Punjab Newsline, Shimla/Chandigarh-
The Army Training Command (ARTRAC) Investiture Ceremony 2026 was held at Danfe Auditorium, Shimla on 24 March 2026. Lt Gen Devendra Sharma, PVSM, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ARTRAC presided over the function, during which establishments and individuals were recognised for their outstanding contributions during Training Year 2025-26.
The prestigious GOC-in-C Army Training Command Unit Citation was conferred upon four Category ‘A’ Training Establishments - Army Air Defence College, Armoured Corps Centre & School, Mechanised Infantry Centre & School and Rashtriya Indian Military College and two Affiliated Units: 269 Engineer Regiment and 665 Army Aviation Squadron (R&O). Financial Excellence Awards were conferred upon Combat Army Aviation Training School, Junior Leader Academy and College of Military Engineering. The Digitisation & Automation Excellence Award was presented to Military College of Telecommunication Engineering and Mechanised Infantry Centre & School. Eleven Technical Excellence Awards were presented to selected innovators for their innovations fielded at the Pan Indian Army Level Competition. GOC-in-C Spot Commendation Cards were also awarded to 16 individuals for distinguished service.
Addressing the gathering, the Army Commander emphasised that ARTRAC’s awardees are central; not peripheral to ARTRAC’s achievements. He highlighted ARTRAC’s 57 initiatives across the Five Pillars of the Decade of Transformation and drawing on lessons from recent conflicts including Operation SINDOOR, he further emphasised that Drones are now a battlefield necessity and with ARTRAC’s Drone Training Infrastructure, more than Fifty Thousand personnel are already trained in Drone Operations. Army Commander highlighted that 15 Establishments are evolving as Centres of Expertise to absorb 33 Niche Technologies by 2030.
He also spoke on ‘Vidur Vakta’ (Red Teaming) initiative being institutionalised pan-Army by 2027, the COAS Quadrennial Training Directive 2025-2029 and the transition of promotion and competitive Examinations to online mode. The Army Commander highlighted ARTRAC’s commitment to Gender Neutrality as well as initiatives undertaken towards military diplomacy.
While congratulating the awardees, the Army Commander appreciated their Intellectual Contribution, Dedication and Commitment. He urged all members of ARTRAC to continuously learn, adapt and embrace emerging technologies - in the spirit of ARTRAC’s motto ‘Yudh Kala Vah Sainya Vigyan Mein Utkrisht’; and reaffirmed the ARTRAC’s commitment to Viksit Bharat 2047 through Jointness, Atmanirbharta and Innovation (JAI)