President's Colour Award

The President's Colour Award is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon any military unit of India.[2][3] It is also known as ′Nishaan′ which is an emblem that will be worn by all unit officers on the left-hand sleeve of their uniform.

President's Colour Award
The President, Shri Ramnath Kovind presenting the prestigious President’s Colours to all five Ladakh Scouts Battalions and Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre, at Leh on August 21, 2017.
TypeMilitary, Police decoration
DescriptionHighest Military Honour, awarded to military unit.
Country India
Presented byPresident of India
EligibilityMinimium 25 Years of Service.
Established27 May 1951
First awarded27 May 1951[1]

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. Today also, the President's Colours is very significant, if the unit lose its colours then 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.

History

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 Royal 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 - "As you know that the 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 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.

President's Colours/Standard 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 ceremony

At First, the Guard of Honour is received by the President. Then, the Sarvadharma Samaroh begins and the priests of Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam and Christianity pray for the 'Nishaan'. Then, the President’s Colour is received by an officer designated as Nishan Adhikari on behalf of military unit (in question) during a ceremonial parade from the President of India or any other designated person on behalf of him. Then, the ceremony ends with the National Anthem.

For Indian Armed Forces

In the absence of the President of India, the Vice President of India does not present colours to regiments, ships or air squadrons. Then that job is the prerogative of the Services Chiefs.[4]

President's Colours awarded to the State and UT Police Forces
List of President's Colours awarded to the State and UT Police Forces
Sr No. Police Date and Place Awarded by Info
1 Uttar Pradesh Police 23 November 1952 Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru UP Police celebrates the flag day every year on 23 November.
2 Maharashtra Police 1961 Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru[5]
3 Tamil Nadu Police August, 2009 President Pratibha Patil Status: Approved[6]
4 Tripura Police 11 January 2012 Vice President Hamid Ansari On behalf of the President.[7]
5 Gujarat Police 15 December 2019 Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu[8]
6 Himachal Pradesh Police 17 March 2019 President Ramnath Kovind Status: Approved[9]
7 Jammu and Kashmir Police 26 June 2003 President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.[10]
8 Madhya Pradesh
9 Assam Police
10 Delhi Police

Police commissionerates
List of President's Colours awarded to the Police Commissionerates
Sr No. Police Date and Place Awarded by Info
1 Mumbai Police 1 December 1954 Morarji Desai, Chief Minister of then Bombay State.

State Armed Police Forces
Main article: State Armed Police Forces
List of President's Colours awarded to the State Armed Police Forces
Sr No. Police Date and Place Awarded by Info
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

President's Colours awarded to the Forces of various Ministries of the Government of India
  1. Ministry of Railways
    1. Railway Protection Force (RPF).
      The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting the 'Colour' to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) at a Ceremonial Parade, in New Delhi, on May 22, 2006.
      On 22 March 2006, the President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam awarded the President's Colours to the RPF, at New Delhi.[11]
  2. Ministry of Home Affairs (India)
    1. Central Armed Police Forces
      1. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).On 19 March 1950, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Home Minister of India presented the President's Colours to the CRPF. CRPF was the first CAPF which was awarded with the 'Colours'.
        1. Rapid Action Force (RAF).
          The Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani presenting the prestigious 'Colours' to the RAF.
          On 7 October 2003, L. K. Advani, the Deputy Prime Minister of India and the Home Minister of India presented the President's Colours to the RAF.
      2. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
        The Deputy Prime Minister Shri L.K. Advani presenting the President's Colour to the Sashastra Seema Bal on the occasion of the 41st Anniversary of the Bal, in New Delhi, on March 27, 2004.
        On 27 March 2004, the President's Colours were awarded to the SSB by the Deputy Prime Minister Shri L.K. Advani .[12]
      3. Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
        PM Rajiv Gandhi presenting the'colours'to the ITBP.
        On June 20, 1987, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi presented the 'colors' to the ITBP.
      4. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). was raised on 10 March 1969 and CISF celebrates its raising day every year on 10 March. The Prime Minister P. V. Narsimha Rao also presented the 'Colours' to the CISF on 10 March 1994, at Ghaziabad.
      5. Border Security Force. On March, 1984, The 'colours' was presented by the Home Minister Prakash Chandra Sethi to the BSF.
    2. Assam Rifles. Assam Rifles was awarded with the 'COLOURS' by the Hon'ble President Giani Zail Singh on 29 Mar, 1985.
    3. National Security Guards (NSG) (Special Forces of India).
      President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam presenting the President's Colours to the NSG.
      On 16 October 2004, the President's Colours were awarded to the NSG by the President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam at New Delhi.
  3. Ministry of Defence
    1. Interservice Institutions of Defence
      1. Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, Tamil Nadu.
        The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Presidential Colours to the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Tamil Nadu.
        Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) was awarded on 9 September 2016, by the President Pranab Mukherjee.[13]

