
The president of India ( IAST: ) is the head of state of the Republic of India. The president is the nominal head of the executive, the first citizen of the country, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces. Droupadi Murmu ...
would honour the
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the maritime branch of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff, a four-star admiral, commands the navy. As a blue-water navy, it operates sig ...
by presenting to it a special flag which would be paraded on important occasions in the same manner as the King's Colours used to be."
Following the British tradition of the Navy being the senior of the three branches Armed Forces, the
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the maritime branch of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff, a four-star admiral, commands the navy. As a blue-water navy, it operates sig ...
was the first to presented with the President's Colours on 27 May 1951. In the years that followed, as the Navy grew in size and the function, President's Colours were presented to the Naval Commands and the Fleets.
The President's Colours/Standard/Guidon is one of the greatest honours bestowed upon in recognition of exceptional service rendered by it to the nation, both during war and peace.
Design of the Colour
Army Unit Presidential Colour
The President's Colours of Indian Army infantry battalions (both regular line and rifle and scout infantry) follow the format of the line infantry regimental colours of the armies of the Commonwealth (and the King's/Queen's Colours of the Foot Guards of the British Army, in the case of the
Brigade of the Guards
The Brigade of The Guards is a mechanised infantry regiment of the Indian Army. It was raised as the first "all India", "all class" infantry unit of the Army where troops from all parts of India serve together, as opposed to other regiments that ...
). Each Colour is gold fringed and is brought out on major ceremonies. In the center, the heraldic badge and distinctive unit insignia of the reporting regiment is stationed, surrounded by wreaths in which the battalion motto can be seen. On the sides of the colour, which is in the facing colour of the regiment, are the recognized battle honours won by the battalion and the whole of the regiment. Some battle honours of the regiments of line, light and rifle infantry, granted prior to independence to units for battles or campaigns in India against the local rulers or nationalist forces, have been declared as '
repugnant
Repugnant was a Swedish death metal band from Stockholm active from 1998 to 2004. The band has been cited as one of the first revivalists of the Swedish death metal movement, along with Kaamos. They recorded their only studio album ''Epitome o ...
' and are not celebrated or held in esteem, and as in the case of the President's Colours, are not displayed.Singh, Sarbans (1993) ''Battle Honours of the Indian Army 1757 – 1971''. Vision Books (New Delhi) The recognized battle honours are displayed on gold scrolls that surround the unit badge. Unlike the British Army, which does not have colours for the light infantry and rifle regiments, the Indian Army also has President's Colours present in some of these units (following the Russian precedent adopted after the 1971
Bangladesh Liberation War
The Bangladesh Liberation War ( bn, মুক্তিযুদ্ধ, , also known as the Bangladesh War of Independence, or simply the Liberation War in Bangladesh) was a revolution and War, armed conflict sparked by the rise of the Benga ...
), with the first light infantry battalion colour being presented in 1968. These colours follow a similar design to that of the line infantry. The regimental centre colour, regardless of regiment, follows the same design as the battalion colour but with the heraldic arms of the regiment, and carries all the recognized battle honors of that regiment and the regimental motto instead of the battalion's.
The same design of colours is used by the combat and service support formations of the Army with the service or unit badge, motto and the battle honours.
Army Unit President's Standard/Guidon
The President's Standards and Guidons of Indian Army armoured and cavalry formations of the
Indian Army Armoured Corps
The Indian Army Armoured Corps is one of the combat arms of the Indian Army. Tracing its origins from the first regiment formed in 1776, the present corps was formed in 1947 from two-thirds of the personnel and assets of the British Indian Army' ...
, smaller than the colours of the Infantry, have a similar design. All have gold fringe surrounding them, and the unit badge and its motto at the centre of it, surrounded by the recognized battle honors of the unit, all in the facing colour of the unit. The same case for repugnant honours goes for all of these formations of the Armoured Corps. The Standard of the Armoured Corps Centre carries all the Armoured Corps' recognized battle honours.
Units awarded the President's Standard have a design similar to the heavy cavalry regiments of the Commonwealth. Units however granted with the President's Guidon carry a similar design to those of the light cavalry regimental guidons, which are swallow-tailed.
Navy President's Colour
It was the Indian Navy that was the first branch of the Armed Forces to receive the President's Colour in May 1951, one year after India became a republic of the Commonwealth. This colour, the President's Colour of the Navy, is the basis of the President's colours of all commands and services of the Navy. It is also awarded to ground naval bases and, as the President's Standard, to all naval combat and service support formations.
Similar to the case of the Royal Navy, all colours share the identical design of the President's Colour, which in turn, is based on the former design of the Indian Naval Ensign. Unlike the RN Ensign the old design was unique that it has a golden elephant, symbol of the nation, on the bottom left side of the colour. It as always been in white and fringed in gold, with the national flag on the canton with the St. George's Cross, symbolizing the roots of the Navy in the
Royal Indian Marine
Royal may refer to:
People
* Royal (name), a list of people with either the surname or given name
* A member of a royal family
Places United States
* Royal, Arkansas, an unincorporated community
* Royal, Illinois, a village
* Royal, Iowa, a cit ...
, with the
State Emblem of India
The State Emblem of India is the national emblem of the Republic of India and is used by the union government, many state governments, and other government agencies. The emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka, an ancient sculptur ...
at the center, in gold, under which, written in
Devanagari
Devanagari ( ; , , Sanskrit pronunciation: ), also called Nagari (),Kathleen Kuiper (2010), The Culture of India, New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, , page 83 is a left-to-right abugida (a type of segmental Writing systems#Segmental syste ...
script, is the national motto ''
Satyameva Jayate
Satyameva Jayate (, ) is a part of a ''mantra'' from the Hindu scripture '' Mundaka Upanishad''. Following the independence of India, it was adopted as the national motto of India on 26 January 1950, the day India became a republic.
It is inscri ...
(Truth Alone Triumphs)''. There are no battle honours in the President's Colours unlike those in the other services.
In 2022 a new design of the President's Colours and Standards for the Navy and all naval commands, services and bases and formations was released to replace the old design. It retains much the design of the 2001-04 ensign and the gold fringe, but instead of the arms of that emblem, its feature on the fly is a octagonal navy blue shield - the official new heraldic emblem of the force - based on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's's royal seal surrounding the heraldic arms in gold, which also corrects a long omission from that ensign as well - the addition of, in Devanagari, the official motto of the Navy - ''May the Lord of Waters Be Auspicious Unto Us'' (''Shaṁ No Varunaḥ''). The shield is also gold fringed with two gold borders. The octagon represents the Navy's missions of national maritime defense and its multi-directional reach. The new design of the arms is the State Emblem atop a clear anchor in gold. Atop the emblem is the State Emblem and the national motto from the old design.
Air Force President's Colour/Standard
All Indian Air Force air combat and combat support formations carry the President's Standard, which is in sky blue with the squadron or helicopter unit heraldic arms with the recognized battle honours given to these formations similar to those of the Army. Since it was established in 1932, there are no ''repugnant'' battle honours in these Standards, as the battle honours for these formations date beginning to the Second World War, the force's baptism of fire, and onwards.
The President's Colour is carried by Indian Air Force service support, education and training institutions and it uses the same design as in the President's Standard. It is also carried by air base and air station personnel and carries the same battle honours.
The Air Force itself has its own President's Colour - a gold fringed version of the official service ensign with the gold elephant on top of the air force roundel.
