The Indian Army (IA, Devanāgarī: भारतीय थलसेना, Bhāratīya Thalasēnā) is the land based branch and the largestcomponent of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service[2] and about 960,000 reserve troops,[2] the Indian Army is the world's second largest standing volunteer army.[1] [3] Its primary mission is to ensure the national security and defence of the Republic of India from external aggression and threats, and maintaining peace and security within its borders. It also conducts humanitarian rescue operations during natural calamities and other disturbances. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Army. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), a General, is a four star commander and commands the Army. There is typically never more than one serving general at any given time in the Army. Two officers have been conferred the rank of Field Marshal, a 5-star rank and the officer serves as the ceremonial chief. The Indian Army came into being when India gained independence in 1947, and inherited most of the infrastructure of the British Indian Army that were located in post-partition India. It is a voluntary service and although a provision for military conscriptionexists in the Indian constitution, it has never been imposed. Since independence, the Army has been involved in four wars with neighboring Pakistan and one with thePeople's Republic of China. Other major operations undertaken by the Army includeOperation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot and Operation Cactus. Apart from conflicts, the Army has also been an active participant in United Nations peacekeeping missions. Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra Listed below are the most notable people to have received the Param Vir Chakra, the highest military decoration of the Indian Army. 4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment 3 November Battle of Badgam, Kashmir, India 1947 Major Somnath Sharma 2 Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane Corps of Engineers 8 April 1948 Battle of Naushera, Kashmir, India Naik Jadu Nath Singh 1st Battalion, Rajput Regiment February 1948 Battle of Naushera, Kashmir, India Company Havildar Major Piru Singh 6th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles 17/18 July 1948 Tithwal, Kashmir, India Lance Naik Karam Singh 1st Battalion, Sikh 13 October Tithwal, Kashmir, India Pakistan Lance Naik Albert Ekka 14th Battalion. Shakargarh Sector Major Hoshiar Singh 3rd Battalion. Sialkot Sector. India Major Shaitan Singh 13th Battalion. Brigade of the Guards 3 December Gangasagar 1971 2/Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal 17th Poona Horse 16 December 1971 Jarpal. The Grenadiers 17 December 1971 Basantar River. 1st Gorkha Captain Gurbachan Singh Rifles (The Malaun Salaria Regiment) 5 December Elizabethville.Regiment 1948 3rd Battalion. Khem Karan Sector Lt Col Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore 17th Poona Horse 15 October 1965 Phillora. The HavildarAbdul Hamid Grenadiers 10 September 1965 Chima. Shakargarh Sector Naib Subedar Bana Singh 8th Battalion. Kumaon Regiment 18 November 1962 Rezang La Company Quarter Master 4th Battalion. Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry 23 June 1987 Siachen Glacier. Katanga. Mahar 25 Sri Lanka . Congo 1961 Major Dhan Singh Thapa 1st Battalion. 8th Gorkha Rifles 20 October 1962 Ladakh. Jammu and Kashmir Major Ramaswamy 8th Battalion. India Subedar Joginder Singh 1st Battalion. Northeast Frontier Agency. Sikh Regiment 23 October 1962 Tongpen La. 1. The Indian Army intends to modernize all of its 465 infantry and paramilitary battalions by 2020 with this program. India is currently re-organising its mechanised forces to achieve strategic mobility and high-volume firepower for rapid thrusts into enemy territory. Jammu and Kashmir Rifles 6 July 1999 Point 5140. Batalik sector. 11th Gorkha Pandey Rifles Khaluber/Juber 3 July 1999 Top. apart from the ongoing upgrade of its T-72 fleet. said defence ministry sources. to be completed by 2012.657 Russian-origin T-90S mainbattle tanks (MBTs). India proposes to progressively induct as many as 248 Arjun MBT and develop and induct the Arjun MKII variant. The Army recently placed an order for 4. Jammu and Kashmir Rifles 5 July 1999 Area Flat Top. . Kargil Area Lieutenant Manoj Kumar 1st Battalion. it was reported that the Army was advocating a new artillery division.Jammu and Kashmir Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav 18th Battalion.Parmeshwaran Regiment November 1987 Captain Vikram Batra 13th Battalion. under the Kolkata-basedEastern Command.