78th Army Day | 16 Jan 2026

Source: PIB 

The Indian Army marked its 78^th Army Day on 15^th January 2026 with a historic parade in Jaipur, Rajasthan, emphasising the force’s shift towards modern, agile, and technology-driven warfare. 

• Historic Venue: This was the 4^th Army Day Parade held outside Delhi, following events in Bengaluru (2023), Lucknow (2024), and Pune (2025), and marked the first instance it was organised outside a cantonment. 
• Historical Significance: The day commemorates 15^th January 1949, when Field Marshal KM Cariappa became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief, marking full military sovereignty. 
  • Currently, the President of India serves as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force. 
• Theme & Focus: The 2026 theme is “Year of Networking and Data Centricity” that highlighted the Army’s push for digital transformation, AI-driven warfare, cyber resilience, and integrated battle management systems. 
• Strategic Displays: The parade featured the debut of Bhairav Battalion contingents, representing new lean, agile formations for rapid response. 
• Indigenous Tech Showcase: A wide array of Made-in-India systems was displayed, including T-90 & Arjun tanks, K-9 Vajra, Dhanush, ATAGS, BrahMos, Pinaka, and a range of drones (Prabal, Switch, Baaz). 
  • With approximately 1.4 million active personnel, the Indian Army is the world's largest army, surpassing that of China. 
• Cultural Highlights: Performances of Rajasthani folk dances like Kalbelia and Gair, Chenda (traditional percussion instrument from Kerala) performance, and traditional martial arts such as Kalaripayattu and Malkhamb showcased India's diverse cultural heritage.