The IAF adopted the RAF uniforms, badges, brevets and insignia when it was formed in 1932 and has followed the same pattern till date. There were subtle changes, for when India went republic, the Royal Crown Insignia was replaced with the Ashoka Symbol of Saranath. The Khaki Uniform underwent a transformation into sky blue shirt/navy trousers combination in 1990. General rank Officers are wearing collar tabs with stars in the style of Army red collar tabs.
The crest of the IAF too underwent minor changes. Most significant besides replacing the Crown with the Ashoka Symbol was the inclusion in Devanagari Script the words “Bharatiya Vayu Sena” and the motto “Nabha Sparsham Deeptham”.