• January 14, 2026, marks the observance of the 10th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day .

• What? Armed Forces Veterans’ Day 2026
• When? January 14, 2026
• Edition: 10th
• First Observed: Pan-India event since 2016–17 under MoD
• Significance: Commemorates the retirement of Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa.
• 2026 Event: Held at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, Delhi

Background:
First Celebration: The day was initially observed as a pan-India event in 2016–2017 under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and has been celebrated annually across the country since then.
Date Significance: January 14 was chosen to mark the retirement of Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa, the first Indian Commander‑in‑Chief of the Army, on 14 January 1953.
2026 Event:
Dignitaries: Union Minister Rajnath Singh, MoD attended the 10th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day on 14th January 2026 at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, Delhi

• President Droupadi Murmu (Supreme Commander or Commander-in-Chief, C-in-C), Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi were also present at the event.

Nationwide Commemoration: 34 Rajya Sainik Boards in States and Union Territories (UTs) and 434 Zila Sainik Boards across India organized rallies, outreach programs, and support activities for veterans and their families.
Veteran Assistance: System for Pension Administration and Records for Soldiers-Half (SPARSH) pension help desks, Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) healthcare counters, and dedicated desks of the IA, IN, and IAF are setup to support veterans and their families.
About Ministry of Defence (MoD):
Union Minister- Rajnath Singh (Constituency- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
Minister of State (MoS)– Sanjay Seth(Constituency- Ranchi, Jharkhand)