ARTRAC Marks 35th Raising Day with ‘Run for Excellence,’ Band Performances, and Tech-Driven Vision for Future Warfare

On its 35th Raising Day, the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) in Shimla is marking the occasion with a series of events showcasing unity, discipline, and the evolving role of technology in the Indian Army.

The celebrations opened at the historic Ridge with a stirring performance by the Indian Army Symphony Band, which played everything from inspiring military marches to popular Bollywood numbers.

On September 28, ARTRAC’s General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Lt. Gen. Devendra Sharma, flagged off the Run for Excellence. The three-kilometer uphill route from the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies to the Ridge saw spirited participation by soldiers, families, and children, all reflecting pride, camaraderie, and togetherness. Lt. Gen. Sharma praised the participants and underlined the importance of health and fitness in the digital age, reiterating ARTRAC’s commitment to the Fit India movement. The run concluded with an energetic and refreshing Zumba session.

Established in 1991 at Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, under its first Commander Lt. Gen. A.S. Kalkat, ARTRAC was shifted to Shimla in March 1993. Today, it is one of the Indian Army’s seven commands, overseeing institutional training through 34 establishments across the country. It is responsible for shaping military doctrines, introducing innovations and technologies into training curricula, and ensuring leadership development at all levels.

As the central coordinating body for all Army training activities, ARTRAC also studies global conflicts to draw lessons relevant to India’s defense preparedness. Recognizing that technology will define future conflicts, 15 premier training institutions under ARTRAC are being developed as Centers of Excellence for 33 specialized technologies. A roadmap has been laid out to integrate these technologies by 2030, with an investment of ₹390 crore over the next five years in R&D, infrastructure, and training.

Under the Army’s Decade of Transformation and Year of Technology Absorption, ARTRAC has initiated 57 projects covering jointness and integration, force restructuring, modernization, systems and processes, and human resource management—reaffirming its central role in preparing the Army for future challenges.

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