President's Colours awarded to the Indian Armed Forces

Indian Coast Guard
Main article: Indian Coast Guard
The President's Colour awarded to the 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.[14]

Indian Army
Main article: Indian Army
  • Infantry Regiments of the Indian Army
  1. Madras Regiment.
    President V. V. Giri presenting the 'Colours' to the 9th Battalion of the Madras Regiment.
    The Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh presenting the President’s Colours to 20 Madras Battalions of the Madras Regiment, in Tamil Nadu on April 05, 2015.
    • Madras Regimental Centre with 15 Units of Madras Regiment were awarded on 23 May 1970, by the President V. V. Giri.
    • 27 Madras and 28 Madras were awarded on 23 September 1978, by the COAS Om Prakash Malhotra.
    • 11 Madras and 12 Madras on 19 May 1982, were awarded by the COAS Kotikalapudi Venkata Krishna Rao.
    • 10 Madras was awarded on 15 April 1988, by the COAS Krishnaswamy Sundarji.[15]
    • 20 Madras Battalion and 21 Madras Battalion of Madras Regiment were awarded on 5 April 2015, at Wellington Military Station by General Dalbir Singh, Chief of Army Staff, on behalf of the President.[16]
  2. Punjab Regiment.
    Regimental Colours of the 25th Battalion of Punjab Regiment.
    • On 18 Mar 1969, Dr Zakir Husain, the President of India, presented the new colours to the Punjab Regiment at Meerut.
    • On 16 Feb 1985, Gen AS Vaidya, Chief of the Army Staff presented colours to the three Battalions of the Punjab Regiment.
    • The 28 Punjab Regiment was presented colours on 3 February 2004 at a ceremony at the Kila Hari Drill Square at the Punjab Regimental Centre, Ramgarh Cantt by Gen NC Vij, Chief of the Army Staff.[15]
    • On 25 September 2019, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat presented the 'President's Colours' to 29th and 30th battalions of the Punjab Regiment, on the behalf of the President of India, at the Punjab Regimental Centre, Ramgarh, Jharkhand .[17]
  3. Bihar Regiment.
    The Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh presenting the President’s Colours, at Bihar Regimental Centre, in Danapur on November 19, 2016.
    • The first Colour presentation of the Regiment was held on 26 November 1970. Mr G S Pathak, the then Vice President of India, during an impressive ceremonial parade presented new Colours to the Centre and ten battalions.
    • On 29 November 1991, 16 BIHAR and 17 BIHAR were Presented Colours by the Chief of the Army Staff General SF Rodrigues.
    • General Dalbir Singh, the Chief of the Army Staff, on 19 November 2016, presented the President’s Colours to the 18th, 19th and 20th battalions of the Bihar Regiment at the Bihar Regimental Centre, Danapur.[18]
  4. Kumaon Regiment.[19]
    Stamp of India - 1988 - Colnect 165236 - 4th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment.
    • 4 Kumaon was the first battalion of the Indian Army to be presented with the 'Colours' on April 7, 1961, by the first President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad.
    • On October 27, 1970, in a ceremony where old colours were laid down and the new 'Colours' were presented by the President Varahagiri Venkata Giri, at Ranikhet.
  5. Assam Regiment.
    Postcard: Assam Regiment 5th Reunion in Shillong (1983).
    • On 4 February 1976, the then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed presented new 'colours' to the Assam Regiment, at Jorhat.
    • General Dalbir Singh, COAS presented the 'colours' to the 16 & 17 ASSAM on 16 November 2016, at ARC Shillong.
      The Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh presenting the colours to 16 ASSAM, 17 ASSAM, 1 & 2 Arunachal Scouts, at the Assam Regimental Center, Shillong, Meghalaya on November 16, 2016.