[56] and an artillery brigade in 2008. In the first phase. the infantry soldiers will be equipped with modular weapon systems that will have multi-functions. Kargil Area developments Futuristic Infantry Soldier As a System (F-INSAS) is the Indian Army's principal modernization program from 2012 to 2020. with the government finally fast-tracking several military procurement plans. Point 4875. Kargil area. The Grenadiers 4 July 1999 Tiger Hill. Kargil area Rifleman Sanjay Kumar [edit]Future 13th Battalion. These divisions were likely to be armed with ultralight howitzers.[55] The Army gained the Cabinet Committee on Security's approval to raise two new infantry mountain divisions (with around 15.[57] The proposed artillery division.000 combat soldiers each).100 French-origin Milan-2T anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). Defence ministry sources said the Rs 592-crore (approximately US$120 million) order was cleared after the 2008 Mumbai attacks. was to have three brigades—two of 155mm howitzers and one of the Russian "Smerch" and indigenous "Pinaka" multiple-launch rocket systems. In July 2009. 248 On order .Light utility vehicle to be purchased. Vehicles Mahindra Axe . Missiles Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles Agni-V .It has a range of between 750 to 1900 km. Arjun MBT mk 2 . AHS Krab .[58] Tanks and armored vehicles T-90 bhishma . Production By 2014. PZA Loara . Development work started.000 km. Anti-Tank Guided Missiles Nag Anti-tank guided missile Helina Air launched Anti-tank missile Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program .170 inducted. deal along with kroton . 620 already in service.The FMBT will be a lighter tank of 50 tons. test by 2011. Kroton .India plans to induct Total 1657 tanks by 2020. deal along with Kroton.5.The Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program is an initiative to develop and deploy a multi-layered ballistic missile defense system to protect India from ballistic missile attacks. Artillery .Possible sale of 100 from Poland. Agni-VI Cruise Missiles Nirbhay Missile Brahmos and Brahmos missiles Tactical Ballistic Missiles Prahaar (missile) . The Indian Army plans to develop and induct a 155mm indigenous artillery gun within the next three and a half years.[59] Shaurya (missile) .000 km-6.300 tanks (200 tracked 100 wheeled) to be deployed on china border.Possible sale of 80 mine laying vehicles from Poland.Trials by 2011. FMBT . Light Tank .Possible sale of 110 from Poland.With a range of 150 km. Arjun MBT . 000 787.000[49] 960.000** Main battle tanks 4. Wheeled and Tracked Artillery Systems.The Modern Sub Machine Carbine (MSMC) is the latest combined venture of ARDE & OFB. developed for the Indian Army on a platform of experiences from the INSAS rifle.[60] Indian army staff and equipment [edit]Strength The mounted President's Bodyguardduring a state visit by a foreign dignitary.145 British designed howitzers were planned to be acquired. M777 howitzer . HAL has obtained a firm order to deliver 114 HAL Light Combat Helicopters to the Indian Army. Indian Army statistics Active Troops Reserve Troops Indian Territorial Army 1.238 .The requirement for artillery guns to be met with indigenous development and production. Army Aviation Tender for 197 light transport helicopter Along with 125 for Air Force.117 Artillery 4.To Replace Cheetak and Cheetah Helicopters of Armed Forces.Requirement for 384 helicopters including for army and air force. Under the Field Artillery Rationalization Plan. Indian Army plans to procure 3000 to 4000 155 mm Towed.100. Modern Sub Machine Carbine . HAL light observation helicopter (LOH) or Light Utility helicopter (LUH) . Agni-III) ~1. AgniII.000 1st line troops and 400.Ballistic missiles ~100 (Agni-I.600+ 100.000 Ballistic missiles Cruise missiles Aircraft Surface-to-air missiles ** includes 387. 4 RAPIDs (Reorganised Army Plains Infantry Divisions) 18 Infantry Divisions 10 Mountain Divisions 3 Armoured Divisions 2 Artillery Divisions .000 Prithvi missile series ~1.000 BrahMos ~1.000 2nd line troops [edit]Statistics Soldiers from the 4th Rajput Infantry Battalion of the Indian Army handling INSAS rifles during a training mission. 