| President's Colour Award | |
| Description: | Highest Military Honour, awarded to military unit. |
| Firstawarded: | 27 May 1951[1] |
| Established: | 27 May 1951 |
| Eligibility: | Minimum 25 years of service |
| Type: | Military, police decoration |
| Presenter: | President of India |
The President's Colour Award is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon any military unit of India.[2] [3] It is also known as Nishaan, which is an emblem that is worn by all unit officers on the left-hand sleeve of their uniform.
The presentation of the award or standards by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of India (President of India) is an acknowledgement of the unit's meritorious service. While the practice of carrying the Colour into battle has stopped, the tradition of receiving, holding and parading the Colour continues even today in the Armed forces. To this day, the President's Colours is very significant, if the unit lose their colours, it is a disgrace for that unit and, if the unit captured the enemy's colours then it is a great honour for that unit.
The 'Standards' are awarded to Heavy Cavalry and the 'Guidons' are awarded to Light Cavalry.
In military organizations, the practice of carrying colours, standards or guidons, both to act as a rallying point for troops and to mark the location of the commander, is thought to have originated in Egypt some about 5,000 years ago.
In Indian context, 'Colours or Standards' are also known as 'Dhwajs or Patakas'. The concept of dhwajs has also roots in the 'Vedas' and 'Puranas'. The armies of the king or emperor were also carries the 'Dhwajs'. If the army lost its dhwaj to the hands of enemy, then it means disgrace and if the army capture the dhwaj of the enemy, then it means an honour. If the army accept the dhwajs of the King/Emperor, then it means that the army has accepted the supremacy of that King/Emperor.
In regiments of infantry of British Army and other armies of commonwealth nations, each battalion carries two colours, which collectively are called as stand. These are large flags 36in × 45in and mounted on a pike which is 8ft7½ in long; the king's/queen's version is usually the version of country's national flag, often trimmed with gold fabric, and with the regiment's insignia placed in the centre. The Regimental colour is a flag of a single colour, usually the colour of the uniform facing (collar/lapels/cuffs) of the regiment, again often trimmed and with the insignia in the centre. Most of the regiments that are designated as 'royal' regiments (that is either have the word 'Royal' or have the sponsorship of a royal personage in their name) have a navy blue colour Regimental Colour. Irish Regiments, today the Royal Irish Regiment, have a dark green Regimental Colour.
With East India Company coming under the control of the English, the regiments in India started as carrying colours of the British Crown. Later, it became the President's Colours.
India became a republic on 26 January 1950. One day earlier on 25 January, all 33 of the King's Colours which had been presented to the Indian Army, Royal Indian Navy, Royal Indian Air Force and their respective commands were "laid up" at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. From, 26 January 1950 onwards, the use of the prefix 'Royal' was discontinued. Later, they became the colours of the President of Republic of India.
On 27 February 1951, the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Sir Edward Parry, wrote to the defence minister Baldev Singh: "As you know that India became a Republic, Naval Custom was to parade the King's Colours ashore on the special ceremonial occasions. On and after 26 January 1950, however this practice was ceased and the ordinary Naval Ensign has been paraded instead. It would be a privilege of which the service would be extremely proud if the President of India would honour the Indian Navy by presenting to it a special flag which would be paraded on important occasions in the same manner as the King's Colours used to be."
Following the British tradition of the Navy being the senior of the three branches of the Indian Armed Forces, the Indian Navy was the first to presented with the President's Colours on 27 May 1951. In the years that followed, as the Navy grew in size and the function, President's Colours were presented to the Naval Commands and the Fleets.
The President's Colours/Standard/Guidon is one of the greatest honours bestowed upon in recognition of exceptional service rendered by it to the nation, both during war and peace.
