KNOW YOUR TERRITORIAL ARMY
Popularly Known as the Citizens’ Army, Territorial Army is an organization of gainfully employed Indian citizens who are not professional soldiers but amateurs who have a passion and love for the country and who are eager to contribute their spare time for obtaining military training so that, in the event of a national emergency, they can play their part to meet the internal security needs and contribute their might in the defence of their motherland.
The Territorial Army is an integral part of the Indian Army as defined in paragraph one, chapter one and part one of the Defence Service Regulations which states
“The army comprises, Regular Army, Regular Reserves, and the Territorial Army..”
The Regular Army as per chapter one, paragraph 3 (217xxi) of the Army Act 1950, “Regular Army means officers, junior commissioned officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and other enrolled persons who, by their commission, warrant, terms of enrollment or otherwise, are liable to warrant, terms of enrollment or otherwise, are liable to Union in any part of the world, including persons belonging to the Reserve Forces and the Territorial Army when called out on permanent service.”
The Indian Territorial Army carries out operational tasks, internal security duties and aid to civil authorities in support of the Regular Army and has been playing a commendable role. The TA units have also been embodied for the Operation Parakaram and deployed with various defence units including protection of essential service and oil and natural installations in Gujarat.
Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes underlined the need for expansion of the Territorial Army (TA) in view of its increasing role in assistance to civil administration and maintenance of essential services. He was addressing the meeting of the Consultative Committee attached to his ministry in New Delhi.
The present role of Territorial Army is :
- To relieve the Regular Army from static duties, assist civil administration in dealing with natural calamities and maintenance of essential services in situations where life of the communities is affected or security of the country is threatened and to provide support to national efforts.
- To provide units for Regular Army, as and when, required.
Following are the types of TA units :
- Infantry Battalions including Home & Hearth.
- Ecological Task Forces.
- Railway Engineer Units.
- Oil Sector Units.
- General Hospitals.
All Terriers are recruited, trained and organized like those of the professionals to form a pool of reserves at a very minimum cost. This pool can be mobilized during any form of national emergency to augment the strength of regular forces. Although, the Terriers serve for a very limited duration to train themselves as soldiers, most of them attain good professional standards over a period of training and service.
Mandatory TA Training
- One month basic training in the first year of commission – This training is conducted in the Battalion
- Two months annual training camp every year including the first year.
- Three months Basic Military Training (BMT) at TA Training Schools, Deolali.
- Three months Post Commissioning Training (PCT) within first two years at IMA Dehradun.
Serving Conditions
- As per TA Regulations, a new joinee is a commissioned Officer of a rank of Lieutenant right from the day he reports to his Battalion.
- Pay and Allowances and privileges will be same as regular Army Officers when embodied for training and military service.
- Promotions up to Lt Col is time -scale subject to fulfilling laid down criteria. Promotion to Colonel and Brigadier by selection.
- Embodiement – Officers commissioned in TA Infantry may be called out for military service for longer duration depending on requirement.
- Army Canteen Facility – is available even during Disembodiement.
- Medical benefits – to family and parents during embodiement.
- Pension – One is eligible for pension after 20 years of physical service.
Selection process for both Civil Candidates and Ex-Service Candidates are given below:
FOR CIVIL CANDIDATES
Eligibility Conditions
- Only male citizens of India and Ex-service officers who are medically fit*.
- Age – 18 to 42 years
- Qualification – Graduate from any recognized university.
- Employment – Gainfully Employed in Central Govt/Semi Govt /Pvt Firm/ Own business/Self Employed**.
* Note : Serving Employees of Police/Paramilitary Forces are not eligible.
Application for TA Commission
- Candidates whose applications forms are found correct will be called for screening, by a Preliminary Interview Board (PIB), at their respective TA Group Headquarters.
- Candidates selected by PIB should provide brief BIO-DATA to include details about their employment with monthly income from all sources at the time of documentation immediately after PIB.
- Successful candidates will further undergo a Service Selection Board (SSB) and Medical Board for final selection.
* NOTE : Candidate who passed written test of PIB are required to bring the following attested documents at the time of interview:
- Certified copy of educational qualification certificates, all certificates and mark sheets beyond matric.
- Latest physical fitness certificate from a registered MBBS Doctor.
- Service certificate by candidates employed in Central Govt / Union Territory / State Govt / Semi Govt / Private Sector Authenticated by Head Office.
- Self Employed candidates or having own Business are required to submit an Affidavit on Non-Judicial stamp paper value of Rs. 10/- duly attested by the Deputy Commissioner of the District / Gazetted Officer / Commissioned Officer stating nature of self-employment and income earned annually with the attested photocopy of the latest Income Tax Return filed by the applicant along with photocopy of the PAN Card.
* Incomplete application will be rejected without intimation
Selection Process
The selection process of TA commission has basically three steps:
- Written Examination
- Prelimenary Interview Board (PIB)
- Service Selection Board (SSB)