  6. Arunachal Scouts.
    • General Dalbir Singh, COAS presented the 'colours' to the 1 & 2 Arunachal Scouts on 16 November 2016, at ARC Shillong.
  7. Ladakh Scouts.
    The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the President’s Colours to all five Ladakh Scouts Battalions and Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre, in Leh.
    • Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre and all five battalions of the Regiment were awarded on 27 August 2017, at Leh, Ladakh by President Ramnath Kovind.[20]
  8. Jat Regiment.
    Regimental Colours of the Jat Regiment.
    • The First Indian Colours were presented to fourteen bns and the Centre by the then President Dr Zakir Hussain on 23rd Nov 1967 at the Jat Regt Centre, Bareilly. This also holds the record for the maximum number of colours given to Units during one Colour presentation ceremony.
      • The Units those awarded - 1st Bn, 2nd Bn, 3rd Bn, 4th Bn, 5th Bn, 6th Bn, 7th Bn, 8th Bn, 9th Bn, 11th Bn, 14th Bn, 16th Bn, 17th Bn & 18th Bn.
    • The second set of Colours was presented to three more bns of the Regt by the then Chief of Army Staff Gen KV Krishna Rao, PVSM, ADC on 23 Nov 1983 at The Jat Regt Centre, Bareilly.
      • The Units those awarded - 12th Bn, 15th Bn & 19th Bn.
    • The third set of Colours was given to the Regt during the bicentenary celebrations by the then Chief of Army Staff Gen Shankar Roy Choudhury, PVSM, ADC on 20 Nov 1995 at The Jat Regt Centre, Bareilly, with this set of colour presentations all the eighteen regular bns had received the President’s Colours.
      • The Units those awarded - 20th Bn & 21st Bn.
    • 1 JAT (LI) which traces its history back to 1803 laid to rest its sixth colour (first after independence) given by President Dr Zakir Hussain on 23rd Nov 1967 at JRC and received its seventh colour as 2 Mech Inf (1 JAT LI) on 22nd Feb 1988 at Ahmednagar from the then President Dr R Venkatraman.
  9. Rajput Regiment.
    Stamp of India - 1998 - Colnect 161889 - 2nd Battalion Rajput Regiment Kalichindi.
    • On 17 November 1966, in a ceremony at Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh, old colours were laid down and the new 'colours' were awarded to the Rajput Regiment by then President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.
  10. Dogra Regiment.
    Regimental Flag of the Dogra Regiment.
    • On 8 November 1968, the President Dr. Zakir Husain presented new 'colours' to all the then existing battalions of the Dogra Regiment, and old colours received on 15 February, 1930 were laid to rest at the Dogra Regimental Centre, Meerut.
    • On 24 November 1979, the COAS, General Om Prakash Malhotra presented the 'colours' to the 11th & 12th Battalion of the Dogra Regiment.
    • On 18 February 1984, the COAS, General A S Vaidya presented the 'colours' to the 17th Dogra Battalion at Faizabad.
    • On 3 March 1993, the COAS, General Sunith Francis Rodrigues presented the 'colours' to the 18th Dogra Battalion.
    • On 22 February 2003, the COAS, General N C Vij presented the 'colours' to the 16th Battalion.
  11. Sikh Regiment.
    • On 2 March 1968, the Sikh Regiment was awarded with new colours by then President Zakir Hussain, at Meerut.
  12. Mahar Regiment.
    File:The Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh presenting the ‘President’s Colours’ to 20 Mahar Battalion of the Mahar Regiment, on the occasion of Platinum Jubilee of the Regiment, at Saugor Military Station, in Sagar.
    • On 3 February 1970, the then President V. V. Giri presented the new 'colours' to the Mahar Regiment, at Sagar.
    • 20 MAHAR and 21 MAHAR Battalions of the Mahar Regiment were awarded on 4 November 2016, at Saugor Military Station by General Dalbir Singh, Chief of Army Staff, on behalf of the President.[21]