The President's Colours of Indian Army infantry battalions (both regular line and rifle and scout infantry) follow the format of the line infantry regimental colours of the armies of the Commonwealth (and the King's/Queen's Colours of the Foot Guards of the British Army, in the case of the Brigade of the Guards). Each Colour is gold fringed and is brought out on major ceremonies. In the center, the heraldic badge and distinctive unit insignia of the reporting regiment is stationed, surrounded by wreaths in which the battalion motto can be seen. On the sides of the colour, which is in the facing colour of the regiment, are the recognized battle honours won by the battalion and the whole of the regiment. Some battle honours of the regiments of line, light and rifle infantry, granted prior to independence to units for battles or campaigns in India against the local rulers or nationalist forces, have been declared as 'repugnant' and are not celebrated or held in esteem, and as in the case of the President's Colours, are not displayed.[4] The recognized battle honours are displayed on gold scrolls that surround the unit badge. Unlike the British Army, which does not have colours for the light infantry and rifle regiments, the Indian Army also has President's Colours present in some of these units (following the Russian precedent adopted after the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War), with the first light infantry battalion colour being presented in 1968. These colours follow a similar design to that of the line infantry. The regimental centre colour, regardless of regiment, follows the same design as the battalion colour but with the heraldic arms of the regiment, and carries all the recognized battle honors of that regiment and the regimental motto instead of the battalion's.
The same design of colours is used by the combat and service support formations of the Army with the service or unit badge, motto and the battle honours.
The President's Standards and Guidons of Indian Army armoured and cavalry formations of the Indian Army Armoured Corps, smaller than the colours of the Infantry, have a similar design. All have gold fringe surrounding them, and the unit badge and its motto at the centre of it, surrounded by the recognized battle honors of the unit, all in the facing colour of the unit. The same case for repugnant honours goes for all of these formations of the Armoured Corps. The Standard of the Armoured Corps Centre carries all the Armoured Corps' recognized battle honours.
Units awarded the President's Standard have a design similar to the heavy cavalry regiments of the Commonwealth. Units however granted with the President's Guidon carry a similar design to those of the light cavalry regimental guidons, which are swallow-tailed.
It was the Indian Navy that was the first branch of the Armed Forces to receive the President's Colour in May 1951, one year after India became a republic of the Commonwealth. This colour, the President's Colour of the Navy, is the basis of the President's colours of all commands and services of the Navy. It is also awarded to ground naval bases and, as the President's Standard, to all naval combat and service support formations.
Similar to the case of the Royal Navy, all colours share the identical design of the President's Colour, which in turn, is based on the former design of the Indian Naval Ensign. Unlike the RN Ensign the old design was unique that it has a golden elephant, symbol of the nation, on the bottom left side of the colour. It as always been in white and fringed in gold, with the national flag on the canton with the St. George's Cross, symbolizing the roots of the Navy in the Royal Indian Marine, with the State Emblem of India at the center, in gold, under which, written in Devanagari script, is the national motto Satyameva Jayate (Truth Alone Triumphs). There are no battle honours in the President's Colours unlike those in the other services.
In 2022 a new design of the President's Colours and Standards for the Navy and all naval commands, services and bases and formations was released to replace the old design.[5] It retains much the design of the 2001-04 ensign and the gold fringe, but instead of the arms of that emblem, its feature on the fly is a octagonal navy blue shield—the official new heraldic emblem of the force—based on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's's royal seal surrounding the heraldic arms in gold, which also corrects a long omission from that ensign as well—the addition of, in Devanagari, the official motto of the Navy—May the Lord of Waters Be Auspicious Unto Us (Shaṁ No Varunaḥ). The shield is also gold fringed with two gold borders. The octagon represents the Navy's missions of national maritime defense and its multi-directional reach. The new design of the arms is the State Emblem atop a clear anchor in gold. Atop the emblem is the State Emblem and the national motto from the old design.
All Indian Air Force air combat and combat support formations carry the President's Standard, which is in sky blue with the squadron or helicopter unit heraldic arms with the recognized battle honours given to these formations similar to those of the Army. Since it was established in 1932, there are no repugnant battle honours in these Standards, as the battle honours for these formations date beginning to the Second World War, the force's baptism of fire, and onwards.
The President's Colour is carried by Indian Air Force service support, education and training institutions and it uses the same design as in the President's Standard. It is also carried by air base and air station personnel and carries the same battle honours.
The Air Force itself has its own President's Colour—a gold fringed version of the official service ensign with the gold elephant on top of the air force roundel.
