President’s Colours

Make PDF

Key updates-

• During the award ceremony it was highlighted that the Tamil Nadu Police is among the few police forces in the country to receive the coveted ‘President’s Colours’. 
• Though the ‘President’s Colours’ for the Tamil Nadu Police was approved as early as August 19, 2009 when late leader M. Karunanidhi was the Chief Minister, it could not be presented in all these years.
• The Vice president of India stated that Tamil Nadu had the first women commando unit in the country.
• It was under the Chief Ministership of late leader M Karunanidhi that women police personnel were inducted into the force in 1973, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country.

About  President’s Colour Award-

• • It is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon any military unit of India.
  • It is also known as ′Nishaan′ which is an emblem that is worn by all unit officers on the left-hand sleeve of their uniform.
  • 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. 
  • The Indian Navy was the first Indian Armed Force to be awarded the President Colour by Dr Rajendra Prasad on 27 May 1951. 

• Uttar Pradesh Police was the first to receive the award(in 1952) among the States and UTs Police Forces.

• 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. 
• To this day, the President’s Colours is very significant, if the unit loses their colours, 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.

Make PDF