Rajnath Chairs Parliamentary Panel Meeting; Territorial Army’s Role, Modernisation Discussed

NEW DELHI, Aug 6: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence, where members reviewed the role of the Territorial Army and offered suggestions to further strengthen the force and enhance its operational effectiveness. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Army Chief Gen Dhiraj Seth, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Finance) Vishvajit Sahay and other senior officials, the Defence Ministry said. Senior officers briefed the committee on the Territorial Army’s mandate, achievements and evolving role in supporting the armed forces, following which members shared recommendations to improve its capabilities. Addressing the meeting, Rajnath Singh described the Territorial Army as a vital force that creates surge capacity for the armed forces by maintaining a reserve of trained personnel who can be mobilised whenever required. Calling it the embodiment of the “citizen-soldier” concept, Singh said Territorial Army personnel contribute to national security while continuing with their civilian professions, and later serve as a bridge between society and the military by inspiring the youth to join the armed forces. He said the force has made a significant contribution towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s vision of Viksit Bharat, not only through defence preparedness but also in environmental conservation and humanitarian assistance. The Defence Minister highlighted the Territorial Army’s role as first responders during natural disasters, including relief and rescue operations in the Kerala floods, Odisha cyclone and the recent floods in Assam. He also praised the Ecological Task Forces of the Territorial Army for planting nearly 10 crore saplings with an estimated survival rate of 80-85 per cent, describing the initiative as a major contribution towards the Prime Minister’s Mission LiFE and Panchamrit goals. Singh further appreciated the force’s contribution to the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the ministry, the Territorial Army currently comprises nearly 44,400 personnel across 59 units. Raised on October 9, 1949, the force completed 75 years in 2024 and continues to play a key role in national security, disaster response and environmental protection while remaining fully integrated with the Indian Army.