Indian Army Day / Army Day2026 · Date · History
India Ministry of Defence sources verify Army Day every January 15, celebrated since 1949 to commemorate General K. M. Cariappa taking command; no civilian public-holiday status is inferred.
About Indian Army Day / Army Day
Indian Army Day is observed every year on January 15. Ministry of Defence material ties the date to the 1949 transfer of command to General K. M. Cariappa, the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army after independence.
The observance is an Indian Army and national military commemoration; the reviewed sources do not make it a general civilian public holiday.
Why Indian Army Day / Army Day matters
Army Day recognizes the Indian Army’s service and commemorates the post-independence transition in its senior command.
Official celebrations commonly include military ceremonies, remembrance and recognition of service; these do not imply a nationwide civilian closure day.
History of Indian Army Day / Army Day
For Indian Army Day / Army Day, On January 15, 1949, General K. M. Cariappa took over command from General Sir F. R. R. Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief.
Ministry of Defence material says January 15 has been celebrated as Army Day since 1949 and is observed every year.
The Indian Army celebrated its 78th Army Day in Jaipur on January 15, 2026, continuing the national military commemoration.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
First documented observance
A Ministry of Defence release states that January 15 has been celebrated as Army Day since 1949.
Indian Army / Ministry of Defence, Government of India
Current Ministry of Defence releases document official Army Day celebrations and ceremonies.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
6 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
Indian Army Day
How to Observe Indian Army Day / Army Day
Use January 15 as the stable annual Army Day date.
Use Ministry of Defence/PIB sources for the 1949 command-transfer rationale.
Describe official ceremonies as military commemoration without inferring civilian public-holiday status.
For a particular year’s parade location or programme, consult current Ministry of Defence notices.
Indian Army Day / Army Day Facts
Indian Army Day is January 15 every year.
The date commemorates General K. M. Cariappa taking command of the Indian Army in 1949.
Official Ministry of Defence material says the celebration has continued since 1949.
The 78th Army Day was officially celebrated on January 15, 2026.
The observance is not represented here as a general civilian public holiday.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Confirm the date again before carrying it into a new year.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Press Information Bureau / Ministry of Defence — 72nd Army Day, celebrated on January 15 since 1949 (opens in a new tab)
National Government
Press Information Bureau / Ministry of Defence — 73rd Army Day celebrated, annual January 15 commemoration of the 1949 command transfer (opens in a new tab)
National Government
Press Information Bureau / Ministry of Defence — Indian Army celebrates 78th Army Day at Jaipur on 15 January 2026 (opens in a new tab)
National Government
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Indian Army Day / Army Day?
15 January The documented recurrence rule is: 15 January.
Does Indian Army Day / Army Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Indian Army Day / Army Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: India / Indian Army. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Indian Army Day / Army Day?
The documented basis is: India Ministry of Defence sources verify Army Day every January 15, celebrated since 1949 to commemorate General K. M. Cariappa taking command; no civilian public-holiday status is inferred.. Supporting evidence includes Press Information Bureau / Ministry of Defence — 73rd Army Day celebrated, annual January 15 commemoration of the 1949 command transfer. The site does not infer a separate creator or founder unless reviewed evidence establishes one.
Is Indian Army Day / Army Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to India. Its fuller verified scope is: India / Indian Army.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-02.
When is Indian Army Day?
It is observed every year on January 15.
Why is Army Day on January 15?
It commemorates the January 15, 1949 transfer of command to General K. M. Cariappa, the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army after independence.
How long has Army Day been observed?
A Ministry of Defence release states that January 15 has been celebrated as Army Day since 1949.
Is Indian Army Day a nationwide civilian public holiday?
The reviewed official sources establish a military commemoration, not a general civilian public-holiday status.
Other observances on January 15
These observances are also listed on January 15, 2027.
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