3 Air Defence Brigades and 2 Surface-to-Air Missile Groups 5 Independent Armoured Brigades 15 Independent Artillery Brigades 7 Independent Infantry Brigades 1 Airborne Brigade 4 Engineer Brigades 41 Army Aviation Helicopter Units [edit]Sub-units 93 Tank Regiments (??) 32 Mechanised Infantry Battalions 50 Artillery Regiments 3 Parachute Battalions 7 Special Forces Battalions 23 Combat Helicopter Units 50 Air Defence Regiments [edit]Rank structure . The 1st Battalion of 1 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army take position outside a simulated combat town during a training exercise. Main article: Army ranks and insignia of India The various rank of the Indian Army are listed below in descending order: Commissioned Officers Field Marshal1 General (the rank held by Chief of Army Staff) Lieutenant-General Major-General Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant-Colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) (Active and honorary) Subedar Major/Honorary Captain3 Subedar/Honorary Lieutenant3 Subedar Major/Risaldar Major Subedar/Risaldar Naib Subedar/Naib Risaldar . Indian Territorial Army Services 1. Army Postal Service 6. Army Education Corps .Regimental Center at Ahmednagar. Regiment of ArtilleryDevlaliNasik 4. Indian Infantry Regiments 2. Corps of EngineersPuneMadras Engineer GroupBangaloreBengal Engineer GroupRoorkeeBombay Engineer GroupPune 6.Centered at Bhopal and Secunderabad. Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) Regimental Havildar Mms 1. Army Medical CorpsLucknow 4. Army Aviation Corps(India) The Indian Territorial Army has units from a number of corps which serve as a part-time reserve.Centered at Pune. Mechanised Infantry .Ahmednagar 8.Secunderabad 8. Armoured CorpsAhmednagar 3. Intelligence Corps . Army supply Corps .JabalpurSecunderabad 5. Corps of Military PoliceIndian Corps of Military Police 9.GopalpurOrissa 7.Centered at Pachmarhi.Pune 10.kampteeNagpur .Pachmarhi 3.Centered at Jabalpur and Secunderabad (HQ). . Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers . Corps of Army Air Defence-Center at Gopalpur in Orissa State. Corps of Signals 5.Centered at the Institute of Military Law kamptee. Judge Advocate General's Dept. Army Ordnance Corps . Nagpur.Centered at Bangalore and GayaBangaloreGaya 7.Soldiers of the Indian Army's Assam Regiment stand guard near the India Gatewar memorial in Delhi. Army Dental Corps 2. Only two officers have been made Field Marshal so far: Field Marshal K M Cariappa—the first Indian Commander-in-Chief (a post since abolished)—and Field Marshal S H F J Manekshaw. 12. Those for gallantry in the face of the enemy. Non-Commissioned Officers in the rank of Havildar are elible for Honorary JCO ranks. Vir Chakra.Centered at the Military Farms School and Center.11. 3. Pioneer Corps ajor/Regimental Daffadar Major 2 Regimental Quartermaster HavildarRegimental Quartermaster Daffadar2 Company Havildar Major/Squadron Daffadar Major Company Quartermaster Havildar/Squadron Quartermaster Daffadar Havildar/Daffadar Other Personnels Naik/Lance Daffadar Lance Naik/Acting Lance Daffadar Sepoy (infantry and other arms)/Sowar(Indian Army Armoured Corps) Notes: 1. This has now been discontinued. Remount and Veterinary Corps 14. Indian honours and awards can be divided into two categories : (a) (b) Gallantry awards. The gallantry awards are again divisible into tow categories: (a) (b) 1. Meerut Cantt. Those for gallantry other than in the face of the enemy. Param Vir Chakra. role continues to be of a JCO. The first category of the gallantry awards comprises : . Military Farms Service . the Chief of Army Staff during the Army in the 1971 war with Pakistan. 2. 3. Military Nursing Service 13. Maha Vir Chakra. Given to Outstanding JCO's Rank and pay of a Lieutenant. 2. Non-gallantry awards. For the purpose of classification. 13. 2. 3. Nao Sena and Vayu Sena Medal. Class II.1947. 14. Chiefs of Staff Commendation Card. 18. 15. Bharat Ratna. Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. 17. 9. 1. 2. Uttam Yudh Seva Medal. 12. Ashoka Chakra * Kirti Chakra * Shaurya Chakra * The second category of the gallantry awards comprise the following : * These were originally named Ashoka Chakra Class I. Sainya Seva Medal. Samar Seva Medal. the following can be mentioned : 1. 3. . 4. Vishisht Seva Medal. Padma Vibhushan. 10. 6. Yudh Seva Medal. 7. 5. 20 Years Long Service Medal. General Service Medal . Sena. Padma Shri. Ati Vishisht Seva Medal. 