If you’ve ever seen a military function or even the recent Republic Day parade on the telly, then you would know that the one common feature is a salute. The salute is the highest form of respect that the Armed Forces can display.

A salute is a gesture of respect and trust among soldiers which encourages a pride in their ever-shining uniforms while at the same time elevates them in their own eyes by reminding them all of that is implied by the profession and its traditions of chivalry and courtesy.

While most of you haven’t noticed but there is a slight difference in the salute of Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy, which has evolved over time and become a tradition.

You will surprised to know the meaning behind the salutes of our tri-services, read on to find that out:

First of all, salute is a gesture of respect or polite recognition, especially one made to or by a person when arriving or departing.

1. Indian Army – Open palm facing the person in front

In Indian Army, a salute is executed by an open palm with fingers stuck closely to the thumb and the middle finger touching the eyebrow to reinstate trust between the two or more armies, and also to signify that they are not carrying weapons and trust can be placed on them.

2. Indian Air Force – Open palm at a 45 degree angle to the ground

The Indian Air force personnel salutes with their palm at 45 degrees to the ground showing headway towards the skies. The new salute was executed in March 2006. Earlier the Indian Airforce Salute was just like the Army one.

3. Indian Navy – Open palm facing the ground

In Indian Navy, the salute is conducted with the palm facing ground at 90-degree angle to the forehead. In old days, when sailors used to work on ships , their hands used to get greasy, so they started saluting with their palms facing down as a mark of respect to their seniors.

May be NCC cadres might know about it, but I just got to know about this. Well this is definitely something to add to our patriotic trivia!

I never knew any of this. Did you? Let us know in the comments section below!