Following India's independence, India, Nepal and Great Britain signed a Tripartite Agreement, and of the total of 10 regiments, six {1 GR, 3 GR, 4 GR, 5 GR(FF), 8 GR and 9 GR} regiments of the Gurkha Rifles joined the Indian Army.
Following the divisions of the Gorkha regiments, the British Army decided that joining of the British Army would be entirely voluntary for the Gorkha soldiers and decided to hold a referendum.