The ceremony of presentation of colours
The formation for the ceremonial parade is a battalion-sized (100–500 soldiers) formation of military units of an armed forces formation (from either the navy, army and air force) or a law enforcement formation. Four to eight companies is the usual size of the parade and a
military band
A military band is a group of personnel that performs musical duties for military functions, usually for the armed forces. A typical military band consists mostly of wind and percussion instruments. The conductor of a band commonly bears the tit ...
combined with a
pipe band
A pipe band is a musical ensemble consisting of Bagpipes, pipers and drummers. The term pipes and drums, used by military pipe bands is also common.
The most common form of pipe band consists of a section of pipers playing the Great Highland b ...
providing the ceremonial music is present. The parade commander, the Field Officer holding the rank of a major or lieutenant colonel (commander or lieutenant commander in the navy, wing commander or squadron leader in the air force), takes his place in the center of the parade field, assisted by the Second-in-Command and the Parade Adjutant. All wear full dress uniform.
The
President of India
The president of India ( IAST: ) is the head of state of the Republic of India. The president is the nominal head of the executive, the first citizen of the country, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces. Droupadi Murmu ...
, the ceremony's guest of honour, arrives as the parade renders a full National Salute as the National Anthem ''
Jana Gana Mana
"" (Sanskrit: जन गण मन) is the national anthem of the Republic of India. It was originally composed as '' Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata'' in Bengali by polymath Rabindranath Tagore. The first stanza of the song ''Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata' ...
'' is played by the band and a
21-gun salute
A 21-gun salute is the most commonly recognized of the customary gun salutes that are performed by the firing of cannons or artillery as a military honor. As naval customs evolved, 21 guns came to be fired for heads of state, or in exceptiona ...
is fired (occasionally by the Indian Army Regiment of Artillery). After the anthem, the parade is inspected, as the band plays a slow march. If any old colours are present, they are marched out of the field for the final time as the new colours of the unit are about to replace these colours, and the parade renders a salute as the audience in the grandstand stands in respect and the President, together with the service chiefs, salutes it one final time.
Then, the Sarvadharma Samaroh begins. A drum altar had been formed by members of the band and the unit pipe band, and the new colour, which had already been removed of its cloth case, is brought there by the quartermaster of the unit. Afterwards, the ''Nishaan'' is consecrated by military chaplains of religions represented in the Armed Forces (Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity and Islam). Then, the President's Colour is received by an officer designated as Nishan Adhikari on behalf of the military or police unit (in question) during the parade by the President or any other designated person on behalf of him or her, who serves as the unit ensign (holding rank of lieutenant in the Army, sublieutenant in the Navy and flying officer in the Air Force). Then, the ceremony ends with the National Anthem as the colour is marched into the parade formation, which salutes the colour. The drummers then return to their places in the band. Following that, the battalion marches past in quick time with the new colours before returning to their places. (If in the Navy, the Colour is dipped in the President's presence while marching past, and is recovered after passing the grandstand). If the parade marches past in slow time before the quick march segment the same pattern is observe with the sole exception of the Navy's colour which is also dipped in a slow time march.
With this portion being complete, the President or delegated reviewing officer will briefly address the regiment of which he/she presented the colours to, which will be concluded with the speaker expressing confidence in the unit, before that the unit commander makes his address of gratitude thanking the reviewing officer for their words and for their presence in the ceremony. After that, an Advance in Review Order is done, and one final National Salute is rendered. After the final salute, the battalion, together with the band and pipes and drums, marches off in quick time, and the colour guard squad marches off the field.
For Indian Armed Forces if the President is absent
In the absence of the President of India, the Vice President of India does not present colours to regiments, ships or air squadrons. The responsibility of being the guest of honour in his or her absence is prerogative of the Services Chiefs and as such, a General Salute is performed as the band plays appropriate music.
For federal and state police forces and organizations if the President is absent
When the president is absent, the federal Minister of Home Affairs or at times the Vice President or Prime Minister serves as delegate in any colour presentation ceremony to federal and/or state police forces. As such, a General Salute is performed by the parade assembled as the band plays appropriate music unless the National Anthem is played in the Vice President's presence.
Salutes are also given in a presentation ceremony to state governors who are acting on behalf of the President and in the name of their state governments.
President's Colours awarded to the State and UT Police Forces
Police commissionerates
State Armed Police Forces
President's Colours awarded to the Forces of various Ministries of the Government of India
#
Ministry of Railways
A Ministry of Railways is a Cabinet department that exists or has existed in many Commonwealth states as well as others. It generally occurs in countries where railroad transportation is a particularly important part of the national infrastructur ...
##
Railway Protection Force
Railway Protection Force is a security force under the ownership of Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways, Government of India established by the Railway Protection Force Act, 1957; enacted by the Indian Parliament for "the better protection ...
(RPF). On 22 March 2006, the President of India
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (; 15 October 193127 July 2015) was an Indian aerospace scientist and statesman who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He was born and raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu and studied phy ...
awarded the President's Colours to the RPF, at New Delhi.
#
Ministry of Home Affairs (India)
The Ministry of Home Affairs (IAST: ''Gṛha Maṃtrālaya''), or simply the Home Ministry, is a ministry of the Government of India. As an interior ministry of India, it is mainly responsible for the maintenance of internal security and dome ...
##
Central Armed Police Forces
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) is the collective name of central police organisations in India under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). These are technically paramilitary forces formerly known as Central Para-Military Forces (CPMF). Since ...
###
Central Reserve Police Force
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is a federal police organisation in India under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of the Government of India. It is one among the Central Armed Police Forces. The CRPF's primary role li ...
(CRPF).On 19 March 1950,
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (; ; 31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950), commonly known as Sardar, was an Indian lawyer, influential political leader, barrister and statesman who served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of I ...
, the
Home Minister of India
The Minister of Home Affairs (or simply, the Home Minister, short-form HM) is the head of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India. One of the senior-most officers in the Union Cabinet, the chief responsibility of the Home Minist ...
presented the President's Colours to the CRPF. CRPF was the first CAPF which was awarded with the 'Colours'.
####
Rapid Action Force
The Rapid Action Force (RAF) is a specialised wing of the Central Reserve Police Force of India to deal with riot and crowd control situations.
History
RAF was raised on 11 December 1991 with headquarters in New Delhi. It became fully oper ...
(RAF). On 7 October 2003,
L. K. Advani
Lal Krishna Advani (born 8 November 1927) is an Indian politician who served as the 7th Deputy Prime Minister of India from 2002 to 2004. Advani is one of the co-founders and a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is a longtime memb ...
, the
Deputy Prime Minister of India
The deputy prime minister of India ( IAST: ''Bhārat Ke Upapradhānamantri'') is the second highest ranking minister of the Union in the executive branch of the Government of India and is a senior member of the Union Council of Ministers. The off ...
and the
Home Minister of India
The Minister of Home Affairs (or simply, the Home Minister, short-form HM) is the head of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India. One of the senior-most officers in the Union Cabinet, the chief responsibility of the Home Minist ...
presented the President's Colours to the RAF.
###
Sashastra Seema Bal
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB; ) is a border guarding force of India deployed along its borders with Nepal and Bhutan. It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The fo ...
(SSB). On 27 March 2004, the President's Colours were awarded to the SSB by the Deputy Prime Minister Shri
L.K. Advani
Lal Krishna Advani (born 8 November 1927) is an Indian politician who served as the 7th Deputy Prime Minister of India from 2002 to 2004. Advani is one of the co-founders and a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is a longtime memb ...
.
###
Indo-Tibetan Border Police
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is a border patrol organization of India deployed along its borders with Tibet Autonomous Region. It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces, established in 1962 in the aftermath of the Sino-Indian ...
