In a solemn and inspiring ceremony held at the iconic Manekshaw Centre, the Indian Army commemorated the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2025 (Phase-1), honoring gallantry awardees just a day after the national Gallantry Awards presentation at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
General Upendra Dwivedi, the 30th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), along with Mrs. Sunita Dwivedi, President of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), led the proceedings, personally engaging with the award recipients and their families. The event shone a spotlight on the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers, and Other Ranks, whose bravery has served to protect and inspire the nation.
“These gallant individuals are not only defenders of the nation but also symbols of the indomitable spirit that defines the Indian Army,” remarked General Dwivedi, who took on the role of COAS on June 30, 2024.
Rooted deeply in military tradition and honor, the ceremony served as a pivotal platform for acknowledging exceptional acts of gallantry and dedication displayed in the line of duty. The COAS emphasized that the heroic stories of the awardees would not only motivate future generations but also reinforce the Army’s core values of selfless service and national pride. The presence of senior officers, regimental representatives, and families of the awardees added a significant dimension of reflection and national gratitude to the occasion.
This year’s Investiture Ceremony was further significant as it aligned with broader institutional initiatives, particularly the Indian Army’s “Decade of Transformation” (2023–2032) and the “Year of Tech Absorption,” which coincides with the Ministry of Defence’s “Year of Reforms” in 2025. Under General Dwivedi’s leadership, the Army has intensified its focus on technological modernization, indigenous innovation, and strategic self-reliance, aligning with the Government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. These themes were evident in the ceremony’s tone, which celebrated not just the valor of the past and present but also the future-ready ethos of the Indian military.
The choice of the Manekshaw Centre as the venue, named after Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw—the legendary architect of India’s victory in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War—added weight to the occasion. The centre stands as a living tribute to the ideals of leadership, legacy, and sacrifice that the awardees exemplified.
This ceremony follows other significant recognitions in 2025, including the Western Command Investiture Ceremony held on January 10, during which 23 personnel received decorations for gallantry and distinguished service. Collectively, these ceremonies reinforce the Indian Army’s reputation for operational excellence, resilience, and modernization.
The Defence Investiture Ceremony 2025 thus stood as more than a celebration of gallantry; it reaffirmed the Indian Army’s evolving role as a cornerstone of national strength, innovation, and inspiration.
