The Indian Army's new dress code includes bandi jackets; check out other grooming rules: "12cm Mustaches..."

In an effort to get rid of another colonial relic, the Indian Army discontinued the use of ceremonial pouch belts in several dress categories and made it optional for reviewing officers to carry swords during parades.

The changes – detailed in the new 174-page Army Uniforms-2026 manual, released eight years after the previous edition and made available to the Hindustan Times – authorize the use of closed-neck bandi jackets in formal settings. The Army also introduced a new winter uniform, known as Dress 3B, for personnel of all ranks. The outfit includes an Angolan shirt, a combat jacket and a beret.

“In keeping with the mood of the nation and the evolving sovereign identity, a number of deliberate enhancements have been incorporated. Together, these enhancements represent a progressive overview of residual vestiges from the colonial era while preserving the dignity, functionality and enduring traditions of the Indian Army,” the document says in a section titled “Indigenization and Reunification with the National Etho.”

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Standards of care

The revised manual also details standards of appearance and grooming, including tattoos, piercings, hairstyles, mustaches and the use of cosmetics.

For the first time, police officers were authorized to wear bandi jackets as part of the formal dress code. This option is available along with existing formal wear such as bandhgala, party suit, combination dress or full sleeve shirts paired with tie and formal pants.

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“A coat with a closed neck (bandi jacket) may be worn over a full-sleeved shirt. The bandi jacket may be with or without hook fastenings (both designs are permitted) and shall be of solid, sober colors only. Dress pants of a sober design and formal closed shoes shall be worn,” the manual states.

Cosmetics, piercings and religious symbols face strict restrictions

Female officers are allowed to wear saree in sober colors or kurta-salwar and ankle-length straight trousers with dupatta. However, sleeveless kurtas and casual undergarments such as palazzos and cigarette pants are not permitted.

Among the notable changes was from Mess Dress No. 5 and No. 6 belt removed. These categories of dresses are usually worn for state functions, formal receptions and ceremonial events. However, pouch belts will continue to be permitted for officers up to the rank of colonel in selected arms and regiments, including the Armored Corps, Mechanized Infantry, Artillery Regiment, Rifle Regiments, Maratha Light Infantry, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and Signal Corps.

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“The belt will not be worn with dress Nos. 5 and 6. However, it may be worn with ceremonial dress during regimental/corps functions,” the manual states.

The regulations also remove colonial-era terminology, including references to the word “royal”.

In the foreword to the manual, Adjutant General VPS Kaushik wrote that the new edition “reflects a deliberate move towards aligning the Army’s dress regulations with the contemporary Indian ethos by phasing out residual practices, equipment and terminology from the colonial era”.

The changes are part of a wider indigenization push within the armed forces. The effort gained momentum after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a Combined Commanders’ Conference in Kevadia, Gujarat, urged the military to shed colonial customs and adopt more Indian approaches in its doctrines, practices and traditions.

The new manual also reinforces strict standards of care. Tattoos and piercings remain banned, while personnel are not allowed to wear bangles in uniform, except for a single sacred thread on the wrist on pooja day. Religious symbols and insignia are generally not permitted, with exceptions for Sikh personnel.

The length of the mustache must not exceed 12 cm. Regulations also prohibit the use of deodorants and perfumes in uniform, although aftershaves remain permitted.

Female staff are subject to special cosmetic guidelines. Lipstick, colored nail polish, bindis and nose needles are prohibited. Sindoor can be worn provided it remains hidden under the beret