. On June 20, 1987, Prime Minister
Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Gandhi (; 20 August 1944 – 21 May 1991) was an Indian politician who served as the sixth prime minister of India from 1984 to 1989. He took office after the 1984 assassination of his mother, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, to beco ...
presented the 'colors' to the ITBP.
###
Central Industrial Security Force
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is a federal police organisation in India under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is one among the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). CISF provides security to over 356 industrial units (including 1 ...
(CISF). was raised on 10 March 1969 and CISF celebrates its raising day every year on 10 March. The Prime Minister P. V.
Narsimha Rao
Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao (28 June 1921 – 23 December 2004) was an Indian lawyer, statesman and politician who served as the 9th prime minister of India from 1991 to 1996. He is known for introducing various liberal reforms to Indi ...
also presented the 'Colours' to the CISF on 10 March 1994, at Ghaziabad.
###
Border Security Force
The Border Security Force (BSF) is India's border guarding organisation on its border with Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) of India, and was raised in the wake of the 1965 war on 1 December 1 ...
. On March, 1984, The 'colours' was presented by the Home Minister
Prakash Chandra Sethi
Prakash Chandra Sethi (19 October 1919 – 21 February 1996) was an Indian National Congress politician who served as Minister of Home Affairs (1982–84) and as the 8th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh (1972–75).
He was twice the chief mi ...
to the BSF.
##
Assam Rifles
The Assam Rifles (AR) is a central paramilitary force responsible for border security, counter-insurgency, and maintaining law and order in Northeast India. It guards the Indo-Myanmar border. The Assam rifles is the oldest paramilitary force ...
. Assam Rifles was awarded with the 'COLOURS' by the Hon'ble President
Giani Zail Singh
Giani Zail Singh (, born Jarnail Singh; 5 May 1916 – 25 December 1994) was an Indian politician from Punjab who served as the seventh president of India from 1982 to 1987. He was the first Sikh and the first person from a backward caste to bec ...
on 29 Mar, 1985.
##
National Security Guards
The National Security Guard (NSG), commonly known as Black Cats, is a counter-terrorism unit of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It was founded on 16 October 1984, following Operation Blue Star, for combating terrorist activities and p ...
(NSG) ( Special Forces of India). On 16 October 2004, the President's Colours were awarded to the NSG by the President
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (; 15 October 193127 July 2015) was an Indian aerospace scientist and statesman who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He was born and raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu and studied phy ...
at New Delhi.
##
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) is the civil service training institution in India. The institute trains Indian Police Service (IPS) officers before they are sent to their respective state cadres to carry out their dut ...
(SVPNPA) On 15 September, 1988, SVPNPA was awarded with the President's Colours.
#Ministry of Defence
##Interservice Institutions of Defence
###
Defence Services Staff College
, motto_lang = sa
, mottoeng = ''To War with Wisdom''
, established = (as the ''Army Staff College'', Deolali)
, type = Defence Service Training Institute
, affiliation =
, endowment =
, administrative_staff =
, faculty =
, presi ...
, Wellington, Tamil Nadu.
Defence Services Staff College
, motto_lang = sa
, mottoeng = ''To War with Wisdom''
, established = (as the ''Army Staff College'', Deolali)
, type = Defence Service Training Institute
, affiliation =
, endowment =
, administrative_staff =
, faculty =
, presi ...
was awarded on 9 September 2016, by the President
Pranab Mukherjee
Dr. Pranab Mukherjee (11 December 193531 August 2020) was an Indian politician and statesman who served as the 13th president of India from 2012 until 2017. In a political career spanning five decades, Mukherjee was a senior leader in the India ...
.
President's Colours awarded to the
Indian Armed Forces
The Indian Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of India. It consists of three professional uniformed services: the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.—— Additionally, the Indian Armed Forces are supported by ...
Indian Coast Guard
On 1 December 2002, the President of India
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (; 15 October 193127 July 2015) was an Indian aerospace scientist and statesman who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He was born and raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu and studied phy ...
awarded the prestigious President's Colours to the
Indian Coast Guard
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is a maritime law enforcement and search and rescue agency of India with jurisdiction over its territorial waters including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone. The Indian Coast Guard was formally esta ...
, at the Indian Coast Guard Air Station Daman.
Indian Army
*Infantry Regiments of the Indian Army
#
Madras Regiment
The Madras Regiment is the oldest infantry regiment of the Indian Army, originating in the 1750s. The regiment took part in numerous campaigns with both the British Indian Army and the post-independence Indian Army.
History
The town of Madras wa ...
.
#* Madras Regimental Centre with 15 Units of Madras Regiment were awarded on 23 May 1970, by the President
V. V. Giri
Varahagiri Venkata Giri (; 10 August 1894 — 24 June 1980) was an Indian politician and activist from Berhampur in Odisha who served as the 4th president of India from 24 August 1969 to 24 August 1974. He also 3rd vice president of India from ...
.
#* 27 Madras and 28 Madras were awarded on 23 September 1978, by the COAS Om Prakash Malhotra.
#* 11 Madras and 12 Madras on 19 May 1982, were awarded by the COAS Kotikalapudi Venkata Krishna Rao.
#* 10 Madras was awarded on 15 April 1988, by the COAS
Krishnaswamy Sundarji
General Krishnaswamy "Sundarji" Sundararajan, (28 April 1928 – 8 February 1999) was the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army from 1986 to 1988. He was the last former British Indian Army officer to command the Indian Army.
Dur ...
.
#* 20 Madras Battalion and 21 Madras Battalion of Madras Regiment were awarded on 5 April 2015, at Wellington Military Station by General
Dalbir Singh
General Dalbir Singh Suhag, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC (born 28 December 1954) is the former Indian High Commissioner to Seychelles and a former Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army. He was the 25th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the In ...
, Chief of Army Staff, on behalf of the President.
#
Punjab Regiment Punjab Regiment may refer to the following existing units:
*Punjab Regiment (India)
*Punjab Regiment (Pakistan)
From 1922 to 1947, the British Indian Army included 6 numbered Punjab Regiments:
*1st Punjab Regiment
* 2nd Punjab Regiment
*8th Punj ...
.
#* On 18 Mar 1969, Dr Zakir Husain, the President of India, presented the new colours to the Punjab Regiment at Meerut.
#* On 16 Feb 1985, Gen AS Vaidya, Chief of the Army Staff presented colours to the three Battalions of the Punjab Regiment.
#* The 28 Punjab Regiment was presented colours on 3 February 2004 at a ceremony at the Kila Hari Drill Square at the Punjab Regimental Centre, Ramgarh Cantt by Gen NC Vij, Chief of the Army Staff.
#* On 25 September 2019, Army Chief General
Bipin Rawat
General Bipin Rawat (16 March 1958 – 8 December 2021) was an Indian military officer who was a four-star general of the Indian Army. He served as the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Indian Armed Forces from January 2020 u ...
presented the 'President's Colours' to 29th and 30th battalions of the Punjab Regiment, on the behalf of the President of India, at the Punjab Regimental Centre, Ramgarh, Jharkhand .
#
Bihar Regiment
The Bihar Regiment is an Indian Army infantry regiment. It traces its origins back to the British Indian Army. The Bihar Regiment was formed in 1941 by regularising the 11th (Territorial) Battalion, the 19th Hyderabad Regiment, and r ...
.
#* The first Colour presentation of the Regiment was held on 26 November 1970. G S Pathak, Vice President of India, during an impressive ceremonial parade presented new Colours to the centre and ten battalions.
