India observed 10th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day on 14 January 2026, honouring service, sacrifice and continued contribution of ex-servicemen and standing in solidarity with the next of kin of martyrs. Nationwide events were organised across States and Union Territories, reflecting India’s institutional commitment to veteran welfare. India has over 3 million defence veterans.
Why Armed Forces Veterans’ Day is observed on 14 January
- The day commemorates the legacy of Field Marshal KM Cariappa, the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.
- He retired from service on 14 January 1953, formally becoming a veteran.
- Post-retirement, he remained actively involved in public service and veteran welfare, frequently visiting frontline troops to boost morale.
- 15 January is celebrated as Army Day, marking the day in 1949 when Field Marshal Cariappa took over command from General Sir F. R. R. Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief.
Institutional legacy of Field Marshal KM Cariappa
- He played a key role in establishing the Directorate of Resettlement, later upgraded to the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR).
- DGR functions under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence.
- Mandate:
- Resettlement policies
- Training and employment opportunities for retired soldiers
How Veterans’ Day began in India
- First observed on 14 January 2017 as a pan-India event.
- Organised under the Ministry of Defence.
- Objectives:
- Honour tri-services veterans (Army, Navy, Air Force).
- Strengthen bonds between serving personnel and veterans.
- Provide a platform to address pension, resettlement and welfare issues of ex-servicemen and their families.
Significance of 10th Veterans’ Day (2026)
- Marked a decade of institutional recognition of veterans’ role in:
- National security
- Nation-building
- Social service and mentorship
- Emphasised that veteran welfare is a continuum of service, not an endpoint after retirement.
Major programmes and activities on Veterans’ Day
Events organised across major military stations and cities included:
Ceremonial and outreach activities
- Rallies and ceremonial parades
- Wreath-laying ceremonies
- Veterans’ gatherings with Veer Naris and families
- Grievance redressal counters and facilitation help desks
Welfare and service counters
- Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (DIAV)
- Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Helpline
- Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS)
- Army Welfare Placement Organisation (AWPO)
- Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB)
- Directorate General Resettlement (DGR)
- Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA)
- Canteen Services Directorate (CSD)
- Army Welfare Education Society (AWES)
Additional initiatives
- Medical camps for on-site health screening and consultation
- Information dissemination on pensions, resettlement, healthcare and education
Release of veterans’ magazines
On the occasion, annual magazines were released:
- SAMMAAN – Directorate of Indian Army Veterans
- SAGAR SAMVAD – Directorate of Naval Veterans
- VAYU SAMVEDNA – Directorate of Air Veterans
Veterans’ Day in other countries
United States & Western countries
- Veterans’ Day / Armistice Day / Remembrance Day
- Observed on 11 November
- Marks the end of World War I (11th hour, 11th day, 11th month of 1918)
Australia & New Zealand
- ANZAC Day: 25 April
- Commemorates soldiers who served and died in wars and peacekeeping missions
- Marks the 1915 Gallipoli landings