  13. Naga Regiment.
    • 1 Naga was presented with the ‘Colours’ on 6 May 1978 at Dehradun by Shri Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the President of India.
    • 2 Naga was presented with the ‘Colours’ on 10 May 1990 by Gen Vishwa Nath Sharma, the Chief of the Army Staff.
  14. Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry.
    • On 9 October 1998, the President K. R. Narayan presented the'colours'to the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry.
    • On 4 November 2006, The COAS General J. J. Singh presented the President's 'colours' to the 17th battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) Regiment.[22]
  15. Sikh Light Infantry.
    • The President of India, Dr Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, presented the "Colours" to the 2 Sikh LI on 14 December, 1981.[23]
  16. Maratha Light Infantry.
    The Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat presenting the president's colour, at Belgaum, Karnataka.
    • In 1968, the new 'colours' were presented to the regiment by the then President Zakir Hussain.
      • In 1968, 9th Maratha LI was awarded with the President's Colours by the President Zakir Hussain and was received by Gen JJ Singh (later COAS).
    • 23 Maratha Light Infantry and 24 Maratha Light Infantry were presented the President's Colours at the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre on 4 November 2017 by the COAS, General Bipin Rawat on behalf of the President Ramnath Kovind.[24]
  17. The Brigade of the Guards.
    • 4 Guards Mechanised (1 Rajput) was awarded with the President's Colours on its establishment on 1950.
    • First Guards (2 Punjab) was presented with the Colors by the then President, Dr S. Radhakrishnan at Red Fort, New Delhi on September 26, 1962. Also, 1 GUARDS (2 PUNJAB) has the distinction of being the first and only battalion to receive Colours from the President in front of the Red Fort.
    • The Centre and the 2nd to 14th battalions received Colours from the President at Kota on 16 Mar 1973 at a huge, colourful ceremony, one of the largest ever.
    • 15 to 19 GUARDS were presented with colours by successive COAS at Kamptee.
  18. The Grenadiers.
    COAS Dalbir Singh presenting the'colours'to the 24 Grenadiers.
    • On 19 December 1964, The then President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan presented new Regimental Colours to all battalions of the Grenadiers Regiment of the Indian Army at a ceremonial parade at the Regimental Centre at Nasirabad.
    • On 10 December 2015, The COAS, General Dalbir Singh awarded the 'colours' to the 23 Grenadiers and the 24 Grenadiers, at Jabalpur.[25]
  19. Parachute Regiment (SF).
    Indian Parachute Regiment Insignia and PARA (SF) Battalion Insignia.
    Stamp of India - 1986 - Colnect 167166 - 1 Para Commando Parachute Regiment.
    On 6 October 1967, the then President Zakir Hussain presented the new 'colours' to the Parachute Regiment, at Gwalior, MP.
  • Mechanised Regiment(s)
  1. Mechanised Infantry Regiment
    Stamp of India - 1988 - Colnect 165238 - The Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
    • The President Colours were awarded to the Regiment on 24 February 1988 at Mechanised Infantry Regimental Centre (MIRe), Ahmednagar, in a unique parade where 14 Colours were laid down and 24 Colours presented.
      • 2 Mech Inf (1 JAT LI) was awarded with colours on 22nd Feb 1988 at Ahmednagar from the then President Dr R Venkatraman. 
    • Mech Inf was presented Colours on 04 Dec 1996 at Jodhpur by General Shankar Roy Chowdhary, PVSM, ADC, the then Chief of the Army Staff.
  1. President's Bodyguard
    Stamp of India - 1998 - Colnect 161887 - 225th anniv of the President s Bodyguard cavalry regiment.