#* On 29 November 1991, 16 BIHAR and 17 BIHAR were Presented Colours by the Chief of the Army Staff General SF Rodrigues.
#* General
Dalbir Singh
General Dalbir Singh Suhag, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC (born 28 December 1954) is the former Indian High Commissioner to Seychelles and a former Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army. He was the 25th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the In ...
, the Chief of the Army Staff, on 19 November 2016, presented the President's Colours to the 18th, 19th and 20th battalions of the Bihar Regiment at the Bihar Regimental Centre, Danapur.
#
Kumaon Regiment
The Kumaon Regiment is one of the oldest infantry regiments of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its origins to the 18th century and has fought in every major campaign of the British Indian Army and the Indian Army, including the two world war ...
.
#* 4 Kumaon was the first battalion of the Indian Army to be presented with the 'Colours' on April 7, 1961, by the first President of India, Dr
Rajendra Prasad
Rajendra Prasad (3 December 1884 – 28 February 1963) was an Indian politician, lawyer, Indian independence activist, journalist & scholar who served as the first president of Republic of India from 1950 to 1962. He joined the Indian Nationa ...
.
#* On October 27, 1970, in a ceremony where old colours were laid down and the new 'Colours' were presented by the President
Varahagiri Venkata Giri
Varahagiri Venkata Giri (; 10 August 1894 — 24 June 1980) was an Indian politician and activist from Berhampur in Odisha who served as the 4th president of India from 24 August 1969 to 24 August 1974. He also 3rd vice president of India from ...
, at Ranikhet.
#
Assam Regiment
The Assam Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. The regiment consists of 25 battalions: 15 regular battalions, 3 Rashtriya Rifles battalions, 5 Territorial Army battalions (including 2 ecological battalions). It recruits exclusiv ...
.
#* On 4 February 1976, President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed presented new 'colours' to the Assam Regiment, at Jorhat.
#* General
Dalbir Singh
General Dalbir Singh Suhag, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC (born 28 December 1954) is the former Indian High Commissioner to Seychelles and a former Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army. He was the 25th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the In ...
, COAS presented the 'colours' to the 16 & 17 ASSAM on 16 November 2016, at ARC Shillong.
#
Arunachal Scouts
The Arunachal Scouts is an infantry regiment of Indian army based in Arunachal Pradesh. Specialising in mountain warfare the regiment was established with the purpose of defending the Indian-Chinese border in Arunachal Pradesh. A large proportion ...
.
#* General
Dalbir Singh
General Dalbir Singh Suhag, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC (born 28 December 1954) is the former Indian High Commissioner to Seychelles and a former Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army. He was the 25th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the In ...
, COAS presented the 'colours' to the 1 & 2 Arunachal Scouts on 16 November 2016, at ARC Shillong.
#
Ladakh Scouts
The Ladakh Scouts is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army, nicknamed the "Snow Warriors" or "Snow Leopards". The regiment specialises in mountain warfare, and its primary role is to guard India's borders in the high altitudes of the Union ...
.
#*Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre and all five battalions of the Regiment were awarded on 27 August 2017, at Leh, Ladakh by President
Ramnath Kovind
Ram Nath Kovind (; born 1 October 1945) is an Indian politician who served as the 14th President of India from 2017 to 2022. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is the second person after K. R. Narayanan, from the Dalit community ...
.
#
Jat Regiment
The Jat Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army, of which it is one of the longest-serving regiments.
#* The First Indian Colours were presented to fourteen bns and the centre by President Dr Zakir Hussain on 23rd Nov 1967 at the Jat Regt Centre, Bareilly. This also holds the record for the maximum number of colours given to Units during one Colour presentation ceremony.
#** The Units those awarded - 1st Bn, 2nd Bn, 3rd Bn, 4th Bn, 5th Bn, 6th Bn, 7th Bn, 8th Bn, 9th Bn, 11th Bn, 14th Bn, 16th Bn, 17th Bn & 18th Bn.
#* The second set of Colours was presented to three more bns of the Regt by Chief of Army Staff Gen KV Krishna Rao, PVSM, ADC on 23 Nov 1983 at The Jat Regt Centre, Bareilly.
#** The Units those awarded - 12th Bn, 15th Bn & 19th Bn.
#* The third set of Colours was given to the Regt during the bicentenary celebrations by Chief of Army Staff Gen Shankar Roy Choudhury, PVSM, ADC on 20 Nov 1995 at The Jat Regt Centre, Bareilly, with this set of colour presentations all the eighteen regular bns had received the President's Colours.
#** The Units those awarded - 20th Bn & 21st Bn.
#* 1 JAT (LI) which traces its history back to 1803 laid to rest its sixth colour (first after independence) given by President Dr Zakir Hussain on 23rd Nov 1967 at JRC and received its seventh colour as 2 Mech Inf (1 JAT LI) on 22nd Feb 1988 at Ahmednagar from President Dr R Venkatraman.
#
Rajput Regiment
The Rajput Regiment is one of the oldest infantry regiments of the Indian Army, tracing its origins back to 1778 with the raising of the 24th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry. The 1st battalion of the regiment was formed in 1798.
After Worl ...
.
#* On 17 November 1966, in a ceremony at Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh, old colours were laid down and the new 'colours' were awarded to the Rajput Regiment by then President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.
#
Dogra Regiment
The Dogra Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its roots directly from the 17th Dogra Regiment of the British Indian Army. When transferred to the Indian Army like its sister regiments, the numeral prefix ...
.
#* On 8 November 1968, the President Dr.
Zakir Husain
Zakir Husain Khan (8 February 1897 – 3 May 1969) was an Indian educationist and politician who served as the third president of India from 13 May 1967 until his death on 3 May 1969.
Born in Hyderabad in a Afridi Pashtun family, Husain ...
presented new 'colours' to all battalions of the Dogra Regiment, and old colours received on 15 February 1930 were laid to rest at the Dogra Regimental Centre, Meerut.
#* On 24 November 1979, the COAS, General Om Prakash Malhotra presented the 'colours' to the 11th & 12th Battalion of the Dogra Regiment.
#* On 18 February 1984, the COAS, General A S Vaidya presented the 'colours' to the 17th Dogra Battalion at Faizabad.
#* On 3 March 1993, the COAS, General
Sunith Francis Rodrigues
General Sunith Francis Rodrigues, PVSM, VSM (19 September 1933 – 4 March 2022) was an Indian army officer who was Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army from 1990 to 1993 and Governor of Punjab from 2004 to 2010.
Early life and educat ...
presented the 'colours' to the 18th Dogra Battalion.
#* On 22 February 2003, the COAS, General N C Vij presented the 'colours' to the 16th Battalion.
#* On 24 March 2022, the COAS, General
Manoj Mukund Naravane
General Manoj Mukund Naravane (born 22 April 1960) is a retired Indian Army General who served as the 27th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), as well as the temporary Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee from 15 December 2021 until his supe ...
presented the 'colours' to the 20 DOGRA & 21 DOGRA battalions, at Faizabad, UP, in the presence of Former COAS General (Retd.) NC Vij.
#
Sikh Regiment
The Sikh Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. Sikh regiment is the highest decorated regiment of the Indian Army and in 1979, the 1st battalion was the Commonwealth's most decorated battalion with 245 pre-independence and 82 ...
.
#* On 2 March 1968, the Sikh Regiment was awarded with new colours by then President Zakir Hussain, at Meerut.
#
Mahar Regiment
The Mahar Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. Although it was originally intended to be a regiment consisting of troops from the Mahar community of Maharashtra, today the Mahar Regiment is composed of different communities from ...
.
