The Army has decided to adopt a common uniform for the one-star Brigadiers, two-star Major Generals, three-star Lieutenant Generals and the four-star General or Chief, irrespective of their parent cadre and appointments from August 1 on wards, according to official sources.
The decision on this “uniformity in uniforms” was taken in the recent Army commanders’ conference to “promote and strengthen a common identity and approach in service matters among the senior leadership beyond the boundaries of regimentation” in the 12,00,000 strong force.
For instance, the senior officers will wear black belts with Indian Army’s insignia instead of their regimental ones. Similarly, they will wear anodised golden-coloured stars, Ashoka lion and crossed swords as their shoulder rank badges.
The Assam regiment currently wears silver ranks, while the Gorkha and Garhwali "rifle regiments" wear black ones. The majority of soldiers currently wear the golden-colored ranks. In contrast to the Guards' brass buttons and the Gorkhas' black ones, all of the uniform buttons will be green.
Brigadier and above ranks will also not wear lanyards different colours of which now are worn by different regiments. They all will also wear dark green berets instead of the five existing colours ranging from maroon ones for Para-Special Forces to black ones for armoured corps as of now.
However, junior officers will continue to wear their various uniforms and accessories that are specifically associated with their distinct arms, regiments, and services, in the ranks of Lieutenant through Colonel.