See main article: Presentation of Colours.
The formation for the ceremonial parade is a battalion-sized (100–500 soldiers) formation of military units of an armed forces formation (from either the navy, army and air force) or a law enforcement formation. Four to eight companies is the usual size of the parade and a military band combined with a pipe band providing the ceremonial music is present. The parade commander, the Field Officer holding the rank of a major or lieutenant colonel (commander or lieutenant commander in the navy, wing commander or squadron leader in the air force), takes his place in the center of the parade field, assisted by the Second-in-Command and the Parade Adjutant. All wear full dress uniform.
The President of India, the ceremony's guest of honour, arrives as the parade renders a full National Salute as the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana is played by the band and a 21-gun salute is fired (occasionally by the Indian Army Regiment of Artillery). After the anthem, the parade is inspected, as the band plays a slow march. If any old colours are present, they are marched out of the field for the final time as the new colours of the unit are about to replace these colours, and the parade renders a salute as the audience in the grandstand stands in respect and the President, together with the service chiefs, salutes it one final time.
Then, the Sarvadharma Samaroh begins. A drum altar had been formed by members of the band and the unit pipe band, and the new colour, which had already been removed of its cloth case, is brought there by the quartermaster of the unit. Afterwards, the Nishaan is consecrated by military chaplains of religions represented in the Armed Forces (Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity and Islam). Then, the President's Colour is received by an officer designated as Nishan Adhikari on behalf of the military or police unit (in question) during the parade by the President or any other designated person on behalf of him or her, who serves as the unit ensign (holding rank of lieutenant in the Army, sublieutenant in the Navy and flying officer in the Air Force). Then, the ceremony ends with the National Anthem as the colour is marched into the parade formation, which salutes the colour. The drummers then return to their places in the band. Following that, the battalion marches past in quick time with the new colours before returning to their places. (If in the Navy, the Colour is dipped in the President's presence while marching past, and is recovered after passing the grandstand). If the parade marches past in slow time before the quick march segment the same pattern is observe with the sole exception of the Navy's colour which is also dipped in a slow time march.
With this portion being complete, the President or delegated reviewing officer will briefly address the regiment of which he/she presented the colours to, which will be concluded with the speaker expressing confidence in the unit, before that the unit commander makes his address of gratitude thanking the reviewing officer for their words and for their presence in the ceremony. After that, an Advance in Review Order is done, and one final National Salute is rendered. After the final salute, the battalion, together with the band and pipes and drums, marches off in quick time, and the colour guard squad marches off the field.
In the absence of the President of India, the Vice President of India does not present colours to regiments, ships or air squadrons. The responsibility of being the guest of honour in his or her absence is prerogative of the Services Chiefs[6] and as such, a General Salute is performed as the band plays appropriate music.
When the president is absent, the federal Minister of Home Affairs or at times the Vice President or Prime Minister serves as delegate in any colour presentation ceremony to federal and/or state police forces. As such, a General Salute is performed by the parade assembled as the band plays appropriate music unless the National Anthem is played in the Vice President's presence.
Salutes are also given in a presentation ceremony to state governors who are acting on behalf of the President and in the name of their state governments.
See main article: State and UT Police Forces.
| 1 | Uttar Pradesh Police | 23 November 1952, at Lucknow | Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru | UP Police celebrates the flag day every year on 23 November. | |
| 2 | Delhi Police | 1954, at Delhi | President Dr. Rajendra Prasad | ||
| 3 | Maharashtra Police | 1961, at Mumbai | Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru[7] | ||
| 4 | Jammu and Kashmir Police | 26 June 2003, at Udhampur | President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.[8] | ||
| 5 | Tamil Nadu Police | 31 July 2022, at Chennai | Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu | Status: Approved on 19 August 2009[9] | |
| 6 | Tripura Police | 11 January 2012, at Agartala | Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari | On behalf of the President.[10] | |
| 7 | Gujarat Police | 15 December 2019, at Gandhinagar | Vice President Venkaiah Naidu[11] | ||
| 8 | Himachal Pradesh Police | 1 December 2021, at Shimla | Governor of Himachal Pradesh Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar | Status: Approved on 17 March 2019, 'Colours' presented on behalf of the President of India Shri Ramnath Kovind, first time a state governor has presented Colours[12] | |
| 9 | Haryana Police | 17 January 2022 | Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah | Status: Approved on 17 January 2022 | |
| 10 | Assam Police | 10 May 2022, at Guwahati | Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah | On behalf of the President of India Shri Ramnath Kovind |
| 1 | Mumbai Police | 1 December 1954 | Morarji Desai, Chief Minister of then Bombay State. |
See main article: State Armed Police Forces.