#* On 3 February 1970, President V. V. Giri presented the new 'colours' to the Mahar Regiment, at Sagar.
#* 20 MAHAR and 21 MAHAR Battalions of the
Mahar Regiment
The Mahar Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. Although it was originally intended to be a regiment consisting of troops from the Mahar community of Maharashtra, today the Mahar Regiment is composed of different communities from ...
were awarded on 4 November 2016, at Saugor Military Station by General Dalbir Singh, Chief of Army Staff, on behalf of the President.
#
Naga Regiment
The Naga Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. It is among the youngest regiments of the Indian Army - the first battalion was raised in Ranikhet, Kumaon in 1970. The regiment recruits mainly from Nagaland, in northeast India.
Hi ...
.
#* 1 Naga was presented with the ‘Colours’ on 6 May 1978 at Dehradun by Shri
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (; 19 May 1913 – 1 June 1996) was an Indian politician who served as the sixth President of India, serving from 1977 to 1982. Beginning a long political career with the Indian National Congress Party in the independence ...
, the President of India.
#* 2 Naga was presented with the ‘Colours’ on 10 May 1990 by Gen Vishwa Nath Sharma, the Chief of the Army Staff.
#
Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry
The Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI) is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. The regimental center is in Srinagar's Airport Complex at Awantipora with a winter setup near Jammu. Its regimental insignia consists of a pair of crossed ri ...
.
#* On 9 October 1998, the President K. R. Narayan presented the'colours'to the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry.
#* On 4 November 2006, The COAS General J. J. Singh presented the President's 'colours' to the 17th battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) Regiment.
#
Sikh Light Infantry
The Sikh Light Infantry is a light infantry regiment of the Indian Army.Maratha Light Infantry
The Maratha Light Infantry is a light infantry regiment of the Indian Army. It traces its lineage to the Bombay Sepoys, raised in 1768, making it the most senior light infantry regiment in the Indian Army. The class composition of the regiment ...
.
#* In 1968, the new 'colours' were presented to the regiment by President Zakir Hussain.
#** In 1968, 9th Maratha LI was awarded with the President's Colours by the President Zakir Hussain and was received by Gen JJ Singh (later COAS).
#* 23 Maratha Light Infantry and 24 Maratha Light Infantry were presented the President's Colours at the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre on 4 November 2017 by the COAS, General
Bipin Rawat
General Bipin Rawat (16 March 1958 – 8 December 2021) was an Indian military officer who was a four-star general of the Indian Army. He served as the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Indian Armed Forces from January 2020 u ...
on behalf of the President
Ramnath Kovind
Ram Nath Kovind (; born 1 October 1945) is an Indian politician who served as the 14th President of India from 2017 to 2022. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is the second person after K. R. Narayanan, from the Dalit community ...
.
#
The Grenadiers
The Grenadiers is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army, formerly part of the Bombay Army and later the pre-independence British Indian Army, when the regiment was known as the 4th Bombay Grenadiers. It has distinguished itself during the tw ...
.
#* On 19 December 1964, President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan presented new Regimental Colours to all battalions of the Grenadiers Regiment of the Indian Army at a ceremonial parade at the Regimental Centre at Nasirabad.
#* On 10 December 2015, The COAS, General
Dalbir Singh
General Dalbir Singh Suhag, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC (born 28 December 1954) is the former Indian High Commissioner to Seychelles and a former Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army. He was the 25th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the In ...
awarded the 'colours' to the 23 Grenadiers and the 24 Grenadiers, at Jabalpur.
# Parachute Regiment (SF).
#* On 6 October 1967, President Zakir Hussain presented the new 'colours' to the Parachute Regiment, at Gwalior, MP.
#* COAS General MM Naravane presented the ‘President’s Colours’ to four parachute battalions – 11 PARA (Special Forces), 21 PARA (Special Forces), 23 PARA and 29 PARA – at the Parachute Regiment Training Centre in Bengaluru on February 23, 2022.
*Mechanised Regiments
#
Mechanised Infantry Regiment
The Mechanised Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army, comprising 27 battalions dispersed under various armoured formations throughout India. Together with the 21 battalions of Brigade of the Guards, they form part of the ' ...
#* The President Colours were awarded to the Regiment on 24 February 1988 at Mechanised Infantry Regimental Centre (MIRe), Ahmednagar, in a unique parade where 14 Colours were laid down and 24 Colours presented.
#** 2 Mech Inf (1 JAT LI) was awarded with colours on 22nd Feb 1988 at Ahmednagar from President Dr R Venkatraman.
#* Mech Inf was presented Colours on 04 Dec 1996 at Jodhpur by General Shankar Roy Chowdhary, PVSM, ADC, Chief of the Army Staff.
#The
Brigade of the Guards
The Brigade of The Guards is a mechanised infantry regiment of the Indian Army. It was raised as the first "all India", "all class" infantry unit of the Army where troops from all parts of India serve together, as opposed to other regiments that ...
.
#* 4 Guards Mechanised (1 Rajput) was awarded with the President's Colours on its establishment on 1950.
#* First Guards (2 Punjab) was presented with the Colors by President, Dr S. Radhakrishnan at Red Fort, New Delhi on September 26, 1962. Also, 1 GUARDS (2 PUNJAB) has the distinction of being the first and only battalion to receive Colours from the President in front of the Red Fort.
#* The Centre and the 2nd to 14th battalions received Colours from the President at Kota on 16 Mar 1973 at a huge, colourful ceremony, one of the largest ever.
#* 15 to 19 GUARDS were presented with colours by successive COAS at Kamptee.
*Regiments of the
Indian Army Armoured Corps
The Indian Army Armoured Corps is one of the combat arms of the Indian Army. Tracing its origins from the first regiment formed in 1776, the present corps was formed in 1947 from two-thirds of the personnel and assets of the British Indian Army' ...
#
President's Bodyguard
The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is the senior-most regiment in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and ...
#* Ist Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. On May 14, 1957, Dr
Rajendra Prasad
Rajendra Prasad (3 December 1884 – 28 February 1963) was an Indian politician, lawyer, Indian independence activist, journalist & scholar who served as the first president of Republic of India from 1950 to 1962. He joined the Indian Nationa ...
, the first
President of India
The president of India ( IAST: ) is the head of state of the Republic of India. The president is the nominal head of the executive, the first citizen of the country, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces. Droupadi Murmu ...
, presented his Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the
President's Bodyguard
The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is the senior-most regiment in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and ...
.
#** Dr. Prasad's personal standard was presented to the regiment on 18 Jan 1958 by the President himself, which was later abolished in 1971.
#** In November, 1958, The President Dr.
Rajendra Prasad
Rajendra Prasad (3 December 1884 – 28 February 1963) was an Indian politician, lawyer, Indian independence activist, journalist & scholar who served as the first president of Republic of India from 1950 to 1962. He joined the Indian Nationa ...
presented a new Regimental Standard to the PBG, the previous Regimental Standard having been laid up after
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
became a republic. The old regimental standard rests in the Regiment's Officer's mess.
#* 2nd Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. When the second
President of India
The president of India ( IAST: ) is the head of state of the Republic of India. The president is the nominal head of the executive, the first citizen of the country, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces. Droupadi Murmu ...
, Dr.
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (; 5 September 1888 – 17 April 1975), natively Radhakrishnayya, was an Indian philosopher and statesman. He served as the 2nd President of India from 1962 to 1967. He also 1st Vice President of India from 1952 ...
assumed the office, he presented his banner to the
President's Bodyguard
The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is the senior-most regiment in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and ...
on 21 October 1962.