List of the other Regiments of Indian Army Armoured Corps awarded with the President's Colours/Standards/Guidons.
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 7th Light Cavalry 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, the then 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 3rd Cavalry Regiment (India) 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) 01 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 Chief of Army Staff, General N C Vij 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 Awarded with the 'Standard'.
(11) 62 Cavalry 31 March 2006, at Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand Chief of the Army Staff General J. J. Singh 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[27]
The President and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil presenting the colours to the 83, 12, 13, 15 and 19 Armoured Regiments, at Babina, in Uttar Pradesh on October 19, 2010.
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 [28]
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
The Chief of Army Staff, General Bikram Singh presenting ‘Standard’ to 89th Armoured Regiment, on November 30, 2013.
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
The Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh presented the President’s ‘Standards’ to 44 Armoured Regiment, at Suratgarh Military Station, in Rajasthan on February 25, 2015.
(10) 18 Cavalry 7 March 2016
The Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh presenting the President’s ‘Standard’ to 18 Cavalry, in Amritsar on March 07, 2016.
41 43 Armoured Regiment 16 March 2016, at Jaisalmer Military Station
The Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh presenting the President’s ‘Standard’ to 43 Armored Regiment, at Jaisalmer Military Station, in Rajasthan on March 16, 2016.
42 75 Armoured Regiment 16 March 2016, at Jaisalmer Military Station
The Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh presenting the President’s ‘Standard’ to 75 Armoured Regiment, at Jaisalmer Military Station, in Rajasthan on March 16, 2016.
43 47th Armoured Regiment (India) 21 October 2017, at Sunjuwan Military Station, Jammu COAS General Bipin Rawat Awarded with the 'Standard'.
44 10th Armoured Regiment (India) 5 December 2017, at Suratgarh Military Station, Rajasthan
The Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat presenting the Standard Presentation to the 10, 41 and 87 Armoured Regiments at Suratgarh Military Station, Rajasthan on 5 December 2017
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
  1. Army Medical Corps.
    • On 3 April 1966, Army Medical Corps were presented with the 'Colours' by the President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.
  2. Indian Army Corps of Signals.
    The Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh presenting the “President’s Colours” to the Indian Army Corps of Signals, at Jabalpur on February 15, 2016.
    • On 15 February 2016, the President's Colour was awarded by the General Dalbir Singh, Chief of Army Staff, on behalf of the President to the Indian Army Corps of Signals, at Gauri Shankar Parade Ground, Jabalpur.[29]
  3. Corps of Army Air Defence.
  4. Army Aviation Corps.
  5. The Indian Army Corps of EME (Electronics and Mechanical Engineers)
    • The President of India, Dr S. Radhakrishnan, presented the 'Colours' to the Corps on 15 October 1964 at 1 EME Centre during the 21st Anniversary celebrations.
    • The Second Colours Presentation was presented at 3 EME Centre Bhopal on 15 October 1980. The Colours presented on behalf of the President by the General Om Prakash Malhotra, COAS. 
    • The Third Colours presentation was presented on 23 November 2004. The old colours were put to rest and new colours were presented to the Corps at 1 EME Centre, Secunderabad by the General N C Vij, COAS on behalf of the President.
    • The 4th Colours Presentation was presented at 3 EME Centre Bhopal. The Corps was honoured with colours on 18 February 2005, by the COAS, General J. J. Singh, on behalf of the President of India.
  6. Army Ordnance Corps.
    Flag of Indian Army Ordnance Corps.
    • Army Ordnance Corps was awarded with the 'Colours' by the Vice President of India Shri Gopal Swarup Pathak on 8 December 1970, at AOC Centre Secunderabad.
  7. Army Service Corps
    • The new 'Colours' were presented by the President of India, Dr Zakir Husain to the Corps on 8 December 1967 on the 207th Corps Anniversary, at ASC Centre (South), Bangalore.
    • The Second Regimental Colours were presented on the occasion of the Third Reunion by General Om Prakash Malhotra, COAS on 8 December 1979.
  8. Indian Army Pioneer Corps.
    • The Pioneer Corps is the operational logistics arm of the Indian Army. The Chief of Army Staff General J. J. Singh presented the 'colours' to the Pioneer Corps Regiment at Bangalore, on 24 November 2006.
  9. Indian Army Corps of Engineers.
    Insignia of The Indian Army Corps of Engineers.
    1. Bengal Engineer Group / Bengal Sappers.
      • On January 12, 1989, the 'President's Colour' was presented to the Bengal Engineer Group by the President R Venkataraman, at Roorkee.
    2. Bombay Engineer Group / Bombay Sappers.
      • On 21 February 1990, the Bombay Engineer Group was presented the "Colours" by his Excellency, the President of India Shri R Venkataraman.
    3. Madras Engineer Group / Madras Sappers.
      • On 20 March 1990, the Madras Engineer Group was presented the "Colours" by his Excellency, the President of India Shri R Venkataraman.
  10. Indian Army Remount and Veterinary Corps.
    • The corps was awarded the Colours by the President of India on December 21, 1989 in recognition of its glorious contributions to Indian Army.
  11. Army Education Corps (India).
    • On 24 February 1971, the then President V. V. Giri presented the colours to the Army Educational Corps, at Pachmarhi.
  • Training Establishments of the Indian Army
  1. Indian Military Academy.
    IMA Postage Stamp.
    • On 10 December 1962, on the 30th anniversary of the Academy's inauguration, the second President of India, Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, presented new colours to the Indian Military Academy.
    • On 15 Dec 1976, the fifth President of India, Shri Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, presented new colours to IMA as a mark of appreciation of its services to the nation both in peace and war.
  2. Officers Training Academy.
    Officers Training Academy 2013 Postage Stamp of India.
    On August, 1990 OTA was awarded at Chennai by the President Shri R. Venkataraman.[15]
  3. Armoured Corps Centre and School.
The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Standard to Armoured Corps Centre and School, Ahmednagar on April 15, 2017.
The Hon’ble 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.

