About Vijay Diwas
Vijay Diwas, or Victory Day, marks 16 December 1971, when Pakistan's Eastern Command surrendered to Indian and Bangladeshi forces in Dhaka, ending the 13-day India-Pakistan war and the Bangladesh Liberation War. India observes it with tributes to the soldiers who died, led by the President and the Prime Minister. In 2026 it falls on Wednesday, 16 December 2026.
Vijay Diwas is shared by two countries. In India it is a day to remember the soldiers of the 1971 war. In Bangladesh, where it is called Bijoy Dibosh and is a national holiday, it is the day the country's nine-month war of liberation ended. The picture most people know from it is of two generals at a small table in Dhaka, one of them signing a surrender.
What does Vijay Diwas commemorate?
Vijay Diwas commemorates the surrender of Pakistan's forces in East Pakistan to India and Bangladesh on 16 December 1971, which ended the India-Pakistan war of that year and led to the independence of Bangladesh. The Instrument of Surrender was signed at the Ramna Race Course in Dhaka, now Suhrawardy Udyan, by Lieutenant General A. A. K. Niazi of Pakistan and Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, head of the Indian Army's Eastern Command and joint commander of the Indian and Bangladeshi forces. A. K. Khandker, deputy chief of staff of the Bangladesh forces, represented the country's provisional government.
About 93,000 Pakistani personnel became prisoners of war, one of the largest surrenders since the Second World War. Estimates put between 34,000 and 45,000 of them as soldiers, with the rest civilian personnel and support staff.
What happened in the 1971 war?
The 1971 war grew out of the crisis in East Pakistan. After Pakistan's army began a crackdown in March 1971, about ten million refugees crossed into India, and Indian support for the Bengali resistance, the Mukti Bahini, deepened through the year. Full-scale war began on 3 December 1971, when Pakistan's air force struck Indian airfields in the west.
- 3 DecemberWar begins
Pakistani air strikes on Indian airbases bring India formally into the war on both fronts.
- 3 DecemberBattle of Gangasagar
Lance Naik Albert Ekka dies clearing Pakistani positions on the eastern front near Agartala.
- 4 to 5 DecemberOperation Trident
The Indian Navy's missile boats attack Karachi harbour, sinking a destroyer and a minesweeper. 4 December is now Navy Day.
- 4 to 7 DecemberLongewala
A small Indian post in the Rajasthan desert holds off a much larger Pakistani force.
- 11 DecemberTangail airdrop
Indian paratroopers secure a crossing on the way to Dhaka.
- 16 DecemberSurrender in Dhaka
Pakistan's Eastern Command surrenders.
- 17 DecemberCeasefire in the west
Fighting on the western front ends.
Indian losses were heavy. Official and scholarly figures put Indian dead at between about 2,500 and 3,843, with roughly 10,000 to 12,000 wounded. In 1972 the Simla Agreement between India and Pakistan dealt with the return of territory and, over the following years, of the prisoners of war.
Who won the Param Vir Chakra in the 1971 war?
Four servicemen won the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest award for gallantry in war, for the 1971 war. Three of them were killed in the actions for which they were honoured.
| Name | Service and unit | Where | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lance Naik Albert Ekka | Army, Brigade of the Guards | Gangasagar, eastern front | Posthumously |
| Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon | Air Force, No. 18 Squadron | Defending Srinagar airfield, 14 December | Posthumously |
| Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal | Army, Poona Horse | Battle of Basantar, Shakargarh sector, 16 December | Posthumously |
| Major Hoshiar Singh | Army, The Grenadiers | Battle of Basantar, Shakargarh sector | Survived the war |
How is Vijay Diwas observed in India and Bangladesh?
In India, Vijay Diwas is observed with wreath-laying ceremonies and tributes rather than celebrations. The President and Prime Minister pay tribute to the soldiers who fought and died. In earlier years the Defence Minister laid a wreath on this day at Amar Jawan Jyoti under India Gate, the memorial built after this very war and inaugurated by Indira Gandhi on 26 January 1972. In January 2022 its flame was merged with the eternal flame at the National War Memorial nearby, which has since become the main site for such tributes in Delhi.
