Rajnath Singh Reviews Territorial Army’s Role
Defence Minister highlights Territorial Army’s security, disaster relief and environmental contributions at parliamentary panel meeting
- Rajnath Singh chaired the Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting on the Territorial Army.
- Territorial Army comprises around 44,400 personnel across 59 diverse units.
- Its Ecological Task Forces have planted nearly 10 crore saplings with an 80–85% survival rate.
- Singh highlighted the force’s role in security, disaster response and creating military surge capacity.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 6th Aug: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence, with discussions focusing on the role, mandate and achievements of the Territorial Army.
During the meeting in New Delhi, senior officials gave committee members a detailed briefing on the force and its key achievements. Members also offered suggestions aimed at strengthening the Territorial Army and enhancing its overall effectiveness.
Addressing the meeting, Singh described the Territorial Army’s contribution as significant in advancing the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s vision of Viksit Bharat, noting that its responsibilities extend beyond security to areas such as environmental conservation and social work.
Calling the Territorial Army a “living embodiment” of the Citizen-Soldier concept, Singh said its personnel pursue civilian professions while also donning the uniform when required to safeguard the country’s borders and contribute to internal security.
The Defence Minister said the Territorial Army also creates crucial surge capacity for the armed forces by maintaining a reserve of trained personnel who can be deployed whenever required. After completing their tenure and returning to civilian life, these personnel serve as a bridge between society and the military and inspire young people to join the defence forces, he added.
The Territorial Army currently comprises approximately 44,400 personnel and 59 diverse units. Singh highlighted its role as a first responder during natural disasters, citing relief and rescue operations during the Kerala floods, Odisha cyclone and recent floods in Assam.
He also praised the Territorial Army’s contribution to environmental conservation and climate-change mitigation. Its Ecological Task Forces have planted nearly 10 crore saplings, with a reported survival rate of 80–85 per cent.
Singh said the initiative was helping translate the government’s Mission LiFE and Panchamrit goals into action on the ground. He also appreciated Territorial Army personnel deployed in Jammu and Kashmir for their contribution to the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.
Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff General NS 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 attended the meeting.