Indian Air Force
Main article: Indian Air Force
List of President's Colour awarded to the Air Force Stations of the IAF.
Sr No. Air Force Stations Date and Place Awarded by Info
1 Hakimpet Air Force Station 4 March 2019 President Ramnath Kovind
  • Aircraft Squadrons 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
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
The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil presenting the Standard to 108 Squadron, during the Presidential Standard Ceremony, at Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh on March 25, 2009.
31 No. 47 Squadron 10 Nov 2009
32 No. 49 Squadron 09 Mar 2010 President Smt Pratibha Patil
The President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil conferred the Presidents Standard Indian Air Force-49 Squadron, at Jodhpur on March 09, 2010.
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
The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Standard to the No. 32 Squadron of Indian Air Force, at Halwara, Punjab on November 20, 2013.
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[33]
44 No. 30 Squadron 10 November 2016 President Pranab Mukherjee Info[34]
45 No. 223 Squadron 16 November 2017 President Ramnath Kovind
The President and Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the Standard to 223 Squadron of Indian Air Force, at Adampur, in Punjab.
46 No. 51 Squadron 22 March 2018, at AFS Halwara President Ramnath Kovind
The President and Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, Shri Ram Nath Kovind awarding the President’s Standard to 51 Squadron of the Indian Air Force, at Air Force Station Halwara, in Punjab.
  • Helicopter Units of the IAF
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
The President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil conferred the Presidents Standard Indian Air Force-107 Helicopter Unit, at Jodhpur on March 09, 2010.
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
The President Pranab Mukherjee presenting the prestigious President’s Standard to the No. 125 Helicopter Squadron, at Air Force Station Tambaram, Tamil Nadu
13 No. 117 Helicopter Unit 16 November 2017 President Ramnath Kovind
The President and Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the Standard to 117 Helicopter Unit of Indian Air Force, at Adampur, in Punjab.
Info[35]
14 No. 118 Helicopter Unit 29 November 2018, at AFS Guwahati President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind
  • Signal Units of IAF.
    The President Ramnath Kovind presenting the President's Colour to the No. 230 Signal Unit of the IAF.
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 Air Force Station Halwara President Ramnath Kovind Info[36]
2 No. 501 Signals Unit 10 November 2016 at Barnala President Pranab Mukherjee
  • Base Repair Depot (BRD) of the IAF.
    The President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting the President's Colours to the No. 1 Base Repair Depot.
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 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
4 No. 4 BRD 11 Mar 2014
5 No. 5 BRD 4 March 2019 at AFS Hakimpet President Ramnath Kovind Info[37]
  • Equipment Depot (ED).
    The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented the Colours to the No. 28 Equipment Depot, at Air Force Station, Jamnagar, in Gujarat.
List of President's Colour awarded to the Equipment Depots of the IAF
Sr No. Equipment Depot Date and Place Awarded by Info
1 28 Equipment Depot 6 March 2016, at AFS Jamnagar President Pranab Mukherjee Info[38]
  • Institutions 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[39]
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
The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil presenting the Colours to Air Force Technical College (AFTC) at a ceremony, organized at AFTC, Jalahalli, in Bangalore on November 12, 2008.
9 Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) 10 Nov 2009 President Smt Pratibha Patil
The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil presenting the award of standard to TACDE AF on the occasion of Standard presentation ceremony to IAF, at Gwalior on November 10, 2009.
10 Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME) 15 Mar 2013
11 Mechanical Training Institute (MTI) 4 March 2017, at AFS Tambaram President Pranab Mukherjee
The President Pranab Mukherjee presenting the 'Colours' to the Mechanical Training Institute (MTI).
12 Air Defence College 29 November 2018, at AFS Guwahati President Shri Ramnath Kovind

