Navy unveils new epaulettes for Admirals: What are the changes, what do they signify?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the new design will be introduced for the service during his Navy Day address at Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, on 4 December.

As we usher in the new year #2024, #IndianNavy proudly unveils the new Design of Admirals’ Epaulettes. Announced by @PMOIndia during #NavyDay2023 at Sindhudurg – the 🛑 in the new Design, drawn from the Naval Ensign & inspired from Rajmudra of #ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj, is a… pic.twitter.com/Ssxq8ZLOZd

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) December 29, 2023

What are the new epaulletes for?

The new epaulettes are for the ranks of Admiral, Vice Admiral, Rear Admiral, Surgeon Vice Admiral and Surgeon Rear Admiral.

Barring the medical officers, there would be around 100 officers of rank Rear Admiral and onwards, in the Navy. The Navy has a sanctioned strength of around 12,000 officers, of which there is currently a shortage of around 1,777 officers as per official data.

How are the new epaulettes different from the earlier ones?

The new epaulettes have the new golden Navy button carrying the new naval crest which was unveiled last year, a red octagon as the backing to the national emblem, and a sword and a telescope. The ones for the medical officers have a red border as well.

The earlier epaulettes for the same ranks did have a red backing for the national emblem, but not an octagonal one. Moreover, the button at the top of the epaulette reflected the old crest of the Navy which had a fouled anchor—a colonial era vestige.

The old epaulettes carried a baton and a sword, but new ones carry an Indian sword and a telescope. The stars on the new epaulettes are also designed differently than the older ones.

What do the new epaulettes signify?

The new Navy button reflects the new crest, sans the fouled anchor which was a colonial era vestige. As per the Navy, the red octagon reflects the eight cardinal directions indicative of an all-round long-term vision. It is inspired by the new naval ensign that was unveiled last year and inspired from the Rajmudra of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who had built the massive Maratha Navy which has a rich maritime legacy.

The Navy said that the Indian sword represents being the cutting edge of national power and winning wars through dominance, defeating adversaries and overcoming every challenge, while the telescope symbolises a long-term vision, foresight, and a weather-eye in the changing world.

Why the change?

The change is in line with the Indian Armed Forces’ increasing efforts in the last two years to discard their colonial-era vestiges, customs and traditions.

The Navy is learnt to be soon allowing Indian attires in their officers’ mess and wardrooms. The Navy has also reviewed the British-inherited ranks held by sailors and is set to Indianise them soon.

Last year, the Christian hymn Abide With Me was dropped from the Beating Retreat ceremony and was replaced by Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon.

There are also efforts in the Indian military to include more indigenous texts in military training with a focus on Indian war heroes, leaders and thinkers as well as restraining the use of foreign names for military exercises and call signs.