Army Day: India Celebrates 78th Army Day, Honors Cariappa's Legacy

• January 15 is observed annually as Indian Army Day, commemorating Lieutenant General KM Cariappa taking over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief in 1949.
• The day marks India's decisive step towards military self-reliance and national sovereignty, breaking from colonial military control.
• Field Marshal KM Cariappa, known as 'Kipper', distinguished himself in World War II and the 1947-48 India-Pakistan war, emphasizing an apolitical and unified Indian Army.
• The 78th Army Day in 2026 focuses on 'Year of Networking and Data Centricity', highlighting technology's role in modern warfare.
• For the first time, the main Army Day parade is held on Mahal Road in Jagatpura, Jaipur, featuring the Bhairav Battalion, Apache helicopters, and indigenous defense systems.

Why It Matters: Indian Army Day celebrates military self-reliance, honors Field Marshal Cariappa, and showcases modern defense capabilities.