Indian Navy
Main article: Indian Navy
President's Colour of the Indian Navy.
A Postcard depicting Presentation of Naval Colours by the President.
  • Indian Navy

The Indian Navy was the first Armed Force which was rewarded with the President's Colours on 27 May 1951, by the President Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

  1. Naval Commands and Fleets
    1. Southern Naval Command was awarded on 26 November 1984 by the President Giani Zail Singh.
    2. Eastern Naval Command was awarded on 25 March 1987 by the President Giani Zail Singh.
    3. Western Naval Command was awarded on 22 February 1990 by the President Ramaswamy Venkataraman.
    4. Western Fleet was awarded on 9 March 1997 by the President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma.
    5. Eastern Fleet
  2. Submarine Arm.
    The President Ramnath Kovind awards the President’s Colour to the Submarine Arm of the Indian Navy.
    On 8 December 2017, the Submarine Arm of the Indian Navy was awarded by the President Ramnath Kovind.[40]
  3. Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala.
    The President, Shri Ramnath Kovind presenting the 'President’s Colour' to the Indian Naval Academy, at Ezhimala, Kerala on November 20, 2019.
    Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala was awarded on 20 November 2019 by the President Ramnath Kovind.[41]
  4. Indian Naval Stations
    1. INS Shivaji.
      The President, Shri Ramnath Kovind presenting the President’s Colour to the INS Shivaji, in Lonavala, Maharashtra on February 13, 2020.
      INS Shivaji, Lonavala was awarded on 13 February 2020 by the President Ramnath Kovind.[42]

