India's lipstick-free army

By Ayanjit Sen BBC correspondent in Delhi

Soldiers in the Indian army are adjusting to a recently-ordered image overhaul.

In uniform - but some are not uniform enough, say army chiefs

A new dress code has been brought in by army chiefs who want a sterner, more secular appearance for its soldiers.

The image makeover will see make-up, jewellery and obvious marks of faith banned from the barracks.

Female officers are a particular target - no woman in uniform must be seen wearing nail-polish, lipstick or any other cosmetics.

The nose-studs and ear-rings favoured by many Indian women are expressly forbidden.

As for the traditional strip of crimson pigment married Hindu women often smear in the parting of their hair - that may be worn, but only if it remains hidden under the army-issue beret.

These regulations will help the army counter propaganda by Kashmiri militant groups that it is essentially a Hindu army Rahul Bedi, defence analyst

An army spokesman told the BBC the new regulations had been introduced to cope with the changing profile of the Indian army.

"There were not many women officers when the earlier instructions regarding dress regulations were issued, more than 40 years ago," said army spokesman Colonel Anil Shorey.

Critics point out that there are still only about 100 women officers in an army of more than one million personnel.

Former army officers agree wit the new rules.

"I think this is a good step. This order will help invoke more discipline among the female officers," said a retired army major.

Sikh exception

Male officers and soldiers are also being banned from displaying religious symbols while in uniform.

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The tilak - a colourful stripe worn on the forehead as a mark of blessing by Hindu men - has been outlawed.

Numerous sacred threads along the wrist and the neck - commonly worn by Brahmins - are also ruled out.

Visible jewellery among men must be restricted to a single ring on the hand.

The army authorities have, however, made an exception for Sikh soldiers, long renowned as some of the Indian army's fiercest fighters.

Their faith demands they wear the turban and the kara - a heavy steel bracelet - and the new regulations allow them to continue doing so.

Female duty

The changes in dress code have been welcomed by the experts.

"These regulations will help the army counter propaganda by Kashmiri militant groups that it is essentially a Hindu army," defence analyst Rahul Bedi said.

A women's activist in Delhi lent her support to the new regulations, saying it was a female soldier's duty to dress as her profession dictated.

"One is expected to follow the rules and that does not constitute violation of any rights," Ranjana Kumari told the BBC.