| 1 | Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary (UPPAC) | 23 November 1952 | Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru | ||
| 2 | Maharashtra State Reserve Police Force (MSRPF) | 6 March 2003, at Pune | Governor of Maharashtra Mohammed Fazal | "Regimental Colours" |
See main article: Indian Coast Guard.
On 1 December 2002, the President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam awarded the prestigious President's Colours to the Indian Coast Guard, at the Indian Coast Guard Air Station Daman.[16]
See main article: Indian Army.
The Honorable President of India and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, awarded the prestigious President's Standards to Armoured Corps Centre and School, during a grand Ceremonial Parade held at Ahmednagar on 15 April 2017.
| Sr no. | Regiment | Date and place | Awarded by | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) | November 1961 | President Dr. Rajendra Prasad | Awarded with the 'Guidon'. |
| 2 | 31 March 1971, at Babina | President V. V. Giri | Awarded with the 'Guidon'. | |
| 3 | 1st Horse (Skinner's Horse) | Awarded with the 'Guidon'. | ||
| 4 | 16th Light Cavalry | 4 March 1976, at Pathankot, Punjab | President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed | To mark its bicentenary the President of India presented the colours to this famous Regiment. |
| 5 | 4th Horse (Hodson's Horse) | Awarded with the 'Guidon'. | ||
| 6 | 8th Light Cavalry | 10 November 1976, at Jodhpur | Awarded with the 'Guidon'. | |
| 7 | 65th Armoured Regiment (India) | 11 November 1976 | Awarded with the 'Guidon'. | |
| 8 | 61st Cavalry (India) | 23 September 1977 | Shri B.D. Jatti, Vice President of India | Awarded with the 'Guidon'. |
| 9 | 66th Armoured Regiment (India) | 6 November 1979 | President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy | The Regiment became the youngest to be presented with the "Guidon". |
| 10 | 18 Cavalry | 26 March 1980 | Awarded with the 'Guidon'. | |
| 11 | 62 Cavalry | 31 March 1981, at Ambala | Awarded with the 'Guidon'. | |
| 12 | 45th Cavalry (India) | 11 December 1981 | Awarded with the 'Guidon'. | |
| 13 | 63rd Cavalry (India) | 2 January 1982 | Awarded with the 'Guidon'. | |
| 14 | Central India Horse | 8 January 1983 | President Giani Zail Singh | Awarded with the 'Guidon'. |
| 15 | 9th Deccan Horse | 9 January 1984, at Nabha, Punjab | Awarded with the 'Guidon'. | |
| 16 | 8 February 1989 | President R Venkataraman | Awarded with the 'Guidon'. | |
| 17 | 64th Cavalry (India) | 7 April 1991, at Jammu | Awarded with the 'Guidon'. | |
| 18 | 71st Armoured Regiment (India) | 16 December 1994, at Suratgarh | President Shankar Dayal Sharma | Awarded with the 'Standard'. |
| 19 | 72nd Armoured Regiment (India) | Awarded with the 'Standard'. | ||
| 20 | 69th Armoured Regiment (India) | 1 December 2003, at Hisar | President Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam | Awarded with the 'Standard'. |
| 21 | 86th Armoured Regiment (India) | 1 December 2003, at Mamun Cantonment near Pathankot | Awarded with the 'Standard'. | |
| (9) | 66th Armoured Regiment (India) | 6 December 2004 | COAS presented the "Standard" to the Regiment to commemorate the Regiment's 38 years of dedicated service to the nation and valour of the 1971 War, On behalf of the President Kalam. | |
| 22 | 68th Armoured Regiment (India) | 16 May 2005, at Bhatinda, Punjab | President Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam | Also, released the First Day Cover of the Regiment. |
| 23 | 81st Armoured Regiment (India) | 16 May 2005, at Jodhpur, Rajasthan | ||
| (11) | 62 Cavalry | 31 March 2006, at Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand | Gen JJ Singh presented a new President's Standard to the 62nd Cavalry. | |
| 24 | 46th Armoured Regiment (India) | 17 Oct 2008, at Hisar, Haryana | President Pratibha Patil | Awarded with the 'Standard'. |
| 25 | 83 Armoured Regiment | 19 October 2010, at Babina, UP | White Tiger Armored Division[28] | |
| 26 | 13th Armoured Regiment (India) | 19 October 2010, at Babina, UP | ||
| 27 | 12th Armoured Regiment | 19 October 2010, at Babina, UP | ||
| 28 | 15th Armoured Regiment | 19 October 2010, at Babina, UP | ||
| 29 | 19th Armoured Regiment (India) | 19 October 2010, at Babina, UP | ||
| 30 | 85th Armoured Regiment (India) | 30 September 2011, at Roorkee | Chief of the Army Staff, General V. K. Singh | Awarded with the 'Standard', On behalf of the President of India, Mrs Pratibha Patil. |
| 31 | 70 Armoured Regiment | 28 November 2011, at Patiala | President Pratibha Patil | [29] |
| 32 | 73 Armoured Regiment | 28 November 2011, at Patiala | Awarded with the 'Standard'. | |
| 33 | 74 Armoured Regiment | 28 November 2011, at Patiala | Awarded with the 'Standard'. | |
| 34 | 5th Armoured Regiment | 28 November 2011, at Patiala | Awarded with the 'Standard'. | |
| 35 | 6th Lancers (India) | 28 November 2011, at Patiala | Awarded with the 'Standard'. | |
| 36 | 89th Armoured Regiment (India) | November 30, 2013, at Namkum, Ranchi | Chief of Army Staff, General Bikram Singh | |
| 37 | 67th Armoured Regiment (India) | 21 February 2014, at Bikaner Military Station | Awarded with the 'Standard'. | |
| 38 | 50th Armoured Regiment (India) | 5 November 2014, at Mamun Military Station | COAS General Dalbir Singh | Awarded with the 'Standard'. |
| 39 | 84 Armoured Regiment | 5 November 2014, at Mamun Military Station | Awarded with the 'Standard'. | |
| 40 | 44 Armoured Regiment | 25 Feb 2015, at Suratgarh Military Station | ||
| (10) | 18 Cavalry | 7 March 2016 | ||
| 41 | 43 Armoured Regiment | 16 March 2016, at Jaisalmer Military Station | ||
| 42 | 75 Armoured Regiment | 16 March 2016, at Jaisalmer Military Station | ||
| 43 | 47th Armoured Regiment (India) | 21 October 2017, at Sunjuwan Military Station, Jammu | COAS General Bipin Rawat | |
| 44 | 10th Armoured Regiment (India) | 5 December 2017, at Suratgarh Military Station, Rajasthan | ||
| 45 | 41 Armoured Regiment | 5 December 2017, at Suratgarh Military Station, Rajasthan | ||
| 46 | 87th Armoured Regiment (India) | 5 December 2017, at Suratgarh Military Station, Rajasthan |
See main article: Indian Air Force.
On 1 April 1954, the President's Colour was awarded to the IAF at Palam by the President Dr. Rajendra Prasad.[33]
List of President's Colour awarded to the Air Force Stations of the IAF
List of President's Colour awarded to the Squadrons of the IAF
| Sr no. | Squadron | Date and place | Awarded by | Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No. 1 Squadron | 18 Oct 1968 | President Zakir Hussain | ||
| 2 | No. 12 Squadron | 15 Mar 1971, at AFS Agra | President V. V. Giri | Transport Squadron | |
| 3 | No. 3 Squadron | 18 Mar 1975 | |||
| 4 | No. 5 Squadron | 09 Apr 1975 | |||
| 5 | No. 106 Squadron | 09 Apr 1975 | |||
| 6 | No. 101 Squadron | 19 Nov 1975 | |||
| 7 | No. 16 Squadron | 13 Nov 1976 | |||
| 8 | No. 23 Squadron | 13 Nov 1976 | |||
| 9 | No. 2 Squadron | 15 Dec 1979 | |||
| 10 | No. 4 Squadron | 15 Dec 1979 | |||
| 11 | No. 6 Squadron | 20 Dec 1980 | |||
| 12 | No. 7 Squadron | 20 Dec 1980 | |||
| 13 | No. 8 Squadron | 05 Mar 1984 at Tezpur | President Giani Zail Singh | Mig21 Squadron at the time (Eight Pursoots) | |
| 14 | No. 9 Squadron | 11 Dec 1984, at Palam | |||
| 15 | No. 10 Squadron | 18 Mar 1985 at Jodhpur | |||
| 16 | No. 11 Squadron | 18 Mar 1985 at Jodhpur | |||
| 17 | No. 17 Squadron | 08 Nov 1988 at Palam | |||
| 18 | No. 28 Squadron | 02 Apr 1991 at Pune | |||
| 19 | No. 20 Squadron | 10 Mar 1992 at Kalaikunda | |||
| 20 | No. 43 Squadron | 10 Mar 1992 at Kalaikunda | |||
| 21 | No. 14 Squadron | 11 Nov 1994 at Ambala | |||
| 22 | No. 15 Squadron | 26 Oct 1995 at Jodhpur | President Shankar Dayal Sharma | ||
| 23 | No. 27 Squadron | 13 Nov 1996 at Gorakhpur | |||
| 24 | No. 29 Squadron | 07 Nov 1997 at Palam | |||
| 25 | No. 41 Squadron | 07 Nov 1997 at Palam | |||
| 26 | No. 35 Squadron | 24 Oct 2000 at Bareilly | |||
| 27 | No. 37 Squadron | 15 Feb 2007 | |||
| 28 | No. 48 Squadron | 15 Feb 2007 | |||
| 29 | No. 59 Squadron | 12 Nov 2008 | |||
| 30 | No. 108 Squadron | 22 Mar 2009 | President Smt Pratibha Patil | ||
| 31 | No. 47 Squadron | 10 Nov 2009 | |||
| 32 | No. 49 Squadron | 09 Mar 2010 | President Smt Pratibha Patil | ||
| 33 | No. 31 Squadron | 08 Jan 2011 | |||
| 34 | No. 44 Squadron | 09 Mar 2011 | |||
| 35 | No. 24 Squadron | 06 Mar 2012 | |||
| 36 | No. 33 Squadron | 18 Dec 2012 | |||
| 37 | No. 25 Squadron | 18 Dec 2012 | |||
| 38 | No. 220 Squadron | 20 Nov 2013 | |||
| 39 | No. 32 Squadron | 20 Nov 2013 | President Shri Pranab Mukherjee | ||
| 40 | No. 26 Squadron | 21 Nov 2014 | |||
| 41 | No. 21 Squadron | 04 Mar 2015 | |||
| 42 | No. 18 Squadron | 28 Nov 2015 | |||
| 43 | No. 22 Squadron | 28 Nov 2015 | Info[34] | ||
| 44 | No. 30 Squadron | 10 November 2016 | President Pranab Mukherjee | Info[35] | |
| 45 | No. 223 Squadron | 16 November 2017 | President Ramnath Kovind | ||
| 46 | No. 51 Squadron | 22 March 2018, at AFS Halwara | President Ramnath Kovind | ||
| 47 | No. 45 Squadron | 8 March 2024, at AFS Hindon | President Draupadi Murmu | ||
| 48 | No. 221 Squadron | 8 March 2024, at AFS Hindon | President Draupadi Murmu |
List of President's Colour awarded to the Helicopter Units of the IAF
| Sr no. | Helicopter squadron | Date and place | Awarded by | Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No. 104 Helicopter Unit | 08 Nov 1988 | |||
| 2 | No. 109 Helicopter Unit | 02 Apr 1991 at Pune | |||
| 3 | No. 114 Helicopter Unit | 13 Nov 1996 at Gorakhpur | |||
| 4 | No. 105 Helicopter Unit | 25 Mar 2009 | |||
| 5 | No. 107 Helicopter Unit | 09 Mar 2010 | President Smt Pratibha Patil | ||
| 6 | No. 110 Helicopter Unit | 09 Mar 2011 | |||
| 7 | No. 111 Helicopter Unit | 06 Mar 2012 | |||
| 8 | No. 112 Helicopter Unit | 11 Mar 2014 | |||
| 9 | No. 115 Helicopter Unit | 21 Nov 2014 | |||
| 10 | No. 116 Helicopter Unit | 04 Mar 2015 | |||
| 11 | No. 119 Helicopter Unit | 6 March 2016, at AFS Jamnagar | President Pranab Mukherjee | ||
| 12 | No. 125 Helicopter Unit | 4 March 2017, at AFS Tambaram | President Pranab Mukherjee | ||
| 13 | No. 117 Helicopter Unit | 16 November 2017 | President Ramnath Kovind | Info[36] | |
| 14 | No. 118 Helicopter Unit | 29 November 2018, at AFS Guwahati | President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind |
List of President's Colour awarded to the Signal Units of the IAF
| Sr no. | Unit | Date and place | Awarded by | Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No. 230 Signal Unit | 22 March 2018 at AFS Halwara | President Ramnath Kovind | Info[37] | |
| 2 | No. 501 Signal Unit | 10 November 2016 at AFS Barnala | President Pranab Mukherjee | ||
| 3 | No. 509 Signal Unit | 8 March 2024 at AFS Hindon | President Draupadi Murmu |
List of President's Colour awarded to the Base Repair Depots of the IAF
| Sr no. | Base Repair Depot | Date and place | Awarded by | Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No. 1 BRD | 01 Nov 2004 at AFS Kanpur | President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam | ||
| 2 | No. 9 BRD | 08 Jan 2011 | President Smt Pratibha Patil | ||
| 3 | No. 3 BRD | 15 Mar 2013 | President Smt Pratibha Patil | ||
| 4 | No. 4 BRD | 11 Mar 2014 | President Pranab Mukherjee | ||
| 5 | No. 5 BRD | 4 March 2019 at AFS Hakimpet | President Ramnath Kovind | Info[38] | |
| 6 | No. 11 BRD | 8 March 2024 at AFS Hindon | President Draupadi Murmu |
List of President's Colour awarded to the Equipment Depots of the IAF
List of President's Colour awarded to the Institutions of the IAF
| Sr no. | Institutions | Date and place | Awarded by | Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air Force Academy | 10 Sep 1975 at Hyderabad | |||
| 2 | Paratroopers Trg School | 11 Nov 1994 at Ambala | |||
| 3 | Flying Instructors School | 26 Oct 1995 at Jodhpur | President Shankar Dayal Sharma | ||
| 4 | Air Force Administrative College (AFAC) | 24 Oct 2000 at Bareilly | |||
| 5 | Aircrew Examining Board (AEB) | 01 Nov 2004 at Kanpur | President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam | Info[40] | |
| 6 | Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) | 21 Nov 2005 at Bangalore | |||
| 7 | Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) | 21 Nov 2005, at Bangalore | |||
| 8 | Air Force Technical College (AFTC) | 12 Nov 2008 | President Smt Pratibha Patil | ||
| 9 | Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) | 10 Nov 2009 | President Smt Pratibha Patil | ||
| 10 | Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME) | 15 Mar 2013 | |||
| 11 | Mechanical Training Institute (MTI) | 4 March 2017, at AFS Tambaram | President Pranab Mukherjee | ||
| 12 | Air Defence College | 29 November 2018, at AFS Guwahati | President Shri Ramnath Kovind |
See main article: Indian Navy.
The Indian Navy was the first branch of the Armed Forces which was rewarded with the President's Colours on 27 May 1951, by the President Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Since then every service command and ground installation of the Navy has been awarded the President's Colour of the Navy.