References
  1. "President's Colour awarded to Indian Naval Academy - Awarding the President's Colour". The Economic Times.
  2. "PRESIDENT'S COLOUR AWARDED TO INDIAN NAVAL ACADEMY :INA". www.ina.gov.in. India: Indian Naval Academy. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  3. "Indian Naval Academy awarded President's Colour". The Hindu. India: The Hindu. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  4. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/military-digest-three-army-commanders-from-kapurthala-sainik-school-6356048/
  5. "Mumbai Police stumbles upon its flag, 66 years after it was presented to force by then CM". January 31, 2020.
  6. Correspondent, Special (August 19, 2009). "President's Colours for Tamil Nadu police" – via www.thehindu.com.
  7. "President's Colour for Tripura Police". outlookindia.com/.
  8. https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/gujarat-police-became-7th-state-police-to-get-presidents-colours | Adda247
  9. Service, Tribune News. "President's Colours for state police". Tribuneindia News Service.
  10. "Kalam presents colours to J&K police". Rediff.
  11. "President presents colours to Railway Protection Force". oneindia.com. May 22, 2006.
  12. http://www.ssb.nic.in/index1.aspx?lsid=38&lev=2&lid=10&langid=1&Cid=0
  13. Bureau, B. C. A. (September 9, 2016). "Presidential Colours Awarded to Defence College".
  14. https://www.indiancoastguard.gov.in/content/1572_3_PresidentColours.aspx
  15. "The Official Home Page of the Indian Army". www.indianarmy.nic.in.
  16. "Presidents colours for two battalions of Madras Regiment". Business Standard.
  17. "Jharkhand: Army Chief presents 'President's Colours' to two Punjab regiment units". ANI News.
  18. "Army Chief presents colours to 3 battalions of Bihar regiment". November 19, 2016 – via www.thehindu.com.
  19. Sharma, Gautam (July 14, 1990). Valour and Sacrifice: Famous Regiments of the Indian Army. Allied Publishers. ISBN 9788170231400 – via Google Books.
  20. "Ram Nath Kovind confers President's Colours award on Ladakh Scouts - Photos News , Firstpost". Firstpost. August 21, 2017.
  21. Network, Sirf News (November 4, 2016). "President's Colours to 20, 21 Mahar Battalions".
  22. "JJ presents President's 'Colours' to 17 JAKLI". oneindia.com. November 4, 2006.
  23. http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2007/mar01-07/h18.htm
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  25. "Army chief presents President's Colours to 2 new infantry battalions | Lucknow News - Times of India". The Times of India.
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  27. Desk, StratPost News (October 1, 2010). "President to give colors to armored regts".
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  30. Staff Reporter (September 29, 2019). "President's Colours for Army's Air Defence wing" – via www.thehindu.com.
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  33. "President Standards | Indian Air Force | Government of India". indianairforce.nic.in.
  34. "Pranab Mukherjee to award President's Colours to 30 Squadron". www.deccanchronicle.com.
  35. https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/iafs-223-squadron-117-helicopter-unit-to-get-presidents-standards/929291/lites
  36. "Award of President's standard to 51 squadron and President's colours to 230 signal unit at Air Force station Halwara". www.aviation-defence-universe.com.
  37. "AFS Hakimpet, 5 Indian Air Force BRD get President's Colours honour | India News | Zee News". zeenews.india.com.
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  40. "Year of the Submarine Arm - 2017 | Indian Navy". www.indiannavy.nic.in.
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  42. "Mt Jogin I/III 6465 M 6116 M Expedition 2016". www.spsnavalforces.com.
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