8. 11. Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal. 9 Years Long Service Medal. Mention in Dispatches. 6. Class III Among non-gallantry awards. 16. Meritorious Service Medal. 30 Years Long Seva Medal.4. Param Vishisht Seva Medal. Padma Bhushan. 5. green for growth and auspiciousness. Ribbons are integral to the scheme of medals and decorations. a heavenly body known for its firm. The Ashokan Lions form the obverse or the reverse device in most of the medals. is a piece of metal. This wheel generally symbolised a sense of activity and forward movement. Sangram Medal. A ribbon. In 4th century BC. the position and priority being the centre of the chest. Wound Medal. It is notable that all ribbons are intended to convey some motif or symbol by means of colours. called Dhruva Tara in Indian mythology. west. They symbolise the universal application of the Dharma comprehending all the four directions i. 25. the demon of drought. . was given a place in northern horizon by Lord Vishnu in appreciation of his firm determination and supreme effort. Of these red stands for courage and bravery. Stripes on ribbons generally denote the class of the award. ribbons when worn on the chest by a soldier adequately convey stories of heroism associated with him. The star. Great mythology surrounds this mysterious weapon of Vedic origin. Poorvi Star. 22. This motif when represented along with the motto 'Satyameva Jayate' represents the National Emblem. 20.e. for the benefit of the word. generally speaking. a sage of high attainments. In fact. 21. Another widely used motif on Indian medals is the Ashoka Chakra. In Indian mythology. Raksha Medal. green. is a combination of meaningful colour imprinted on silk. It was the Amogha Astra (unfailing weapon) used by Indra to kill vitra. The polar star is therefore. saffron for self-effacement and dedicated service. a medal. Commendation Card. In Puranic literature it is said that this Vajra was made out the the Asthis (bones) of Dadhici. steady and fixed position. white for glory and purity and blue for devotion and sacrifice. Three lions facing the four directions are again Buddhist in significance. to release lifegiving waters for the benefit of mankind. Videsh Seva Medal. north and south. short of the symbol or motif it bears. This is a twenty-four-spoked wheel occurring on the National Flag and the Ashoka Chakra series of medals. the symbol represents service of a very high order. calling it the Dharma Chakra. symbolically denotes everlasting glory. the son of King Uttanapada and Queen Suniti. Paschimi Star. red and white are the most commonly used colours in the Indian ribbons. Attached to a colorful ribbon. The ribbons are worn by the awardees on their left breast in a specified sequence. 23. The superb choice of Vajra (thunderbolt) to serve as the motif for the Param Vir Chakra amply proves this. Occasionally red symbolises the Indian Army. dark blue the Indian Navy and sky blue the Indian Air Force. 26. east.19. 24. In respect of medals. the Buddhists adopted this symbol in the service of religion. The choice of star as a symbol for the Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra as also for Vishisht Seva Medal series is again meaningful. blue. The preaching of the gospel by Lord Buddha was denoted with the Chakra (wheel) symbol and the act was called Dharma Chakra Parvartana. Dhruva. Saffron. 25th Independence Anniversary Medal. Due thought seems to have been given to this aspect when the gallantry awards were instituted. and 'Honour titles' to various Army units for distinguished performance on the battlefield. . taking over the command of Armed Forces from Gen Sir F R R Bucher. the practice came into vogue in the nineteenth century. standards and kettle drums. the General was commissioned in 2 RAJPUT (KALI CHINDI) in 1970 and commanded the same battalion with distinction from June 1991 to May 1994. GENERAL VK SINGH. In India. AVSM.'Theatre Honours'.In India there also exists the custom of granting 'Battle Honours'. This comes amid the raging debate over women's permanent commission in the Indian Army and vindicates the stance of all aspiring permanent commission women officers. AVSM. The history was created on Friday morning at the 'Yodha' hall of the 'DOT' division of southwestern command. The recipient regiments display a selected number of battle honours on their colours. Mitali