Key highlights

• Army Day is observed on 15 January with an official historical reason.
• PIB/Ministry of Defence notes tie it to leadership transition in 1949.
• It is an institutional remembrance day, not a generic celebration.

Army Day is observed on 15 January because of a specific historical event: in 1949, General (later Field Marshal) K.M. Cariappa took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army after independence, succeeding the last British Commander-in-Chief.

That origin matters because it anchors the observance in an institutional turning point. Over time, Army Day has become a public moment to recognise service, tradition, and the Army’s role as a continuing national institution.

For citizens, the day often shows up through ceremonies, tributes, and public messaging. Its meaning stays constant: remembrance, recognition, and continuity.