In Bangladesh, Bijoy Dibosh is a national holiday with a parade at the National Parade Ground in Dhaka, flag hoisting and cultural programmes. India and Bangladesh send delegations to each other to exchange greetings on the day. The 50th anniversary in 2021 was marked in both countries.
What should you write on Vijay Diwas?
Write a Vijay Diwas message as a thank-you and a remembrance. The right words are quieter than a festival greeting: "we remember", "thank you", "salute", rather than "happy". If you know a veteran or a family that lost someone, write to them directly.
On Vijay Diwas, thank you, sir. What you and your comrades did in those thirteen days is something our family will never forget.
Remembering your father today, on Vijay Diwas. His courage is part of this country's story, and so is the sacrifice your family made.
On Vijay Diwas, thinking of everyone who wears the uniform today and those who wore it in 1971. Thank you for your service.
Bijoy Dibosh-er shubhechha. Remembering today everyone who fought and suffered for your country's freedom in 1971.
On Vijay Diwas we remember the soldiers of 1971, and the families who waited for them, some in vain. We will not forget.
Do
- Name the people you are remembering, a battle, a regiment or a relative, where you can.
- Thank veterans and their families directly.
- Remember the Bangladeshi civilians and fighters who suffered in 1971.
Avoid
- Don't write "Happy Vijay Diwas" to a family that lost someone in the war.
- Don't taunt Pakistan or Pakistanis; the day honours soldiers, it doesn't need an enemy.
- Don't share unverified war "facts" or doctored photographs.
Other days for the forces: Indian Army Day on 15 January, Indian Navy Day on 4 December, Armed Forces Flag Day on 7 December and Kargil Vijay Diwas on 26 July.
How to wish someone on Vijay Diwas
Vijay Diwas messages are about gratitude and remembrance, not triumph. Thank the soldiers, sailors and airmen who fought in 1971, remember the several thousand who did not come home, and acknowledge their families. Name a person or a battle where you can. Avoid taunting Pakistan or its people, and don't mix the day up with Kargil Vijay Diwas in July.
Write a few lines in your own words, pick a design and share it as one link on WhatsApp, Instagram or anywhere else. They open an animated card made just for them, with no app and no sign-up.
Language tip: English, Hindi + recipient language.
When is Vijay Diwas in 2026 and 2027?
Vijay Diwas is on 16 Dec every year. Only the weekday changes.
- 2026
- 2027
Frequently asked questions
When is Vijay Diwas in 2026?
Vijay Diwas 2026 falls on Wednesday, 16 December 2026.
Why is Vijay Diwas celebrated on 16 December?
Vijay Diwas falls on 16 December because on that day in 1971 Pakistan's Eastern Command surrendered in Dhaka to Indian and Bangladeshi forces. The surrender ended the India-Pakistan war of 1971 and led to the creation of Bangladesh.
Who signed the Instrument of Surrender in 1971?
Lieutenant General A. A. K. Niazi signed for Pakistan and Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, head of the Indian Army's Eastern Command, accepted the surrender on 16 December 1971 in Dhaka. A. K. Khandker represented Bangladesh.
How many soldiers surrendered in 1971?
About 93,000 Pakistani personnel surrendered in Dhaka on 16 December 1971, making them prisoners of war. Between roughly 34,000 and 45,000 of them were soldiers; the rest were civilian personnel and support staff.
What is the difference between Vijay Diwas and Kargil Vijay Diwas?
Vijay Diwas on 16 December marks India's victory in the 1971 war and the birth of Bangladesh. Kargil Vijay Diwas on 26 July marks the end of the 1999 Kargil conflict in Ladakh, then part of Jammu and Kashmir.
Is Vijay Diwas a public holiday in India?
No. Vijay Diwas is an observance in India, not a gazetted holiday, though the armed forces hold ceremonies across the country. In Bangladesh, the same day, Bijoy Dibosh, is a national holiday.
Last verified by the Kehdoo team on .