Can a Person with a Tattoo Join the Indian Army?

As per the “Tattoo Policy for Candidates Appearing for SSB Interview with Permanent Body Tattoos” which came into effect from May 11, 2015, a candidate is allowed to have a tattoo provided he/she fulfills certain terms and conditions. Body tattoos for all individuals are restricted to the inner side of the arm and the back of the palm only.

However, Candidates belonging to Tribal Communities are allowed to have permanent tattoos on any part of their body. Tribal Candidates having Tattoo on the body has to submit the three certificates for verification.

• Self Certification Certificate.
• Certificate of belonging to a tribal community
• Remarks of the Commandant, Selection Centre on permanent body tattoo(s)

As mentioned in the official notification, “Candidates belonging to tribal communities/tribal areas declared by the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Order Act/Lists of Government of India are allowed to have permanent tattoo on any part of the body in accordance with the existing customs and traditions of the tribe to which the candidate belongs”

Are Tattoos Allowed in Indian Air Force?

According to the Indian Air Force notification, candidates with permanent body tattoos on specific body parts are eligible to join the Indian Armed Forces. However, such candidates must sign a Self Certification Certificate as part of the process. So the allowed body parts are –

• Inner face of forearms i.e. from inside of the elbow to the wrist of both the hands (area between 1-2 and 3 in picture affixed) Note:-Area between 4, 5, 6 is not permitted.
• Reverse side of the palm/back (dorsal) side of both hands (area between 2 and 3 in picture affixed).
• A Person who wants to become a Pilot in the Indian Air Force or want to join at any other posts is only allowed to have tattoo only if its on the Forearm and back of hand. The Tattoo denoting the religion or any close person name is Permissable. The Tattoos inscribed on any other part of body will not be accepted.

The Tri- Services of Indian Armed Forces The Indian Army, The Indian Air Force and The Indian navy follows the same Tattoo Criteria for Everyone. The same rules are applicable for both Men and Women who want to serve in the Indian Armed Forces.

Tattoos that are Permitted in Indian Armed Forces. 

• Though no restriction on size or type of tattoo has been specified, tattoos are only permitted on body parts as given above.
• Only small innocuous/ Harmless tattoos, that are not prejudicial to good order and military discipline are permitted e.g. religious symbols or names of near and dear ones etc.

Tattoos that are Not Permitted in Indian Armed Forces.

Regardless of location of a tattoo on the body (permitted/not permitted), the following will fall under the category of ‘Non Permissible Tattoos’:-

• Tattoos on any other part of the body.
• A tattoo with lewd or offensive content or indecent figures.
• Tattoos that are indecent, sexist or racist, explained as follows:-
  (i) Indecent tattoos are those that are grossly offensive to modesty, decency or propriety.
  (ii) Sexist tattoos are those that advocate a philosophy that demeans a person based on gender.
  (iii) Racist tattoos advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on race, ethnicity or region and religion.