Territorial Army key to defence and 'Viksit Bharat', says Rajnath Singh

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the Territorial Army has emerged as an important force not only for augmenting the military during emergencies but also for disaster relief, environmental conservation, and other nation-building activities. He was chairing a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi.

Describing the Territorial Army as a key contributor to the government's 'Viksit Bharat' vision, Mr. Singh said the force embodied the concept of the 'citizen-soldier'. Volunteers pursue civilian careers while remaining available for military service whenever required, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence.

The Territorial Army provides surge capacity to the armed forces by maintaining a pool of trained personnel who can be mobilised at short notice during crises, the Minister said. The force currently has about 44,400 personnel organised into 59 units, including infantry battalions and specialist ecological task forces. It was raised in 1949 and is an integral part of the Indian Army, often described as the 'second line of defence'.

Highlighting its role beyond conventional military duties, Mr. Singh said the Territorial Army played a significant part in relief and rescue operations during the Kerala floods, the Odisha cyclone, and the recent floods in Assam. He also drew attention to the work of its Ecological Task Forces, which have planted nearly 10 crore saplings with a reported survival rate of 80 to 85 per cent. This initiative supports the government's environmental goals, he noted.

The Minister further commended the force's role in taking the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign to remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir, and noted that after completing their tenure, Territorial Army personnel continue to serve as a bridge between the military and civil society. He encouraged young people to join the armed forces.

Senior Defence Ministry officials briefed the committee on the Territorial Army's mandate, operational role, and achievements. Members offered suggestions to strengthen the force and improve its effectiveness, the statement said. The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Finance) Vishvajit Sahay, and other senior officials.