Madhusmita's Sena Medal. These emblazoned battle honours present an epitome of the history of the regiment. ADC General Vijay Kumar Singh. has broken another male bastion that promises to remain etched in the Indian military history. the last British Commander-in-Chief. General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC-in-C) conferred the medal on Major Mitali Madhumita in the investiture ceremony held at the Hisar cantonment. when Gen (later Field Marshal) K M Cariappa became the first Commander-inChief of Indian Armed Forces after Independence. Mitalli becomes the first woman officer to get gallantry award HISAR: Even before the Army decides to create history by according permanent commission to women and allowing them in the combat arms. Indian Army celebrates January 15 every year as Army Day to commemorate the Day. ADC is a third generation officer of the RAJPUT Regiment. An alumnus of Birla Public School. PVSM. in 1949. YSM. PVSM. Pilani and National Defence Academy. YSM. when Lt General SK Singh. the first to be awarded for gallantry to a woman Army officer. A total of 19 persons including seven Indians had been killed in that incident. Lt Gen SK Singh could not restrained himself from praising the woman officer's bravery in his special address to the soldiers of the southwestern command. she was not a part of combat arms but her job was to teach at facilities in Kabul. A retired professor of economic.in-C. "When Mitali born. Mitali is eldest of three sisters. Anjali Dass said. Mitali has been given gallantry award for the exemplary courage. Both of her younger sisters are working in corporate sector. she immediately rushed to the spot and saved the lives of those buried under the debris after the attack without caring for her life. Gen Singh also awarded eight other officers with the Sena Medal (gallantry) in the impressive ceremony held here. At that time. Read more: Mitalli becomes the first woman officer to get gallantry award . Impressed with Major Mitali's valor beyond the call off the duties. 2010. Anjali Dass further informed that she also wanted Mitali to become a lecturer after completing her masters in English literature but she preferred to join army and excelled. But when the incident took place. grit and valor displayed by her after the attack on the Indian embassy by terrorists in Kabul ( Afghanistan) on February 26. She helped in saving lots of lives of those severely wounded in that attack. mother of Major Mitali. Proud moment for Anjali Dass.The Times of India Maha Vir Chakra From Wikipedia(View original Wikipedia article »)Last modified on 5 May 2011 at 09:22 Maha Vir Chakra . mother of Major Mitali It was proud moment for Anjali Dass. In a candid chat with the TOI. On this occasion. who had come all the way from Bhuwneshwar (Orissa) to witness the history created by her daughter. she gave me the pride of motherhood and today she made me proud by achieving this feat". She was on United Nations (UN) mission at that time. She also informed that Mitali was a NCC cadet during her college days and had also attended a youth exchange programme at Canada at that time.The Times of India Mitalli becomes the first woman officer to get gallantry award . GOC.An officer of Army Education Corp (AEC). . at sea or in the air.." [1] Currently awarded Statistics Establish ed 26 January. whether on land.Maha Vir Chakra Awarded by India Type Eligibility Awarded for Status Medal Military personnel only ". at sea or in the air. Table of Contents 1 Appearan ce 2 History 3 Reference s External links 4 . acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy on land. 1950 Precedence Next (hig her) Next (low er) Param Vir Chakra Vir Chakra The Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) is the second highest militarydecoration in India and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy. Literally Maha Veer means extraordinarily brave. It may be awardedposthumously. 2 cm in width.Appearance The medal is made of standardsilver and is circular in shape. The decoration is worn on the left chest with a half-white and half-orange riband about 3.Embossed on the obverse is a five pointed heraldic star with circular center-piece bearing the gilded state emblem of India in the center. The words "Mahavira Chakra" are embossed in Devanagari and English on the reverse with two lotus flowers in the middle. the orange being near the left shoulder. .