#** The new President's Standard and the Regimental Standard were awarded to the
President's Bodyguard
The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is the senior-most regiment in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and ...
by the President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan on 11 November 1963.
#* 3rd Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. The president had approved the presentation of the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner but the ceremony could not be held due to his untimely demise. The trumpet and trumpet banner were later presented informally, with respect to the presidency of Dr.
Zakir Husain
Zakir Husain Khan (8 February 1897 – 3 May 1969) was an Indian educationist and politician who served as the third president of India from 13 May 1967 until his death on 3 May 1969.
Born in Hyderabad in a Afridi Pashtun family, Husain ...
(1967–69).
#* 4th Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. President
Varahagiri Venkata Giri
Varahagiri Venkata Giri (; 10 August 1894 — 24 June 1980) was an Indian politician and activist from Berhampur in Odisha who served as the 4th president of India from 24 August 1969 to 24 August 1974. He also 3rd vice president of India from ...
presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the
President's Bodyguard
The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is the senior-most regiment in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and ...
at New Delhi.
#* 5th Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. On 24 December 1978, President Dr.
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (; 19 May 1913 – 1 June 1996) was an Indian politician who served as the sixth President of India, serving from 1977 to 1982. Beginning a long political career with the Indian National Congress Party in the independence ...
presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the
President's Bodyguard
The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is the senior-most regiment in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and ...
at New Delhi.
#* 6th Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. On 6 October 1983, President Dr.
Giani Zail Singh
Giani Zail Singh (, born Jarnail Singh; 5 May 1916 – 25 December 1994) was an Indian politician from Punjab who served as the seventh president of India from 1982 to 1987. He was the first Sikh and the first person from a backward caste to bec ...
presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the
President's Bodyguard
The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is the senior-most regiment in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and ...
at New Delhi.
#* 7th Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. On 24 October 1988, President Dr.
Ramaswamy Venkataraman
Ramaswamy Venkataraman (, 4 December 191027 January 2009) was an Indian lawyer, Indian independence activist and politician who served as a Union Minister and as the eighth president of India.
Venkataraman was born in Rajamadam village in Ta ...
presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the
President's Bodyguard
The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is the senior-most regiment in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and ...
at New Delhi.
#* 8th Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. On 18 October 1993, President Dr.
Shankar Dayal Sharma
Shankar Dayal Sharma (; 19 August 1918 – 26 December 1999) was an Indian lawyer and politician from the state of Madhya Pradesh who served as the ninth President of India, from 1992 to 1997.
Born in Bhopal, Sharma studied at Agra, Allahaba ...
presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the
President's Bodyguard
The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is the senior-most regiment in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and ...
at New Delhi.
#* 9th Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. On 18 November 1998, the President Shri K. R. Narayan presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the
President's Bodyguard
The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is the senior-most regiment in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and ...
at the
Rashtrapati Bhavan
The Rashtrapati Bhavan (, rāsh-truh-puh-ti bha-vun; ; originally Viceroy's House and later Government House) is the official residence of the President of India at the western end of Rajpath, Raisina Hill, New Delhi, India. Rashtrapati Bh ...
, New Delhi.
#* 10th Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. On 2 December 2005, The
President of India
The president of India ( IAST: ) is the head of state of the Republic of India. The president is the nominal head of the executive, the first citizen of the country, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces. Droupadi Murmu ...
Dr.
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (; 15 October 193127 July 2015) was an Indian aerospace scientist and statesman who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He was born and raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu and studied phy ...
presented the 10th Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the
President's Bodyguard
The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is the senior-most regiment in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and ...
#* 11th Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. On 2 March 2008, The
President of India
The president of India ( IAST: ) is the head of state of the Republic of India. The president is the nominal head of the executive, the first citizen of the country, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces. Droupadi Murmu ...
Smt.
Pratibha Patil
Prathibha DeviSingh Patil (born 19 December 1934) is an Indian politician and lawyer who served as the 12th president of India spanning from 2007 to 2012. She is the first woman to become the president of India. A member of the Indian National ...
presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the
President's Bodyguard
The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is the senior-most regiment in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and ...
in an impressive ceremony held at the forecourt of the
Rashtrapati Bhavan
The Rashtrapati Bhavan (, rāsh-truh-puh-ti bha-vun; ; originally Viceroy's House and later Government House) is the official residence of the President of India at the western end of Rajpath, Raisina Hill, New Delhi, India. Rashtrapati Bh ...
.
#* 12th Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. On 31 March 2013, The
President of India
The president of India ( IAST: ) is the head of state of the Republic of India. The president is the nominal head of the executive, the first citizen of the country, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces. Droupadi Murmu ...
Shri
Pranab Mukherjee
Dr. Pranab Mukherjee (11 December 193531 August 2020) was an Indian politician and statesman who served as the 13th president of India from 2012 until 2017. In a political career spanning five decades, Mukherjee was a senior leader in the India ...
presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the elite
President's Bodyguard
The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is the senior-most regiment in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and ...
(PBG) in a colourful ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
#* 13th Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. On November 17, 2017, The
President of India
The president of India ( IAST: ) is the head of state of the Republic of India. The president is the nominal head of the executive, the first citizen of the country, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces. Droupadi Murmu ...
, Shri
Ram Nath Kovind
Ram Nath Kovind (; born 1 October 1945) is an Indian politician who served as the 14th President of India from 2017 to 2022. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is the second person after K. R. Narayanan, from the Dalit community ...
, presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the
President's Bodyguard
The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is the senior-most regiment in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and ...
at a ceremony held at
Rashtrapati Bhavan
The Rashtrapati Bhavan (, rāsh-truh-puh-ti bha-vun; ; originally Viceroy's House and later Government House) is the official residence of the President of India at the western end of Rajpath, Raisina Hill, New Delhi, India. Rashtrapati Bh ...
.
#* 14th Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. On 27 October, 2022, The President of India, Smt.
Droupadi Murmu
Droupadi Murmu (, born 20 June 1958) is an Indian politician who has been serving as the 15th president of India since 25 July 2022. She is the first person belonging to the tribal community and also the second woman after Pratibha Patil to hol ...
, presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the PBG at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
#Indian Army Armoured Corps Centre and School.
::The Hon’ble President of India and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Shri
Pranab Mukherjee
Dr. Pranab Mukherjee (11 December 193531 August 2020) was an Indian politician and statesman who served as the 13th president of India from 2012 until 2017. In a political career spanning five decades, Mukherjee was a senior leader in the India ...
awarded the prestigious President’s Standards to Armoured Corps Centre and School, during a grand Ceremonial Parade held at Ahmednagar on 15 April 2017.
List of the other Regiments of
Indian Army Armoured Corps
The Indian Army Armoured Corps is one of the combat arms of the Indian Army. Tracing its origins from the first regiment formed in 1776, the present corps was formed in 1947 from two-thirds of the personnel and assets of the British Indian Army' ...
awarded with the President's Colours/Standards/Guidons
*Corps of the
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Army, and its professional head is the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who is a four- ...
Indian Army Corps of Signals
Indian Army Corps of Signals is a corps and a combat support 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 import ...
.
#* On 15 February 2016, the President's Colour was awarded by the General Dalbir Singh, Chief of Army Staff, on behalf of the President to the
Indian Army Corps of Signals
Indian Army Corps of Signals is a corps and a combat support 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 import ...
, at Gauri Shankar Parade Ground, Jabalpur.
#
Corps of Army Air Defence
The Corps of Army Air Defence (abbreviated as AAD), is an active corps of the Indian Army and a major combat support arm tasked with Anti-aircraft warfare, air defence of the country from foreign threats. The AAD is responsible for the protection ...
