New Delhi. 09 October 2024. Territorial Army was raised in 1948 on the concept of ‘Citizen Soldier’s Army’. Besides augmenting the organizational requirements, it also provides an opportunity to able bodied volunteer citizens of India, especially those who are over age for enrolment in Regular Army, to serve the Nation in Uniform.

In apt recognition of its Nation building efforts and contribution during war/conflicts, numerous individuals have been honoured with Gallantry as well as Distinguished Service Awards. Territorial Army is fully integrated with the Regular Army and has distinguished itself by remaining notably committed towards making sterling contribution towards Nation building.

Operational commitments of TA are varied and in alignment with Nation Building.

In addition to the security related duties, the units are actively involved in perception management towards winning hearts and minds of local populace. Certain units are also deployed in conjunction with Border Roads & Min of Railways for protection of under construction road/rail alignments in remote and sensitive areas.

Besides their operational role/ tasks, these units are also playing an important role of integrating the local populace by enrolling them on ‘Sons of Soil’ concept and contributing towards National Integration efforts.

The first Ecological Task Force (ETF) was raised in 1982, to address the severely degraded hills of Mussoorie (Uttarakhand) due to intensive and incessant lime stone quarrying and deforestation. Today the Territorial Army has Ecological Battalions (TA) deployed along the length and breadth of the country.

Aligning to National efforts in achieving ecological restoration and conservation goals, TA is making substantial contribution aimed at achieving National Carbon Sink targets and restoration/ protection of biodiversity. Various Ecological Task Forces of TA deployed across the Nation have jointly planted approx 9.35 Cr saplings in approx 93,443 Hectares of land across the country. The units have constructed 26 Sarovars and rejuvenated 02 existing wetlands, apart from creating 700 water bodies/ rain water harvesting projects.

In 2023-24 ETFs have planted 33 Lakh trees saplings towards greening of the Nation. A specialized TA Ecological Battalion, namely Ganga Task Force, is deployed along banks of River Ganges and has been working towards conservation and rejuvenation of River Ganga in conjunction with the Ministry of Jal Shakti as part of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). An additional company for rejuvenation of River Gomti has also been sanctioned and the modern technological advances, the ETF units have also under taken various initiatives. Some of these are :-

  • Smart micro-irrigation system based on smart sensors, automated controllers.
  • Drones for seed ball broadcast in-accessible areas and Geo tagging.
  • Vertical Hydroponics for nutrition of troops.
  •  Solar powered ground water extraction pump.
  • Use of recycled plastic tile.
Indian Army has the unique distinction of being the only army which has undertaken the Eco restoration task through its ETF units. To mark the Platinum Jubilee year, 128 ETF Battalion, located at Jaisalmer has achieved the following World Records in a special plantation drive held on 22 September 2024 :-
  • Most trees saplings planted by a team in one hour.
  • Most tree saplings planted by a team of women in one hour.
  • Most people planting tree saplings simultaneously on a single venue.

The record has been verified by World Book of Records, London. Apart from this all the TA units have jointly planted approx 7,44,000 Lakh saplings across the country to mark the platinum Jubilee year of TA which is excluding the annual target of 2024-25 i.e 39 Lakh approx and significantly higher than the target achieved last year.

Under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative the ETF units of Territorial Army carried out a special plantation drive on 17 Sep 2024, in which these units collectively planted 1,00,000 Saplings, involving people from all spheres of life.

Opportunities are available to Citizens to join TA. The Territorial Army is a Citizens Army that gives an opportunity to all gainfully employed citizens of age between 18 to 42 years of age of donning military uniform and serving the nation while still continuing in their primary profession.

Territorial Army had commenced Commissioning of Women Officers in TA since 2019. Thus far these Women Officers were serving with TA Oil sector units and TA Railway Engineer Regiment. Based on the experience gained during this period, a considered proposal was prepared to extend the employment scope further.

This progressive policy measure is aimed at enhancing the scope of employment of ‘NARI SHAKTI’ as also meet their professional aspirations since they will now serve and train under the same conditions as their male counterparts in a wider range of units and appointments including serving in challenging field conditions and in important staff.

In continuance of our National efforts towards Women Empowerment the inclusion of Women in Other Ranks in TA Units being planned. Towards that a proposal to constitute Women Platoon in Home & Hearth is under progress with competent authorities in IHQ of MoD. Once approved, the recruitment of Women will be started shortly.

Territorial Army Innovation Cell (TAIC) and lab has been established and operating under the TA Directorate to harness this expertise of domain specialised personnel of the org. The TAIC serves as a platform dedicated to niche technology development, enhancement, and absorption into the Indian Army and has already developed and successfully fielded various high impact solutions to address critical needs of the field formations. It is a force multiplier in field of innovation for India Army, contributing towards nation building.

The year 2024 is the Platinum Jubilee year of TA as it will complete 75 years of raising on 09 Oct 2024. To commemorate this occasion, Territorial Army conducted the first ever expedition from ‘Siachen Glacier to Indira Point’. The expedition was conducted in two legs i.e Mainland Leg & Island Leg traversing a distance of approximately 5,500 kms through land, air and sea.

The Expedition comprising of 21 Territorial Army personnel was flagged-off under the aegis of prestigious Siachen Brigade of Indian Army. The expedition cycled through the entire length of the Nation till Chennai from where the team moved to Andaman & Nicobar Islands. After traversing southwards through the Nicobar Islands, the expedition terminated at Indira Point where the Tricolour was hoisted underwater at the southernmost tip of India. Besides Cycling, the expedition team also underwent Sailing & Scuba Diving activities as part of the expedition. Public awareness activities addressing the issues of National Integration, Environment consciousness, know your Army etc were also undertaken along the route. Territorial Army has a wide presence throughout the length & breadth of the country & fostering a Civil-Military connect was the primary aim of the expedition.

The Citizens’ Army has proved to be an asset towards Nation building. Keeping pace with changing times, the TA units are also evolving and undertaking various steps to transform to remain current and responsive to the emerging environment.