Indian Army to rename Indian Military Academy companies

Indian Military Academy Companies

Several training companies at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, previously named after battles fought during the British era, are now being renamed after battles fought post-Independence. This decision is part of the government’s effort to move away from colonial traditions and adopt practices that reflect Indian culture and heritage.

Currently, over half of the 12 training companies—such as Kohima, Al Alamein, Meiktila, Sangro, Imphal, Karen, and Cassino—are named after battles where Indian soldiers distinguished themselves as part of the British Indian Army. Now, names like Dograi, Nathu La, Chushul, Bagdam, Dras, Basantar, and Walong, which represent significant post-Independence battles, are being considered. The other companies at IMA—Naushera, Poonch, Zoji La, Jessore, and Sinhgarh—already honor battles fought after 1947.

The Indian Military Academy is organized into four training battalions—Cariappa, Manekshaw, Thimmaya, and Bhagat—each named after distinguished Indian Army leaders. While three are named after former Army Chiefs, the fourth honors Lt Gen PS Bhagat, a Victoria Cross recipient during World War II and the first General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command. In contrast, the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla has 18 squadrons, named using the phonetic alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, etc.), instead of battles.

The Indian armed forces have deep historical ties to the British military, influencing their uniforms, traditions, regimental practices, and even dining etiquettes. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need for the Indian military to shed outdated colonial-era practices and evolve into a forward-looking, futuristic force. Following this, the Navy adopted a new ensign inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji’s royal seal, replacing the colonial-era Saint George’s Cross. Traditional Indian attire, such as kurta-pyjama, has also been permitted in officers’ messes under specific standards.

The armed forces are reviewing over 75 colonial-era laws, practices, and procedures. Training programs now include ancient Indian texts like Chanakya’s Arthashastra to incorporate indigenous martial and strategic knowledge. Symbolic changes are also underway, such as replacing the iconic painting of Pakistan’s 1971 surrender in the Army Chief’s lounge with a new artwork, Karam Kshetra, which features Indian tanks and helicopters alongside elements representing India’s heritage and resilience, like a charioted warrior and a saffron-clad monk.

These changes reflect an effort to align the armed forces more closely with India’s cultural identity and modern aspirations.