.
#* On 28 September 2019, the President's Colour was awarded to the
Corps of Army Air Defence
The Corps of Army Air Defence (abbreviated as AAD), is an active corps of the Indian Army and a major combat support arm tasked with Anti-aircraft warfare, air defence of the country from foreign threats. The AAD is responsible for the protection ...
by the President
Ramnath Kovind
Ram Nath Kovind (; born 1 October 1945) is an Indian politician who served as the 14th President of India from 2017 to 2022. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is the second person after K. R. Narayanan, from the Dalit community ...
, at Gopalpur, Ganjam district, Odisha.
# Army Aviation Corps.
#* On 10 October 2019, the President's Colour was awarded by the President
Ramnath Kovind
Ram Nath Kovind (; born 1 October 1945) is an Indian politician who served as the 14th President of India from 2017 to 2022. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is the second person after K. R. Narayanan, from the Dalit community ...
to the Army Aviation Corps, at the Combat Army Aviation Training School, Nashik Road.
#The Indian Army Corps of EME (Electronics and Mechanical Engineers)
#* The President of India, Dr S. Radhakrishnan, presented the 'Colours' to the Corps on 15 October 1964 at 1 EME Centre during the 21st Anniversary celebrations.
#* The Second Colours Presentation was presented at 3 EME Centre Bhopal on 15 October 1980. The Colours presented on behalf of the President by the General Om Prakash Malhotra, COAS.
#* The Third Colours presentation was presented on 23 November 2004. The old colours were put to rest and new colours were presented to the Corps at 1 EME Centre, Secunderabad by the General N C Vij, COAS on behalf of the President.
#* The 4th Colours Presentation was presented at 3 EME Centre Bhopal. The Corps was honoured with colours on 18 February 2005, by the COAS, General J. J. Singh, on behalf of the President of India.
# Army Ordnance Corps.
#* Army Ordnance Corps was awarded with the 'Colours' by the Vice President of India Shri
Gopal Swarup Pathak
Gopal Swarup Pathak (26 February 1896 – 4 October 1982) was the fourth vice president of India from August 1969 to August 1974. He was the first Indian vice president not to succeed his superior as President.
Life
Born on 26 February 1896 at ...
on 8 December 1970, at AOC Centre Secunderabad.
# Army Service Corps.
#* The new 'Colours' were presented by the President of India, Dr
Zakir Husain
Zakir Husain Khan (8 February 1897 – 3 May 1969) was an Indian educationist and politician who served as the third president of India from 13 May 1967 until his death on 3 May 1969.
Born in Hyderabad in a Afridi Pashtun family, Husain ...
to the Corps on 8 December 1967 on the 207th Corps Anniversary, at ASC Centre (South), Bangalore.
#* The Second Regimental Colours were presented on the occasion of the Third Reunion by General Om Prakash Malhotra, COAS on 8 December 1979.
#
Indian Army Pioneer Corps
The Indian Army Pioneer Corps or Pioneers is the operational logistics arm of the Indian Army. Though not a combat arm, the Pioneer Corps provide disciplined and well trained manpower where civilian labour is either not available or its employmen ...
.
#* The Pioneer Corps is the operational logistics arm of the Indian Army. The Chief of Army Staff General J. J. Singh presented the 'colours' to the Pioneer Corps Regiment at Bangalore, on 24 November 2006.
#
Indian Army Corps of Engineers
The Indian Army Corps of Engineers is a combat support arm which provides combat engineering support, develops infrastructure for armed forces and other defence organisations and maintains connectivity along the borders, besides helping the civil ...
.
##
Bengal Engineer Group
The Bengal Engineer Group (BEG) (informally the Bengal Sappers or Bengal Engineers) is a military engineering regiment in the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army. The unit was originally part of the Bengal Army of the East India Company's Ben ...
/ Bengal Sappers.
##*On January 12, 1989, the 'President's Colour' was presented to the Bengal Engineer Group by the President R Venkataraman, at Roorkee.
##
Bombay Engineer Group
The Bombay Engineer Group, or the ''Bombay Sappers'' as they are informally known, are a regiment of the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army. The Bombay Sappers draw their origin from the erstwhile Bombay Presidency army of the British Raj ...
/ Bombay Sappers.
##*On 21 February 1990, the Bombay Engineer Group was presented the "Colours" by his Excellency, the President of India Shri R Venkataraman.
##
Madras Engineer Group
Madras Engineer Group (MEG), informally known as the Madras Sappers, is an engineer group of the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army. The Madras Sappers draw their origin from the erstwhile Madras Presidency army of the British Raj. This ...
/ Madras Sappers.
##*On 20 March 1990, the Madras Engineer Group was presented the "Colours" by his Excellency, the President of India Shri R Venkataraman.
# Indian Army Remount and Veterinary Corps.
#*The corps was awarded the Colours by the President of India on December 21, 1989, in recognition of its glorious contributions to Indian Army.
#
Army Education Corps (India)
The Army Education Corps of India is a program run by the Indian Army that develops soldiers and officers of all ranks in a variety of disciplines. The centre provides education in both combat and non-combat operations.
The Corps' facilities are ...
.
#* On 24 February 1971, President V. V. Giri presented the colours to the Army Educational Corps, at Pachmarhi.
#
Corps of Military Police (India)
Corps of Military Police (CMP) is the military police of the Indian Army. In addition, the CMP is trained to handle prisoners of war and to regulate traffic, as well as to handle basic telecommunication equipment such as telephone exchanges. They ...
.
#* The President of India, Shri Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, presented ‘Colours’ to the Corps of Military Police on 24 April 1982.
*Training Establishments of the Indian Army
#
Indian Military Academy
The Indian Military Academy (IMA) is one of the oldest military academies in India, and trains officers for the Indian Army. Located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, it was established in 1932 following a recommendation by a military committee set up ...
.
#* On 10 December 1962, on the 30th anniversary of the Academy's inauguration, the second President of India, Dr.
Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (; 5 September 1888 – 17 April 1975), natively Radhakrishnayya, was an Indian philosopher and statesman. He served as the 2nd President of India from 1962 to 1967. He also 1st Vice President of India from 1952 ...
, presented new colours to the
Indian Military Academy
The Indian Military Academy (IMA) is one of the oldest military academies in India, and trains officers for the Indian Army. Located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, it was established in 1932 following a recommendation by a military committee set up ...
.
#* On 15 Dec 1976, the fifth President of India, Shri Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, presented new colours to IMA as a mark of appreciation of its services to the nation both in peace and war.
#
Officers Training Academy
The Officers Training Academy (OTA) is a training establishment of the Indian Army that trains officers for the Short Service Commission (SSC). The 49-week course at the OTA prepares graduates for all branches of the Army, except for the Army Me ...
. On August, 1990 OTA was awarded at Chennai by the President Shri
R. Venkataraman
Ramaswamy Venkataraman (, 4 December 191027 January 2009) was an Indian lawyer, Indian independence activist and politician who served as a Union Minister and as the eighth president of India.
Venkataraman was born in Rajamadam village in Ta ...
.
Indian Air Force
*
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its complement of personnel and aircraft assets ranks third amongst the air forces of the world. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial w ...
On 1 April 1954, the President's Colour was awarded to the IAF at Palam by the President
Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Rajendra Prasad (3 December 1884 – 28 February 1963) was an Indian politician, lawyer, Indian independence activist, journalist & scholar who served as the first president of Republic of India from 1950 to 1962. He joined the Indian Nationa ...
.
