The navy has unveiled the new design of senior officers’ epaulettes, a shoulder piece that signals rank, inspired by the seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

• The new epaulettes, to be worn by the navy chief, vice admirals and rear admirals from January 1, have five modifications over the previous ones.
• The development comes weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that senior naval officers will wear epaulettes that bear the imprint of the Maratha ruler’s maritime legacy.
• He revealed the proposed change in his Navy Day address at Sindhudurg in Maharashtra on December 4.