2024 Army Day Parade to be held in Lucknow

The Indian Army will hold its ceremonial annual Day parade at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on 15 January 2024. Army Day is celebrated in India every year on 15 January as on this day, Field Marshal K M Carriapa became the first Indian Chief of the Indian Army. He took over the command from the British General Sir Roy Bucher. The first Army Day was held in 1949.

Last year, the Narendra Modi government decided to hold Army Day, Navy Day and Air Force Day outside New Delhi. The aim of the government is to promote public engagement, foster national unity, and showcase the might and discipline of the army before diverse audiences.

Army Day 

The 2023 Army Day parade was held in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It was the first time that the Army Day parade was held outside New Delhi. A decision has been taken by the government to hold the Army Day parade in each of the six operational command centres of the Indian Army. 

The Indian Army has 6 operational commands and one Training command. 

Command structure of the Indian Army 

Air Force Day 

The Air Force Day is celebrated on 8 October. The Indian Air Force was set up by the British on 8 October 1932. Traditionally, Air Force Day has been celebrated at the Hindon Air Base, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

In 2022, it was held at Chandigarh Air Base.

The 2023 Air Force Day will be held at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

Command Structure of the Indian Air Force 

Navy Day 

Navy Day is celebrated in India on 4 December. It commemorates the successful conclusion of Operation Trident of the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy launched Operation Trident during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. Its aim was to block the main Karachi port of Pakistan and cripple its war effort. 

The 2022 Indian Navy Day was held at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The 2023 Navy Day parade will be held at the Sindhudurg Fort off the Maharashtra coast. The Sindhudurg Fort was built by Maratha King Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century. 

In 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Indian Navy's new ensign at the commissioning ceremony of aircraft carrier Vikrant. The Naval ensign of St George was replaced with the seal of the Maratha king Shivaji Maharaj. 

Command Structure of the Indian Navy 

There is one  joint Tri-Service command of the Indian Air Force, Indian navy and the Indian Army. The headquarters of the Tri Service are at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar .