Navy embraces kurta-pyjama as part of 'Indianisation' drive

In a significant move to shed colonial-era vestiges and promote Indian traditions, the Indian Navy has officially allowed officers and sailors to wear kurta-pyjamas in officers' messes and sailors' institutes. This decision comes as part of the government's directive to "Indianise" military customs.

New Dress Code

The Navy has issued orders to all its commands and establishments, specifying guidelines for the attire. The kurta must be of a solid tone, with a length up to the knee and cuffs at sleeves with buttons or cuff-links. The narrow pyjama should be of a matching or contrast tone, in line with trousers, featuring an elastic waistband and side pockets. Additionally, a matching pocket square can be used with a sleeveless and straight-cut waistcoat or jacket.


It must be a “solid tone” kurta, with the length just up to the knee, and cuffs at sleeves with buttons or cuff-links. Design of the “matching or contrast tone” narrow pyjama, in turn, must be “in line with trousers, with elastic waistband and side pockets”, as per the order reported by TOI.

A “matching pocket square” can be used in the sleeveless and straight-cut waistcoat or jacket. There are similar instructions for women officers who want to wear “kurta-churidaar” or “kurta-palazzo”. “This new dress code is not applicable for warships or submarines,” an officer said.

Applicability and Exclusions

This new dress code is applicable when the prescribed rig is informal (open collar) or casuals in the messes. However, it is important to note that this attire is not applicable for warships or submarines.

Historical Context

The Navy's decision to allow kurta-pyjamas marks a significant departure from the past, where such attire was strictly banned in Army, IAF, and Navy messes. The move aligns with Prime Minister Modi's directive for "Gulami ki Mansikta Se Mukti" (freedom from slavery mentality) since 2022.

Mixed Reactions

While this move has been hailed as a step towards embracing Indian culture, it has also faced criticism. Many veterans feel that the repeated reference to "ghulami ki virasat" (heritage of slavery) is unnecessary and casts aspersions on the post-Independence generations of patriotic Indian Navy personnel.

The Navy’s repeated reference to this phrase, however, has not gone down well with many veterans. “It is unnecessary and in poor taste to harp on so-called `ghulami ki virasat (heritage of slavery) because it casts aspersions on the post-Independence generations of patriotic Indian Navy personnel who have served the Navy and nation, fought wars and shed blood,” former chief Admiral Arun Prakash (retd) had posted on `X’.

Further Changes

Apart from the dress code, the Navy is also in the process of "Indianising" the names of ranks for sailors and has discontinued the practice of officers carrying batons, considering it a symbol of authority from the colonial era.

(With inputs from TOI)