:* Air HQ Communication Squadron, Indian Air Force (Pegasus). Air HQ Communication Squadron was awarded with the President's Colours on 11 Dec 1984, at Palam.
:*Air Force Station
::List of President's Colour awarded to the Air Force Stations of the IAF
:*Aircraft Squadrons of the IAF
::List of President's Colour awarded to the Squadrons of the IAF
:*Helicopter Units of the IAF
::List of President's Colour awarded to the Helicopter Units of the IAF
:*Signal Units of IAF.
:::List of President's Colour awarded to the Signal Units of the IAF
:* Base Repair Depot (BRD) of the IAF.
:::List of President's Colour awarded to the Base Repair Depots of the IAF
:* Equipment Depot (ED).
:::List of President's Colour awarded to the Equipment Depots of the IAF
:*Institutions of the IAF
:::List of President's Colour awarded to the Institutions of the IAF
Indian Navy
*Indian Navy
The Indian Navy was the first branch of the Armed Forces which was rewarded with the President's Colours on 27 May 1951, by the President
Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Rajendra Prasad (3 December 1884 – 28 February 1963) was an Indian politician, lawyer, Indian independence activist, journalist & scholar who served as the first president of Republic of India from 1950 to 1962. He joined the Indian Nationa ...
. Since then every service command and ground installation of the Navy has been awarded the President's Colour of the Navy.
#Naval Commands and Fleets
##
Southern Naval Command
The Southern Naval Command is one of the three command-level formations of the Indian Navy. It has its headquarters in Kochi, Kerala at INS Venduruthy. It is the Training Command of the Indian Navy.
The Command is commanded by a Three Star Fla ...
was awarded on 26 November 1984 by the President
Giani Zail Singh
Giani Zail Singh (, born Jarnail Singh; 5 May 1916 – 25 December 1994) was an Indian politician from Punjab who served as the seventh president of India from 1982 to 1987. He was the first Sikh and the first person from a backward caste to bec ...
.
##
Eastern Naval Command
The Eastern Naval Command is one of the three command-level formations of the Indian Navy. It is headquartered in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The command is responsible for the all naval forces in the Bay of Bengal and parts of the Indian Ocea ...
was awarded on 25 March 1987 by the President
Giani Zail Singh
Giani Zail Singh (, born Jarnail Singh; 5 May 1916 – 25 December 1994) was an Indian politician from Punjab who served as the seventh president of India from 1982 to 1987. He was the first Sikh and the first person from a backward caste to bec ...
.
##
Western Naval Command
The Western Naval Command is one of the three command–level formations of the Indian Navy. It is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. As the senior–most of the three formations, the command is responsible for the all naval forces in the A ...
was awarded on 22 February 1990 by the President
Ramaswamy Venkataraman
Ramaswamy Venkataraman (, 4 December 191027 January 2009) was an Indian lawyer, Indian independence activist and politician who served as a Union Minister and as the eighth president of India.
Venkataraman was born in Rajamadam village in Ta ...
.
##
Western Fleet
The Red Sea Fleet Command or officially Western Fleet (WF), also called ''" West Coast Fleet ",'' is a regional naval fleet and one of the two main formations of the Saudi Arabian Navy, with headquarters at Royal Naval Base at Jeddah, Western Pr ...
was awarded on 9 March 1997 by the President
Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma
Shankar Dayal Sharma (; 19 August 1918 – 26 December 1999) was an Indian lawyer and politician from the state of Madhya Pradesh who served as the ninth President of India, from 1992 to 1997.
Born in Bhopal, Sharma studied at Agra, Allaha ...
.
##
Eastern Fleet
Eastern may refer to:
Transportation
*China Eastern Airlines, a current Chinese airline based in Shanghai
* Eastern Air, former name of Zambia Skyways
*Eastern Air Lines, a defunct American airline that operated from 1926 to 1991
*Eastern Air L ...
# Submarine Arm. On 8 December 2017, the Submarine Arm of the Indian Navy was awarded by the President
Ramnath Kovind
Ram Nath Kovind (; born 1 October 1945) is an Indian politician who served as the 14th President of India from 2017 to 2022. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is the second person after K. R. Narayanan, from the Dalit community ...
.
#
Indian Naval Academy
The Indian Naval Academy (INA or INA Ezhimala) is the defence service training establishment for officer cadre of the Indian Naval Service and the Indian Coast Guard, located in Ezhimala, Kannur district, Kerala. Situated between Ezhimala h ...
(INA),
Ezhimala
Ezhimala, a hill reaching a height of , is located near Payyanur, in Kannur district of Kerala, south India. It is a part of a conspicuous and isolated cluster of hills, forming a promontory, north of Kannur (Cannanore). The Indian Naval Acad ...
.
Indian Naval Academy
The Indian Naval Academy (INA or INA Ezhimala) is the defence service training establishment for officer cadre of the Indian Naval Service and the Indian Coast Guard, located in Ezhimala, Kannur district, Kerala. Situated between Ezhimala h ...
(INA),
Ezhimala
Ezhimala, a hill reaching a height of , is located near Payyanur, in Kannur district of Kerala, south India. It is a part of a conspicuous and isolated cluster of hills, forming a promontory, north of Kannur (Cannanore). The Indian Naval Acad ...
was awarded on 20 November 2019 by the President
Ramnath Kovind
Ram Nath Kovind (; born 1 October 1945) is an Indian politician who served as the 14th President of India from 2017 to 2022. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is the second person after K. R. Narayanan, from the Dalit community ...
.
#Indian Naval Stations
##
INS Shivaji
INS Shivaji is an Indian naval station located in Lonavala, Maharashtra, India. It houses the Naval College of Engineering which trains officers of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard. It was commissioned on 15 February 1945 as HMIS Shiva ...
.
INS Shivaji
INS Shivaji is an Indian naval station located in Lonavala, Maharashtra, India. It houses the Naval College of Engineering which trains officers of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard. It was commissioned on 15 February 1945 as HMIS Shiva ...
,
Lonavala
Lonavala (ISO 15919, ISO: Loṇāvaḷā) is a hill station town and a Municipal Council in the Pune district, Maharashtra, India. It is about west of Pune and to the east of Mumbai. It is known for its production of the hard candy ''chikki'' a ...
was awarded on 13 February 2020 by the President
Ramnath Kovind
Ram Nath Kovind (; born 1 October 1945) is an Indian politician who served as the 14th President of India from 2017 to 2022. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is the second person after K. R. Narayanan, from the Dalit community ...
.
##
INS Valsura
INS ''Valsura'' is a "stone frigate" (shore establishment) of the Indian Navy in Jamnagar, Gujarat. A premier technological training institution, it houses the Electrical school of the Indian Navy.
History
During World War II, a need was felt to ...
##* INS Valsura, Jamnagar awarded with prestigious colours on 25 March, 2022 by the President Shri Ramnath Kovind.
#
Indian Naval Air Arm
The Indian Naval Air Arm is the aviation branch and a fighting arm of the Indian Navy which is tasked to provide an aircraft carrier based strike capability, fleet air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare.
The Flag Off ...
#*
President
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
*President (education), a leader of a college or university
*President (government title)
President may also refer to:
Automobiles
* Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ful ...
Shri Ramnath Kovind awarded the President’s Colour to the Indian Naval Air Arm at the INS Hansa base near Panaji in Goa on 6 September 2021.
# Naval combatant squadrons of the Navy
## 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron
##*President of India Shri Ramnath Kovind presented the President’s Standard to the 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron, aka the Killers Squadron, at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on 8 December 2021, the first naval combatant squadron to be presented with a standard in the Navy.