NEW DELHI — Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh on Thursday chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi, where discussions focused on the role, mandate and future strengthening of the Territorial Army. During the meeting, senior officials presented a detailed briefing on the force's responsibilities, operational role and key achievements, while committee members offered suggestions aimed at further enhancing its effectiveness.
Addressing the meeting, Rajnath Singh described the Territorial Army's contribution as "significant" in supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government's vision of 'Viksit Bharat'. He said that while the regular armed forces are primarily responsible for national defence and security, the Territorial Army also makes important contributions in areas such as environmental conservation, disaster response and social service.
The Defence Minister said the Territorial Army is a living embodiment of the "Citizen-Soldier" concept. Under this concept, volunteers continue their civilian professions during normal times but undergo military training and wear the uniform whenever they are called upon for national service. They can be mobilised to support the regular armed forces in protecting the country's borders, maintaining internal security and assisting civil authorities during emergencies and natural disasters.
He noted that the Citizen-Soldier model enables the country to maintain a trained reserve force without keeping all personnel on full-time active military duty. According to Rajnath Singh, Territorial Army personnel not only strengthen national security when deployed but also serve as a link between the armed forces and society after returning to civilian life, encouraging young people to consider careers in the defence services.
The Defence Minister said the Territorial Army creates additional operational capacity for the armed forces by maintaining a reserve of trained personnel who can be deployed whenever required. He added that after completing their tenure, these personnel continue contributing to society while promoting awareness about the armed forces within their communities.
The Territorial Army currently comprises approximately 44,400 personnel organised into 59 diverse units, making it an important reserve component of India's defence structure. Its personnel are trained to undertake a wide range of duties whenever the need arises.
Highlighting the force's role in disaster management, Rajnath Singh described the Territorial Army as one of the country's first responders during natural calamities. He acknowledged its contribution in relief and rescue operations as well as medical assistance during the Kerala floods, Odisha cyclone, and the recent floods in Assam, where its personnel supported civil authorities and assisted affected communities.
The Defence Minister also praised the Territorial Army's contribution to environmental conservation through its Ecological Task Forces. He said these specialised units have planted approximately 10 crore saplings across the country, with a reported survival rate of 80–85 percent. According to him, the initiative supports the Prime Minister's Mission LiFE and Panchamrit goals by promoting environmental protection and climate change mitigation through on-ground action.
Rajnath Singh further appreciated the efforts of Territorial Army units deployed in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly for supporting and expanding the reach of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.
The meeting was attended by Raksha Rajya Mantri 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, along with other senior officials from the Ministry of Defence.
Territorial Army and India's Security
The Territorial Army is a voluntary reserve force that supports the regular Indian Army whenever additional manpower is required. Its personnel continue their civilian occupations during peacetime and undergo military training before being called for active service when needed. This allows the armed forces to quickly increase their operational strength during national emergencies, security requirements, disaster response operations and other assigned duties.
According to the Defence Minister, the force plays an important role in supporting border security, maintaining internal security, assisting civil administration during emergencies, participating in disaster relief operations and contributing to environmental conservation through its specialised Ecological Task Forces.
Citizen-Soldier Concept
The Citizen-Soldier concept is based on trained volunteers who balance civilian careers with military responsibilities. Rather than serving as full-time soldiers throughout the year, members remain part of the civilian workforce but can be mobilised after training whenever the nation requires their service.
This model provides countries with a trained reserve force that can reinforce regular military units during emergencies while allowing members to continue contributing to the economy and society in their civilian professions.
Territorial Army Concept in Other Democracies
The Citizen-Soldier model is used by several democratic countries as part of their defence systems. Nations such as the United States through the National Guard and Reserve components, the United Kingdom through the Army Reserve, Australia through the Army Reserve, Canada through the Primary Reserve, France through its operational reserve system, and several other democracies maintain reserve military forces that supplement their regular armed forces when required.
These reserve organisations are designed to provide additional trained manpower for national defence, homeland security, disaster response and support to civil authorities while allowing members to pursue civilian careers during normal times. India's Territorial Army follows the same broad Citizen-Soldier principle while carrying out responsibilities assigned under the country's defence framework.
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