Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led a parliamentary committee meeting dedicated to the Territorial Army, reviewing its mandate, roles, and achievements. The discussion emphasized the force's critical function in creating surge capacity for national defence through a reserve of trained citizen-soldiers.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led a parliamentary committee meeting dedicated to the Territorial Army, reviewing its mandate, roles, and achievements. The discussion emphasized the force's critical function in creating surge capacity for national defence through a reserve of trained citizen-soldiers.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led a parliamentary committee meeting dedicated to the Territorial Army, reviewing its mandate, roles, and achievements. The discussion emphasized the force's critical function in creating surge capacity for national defence through a reserve of trained citizen-soldiers.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday chaired a meeting of a parliamentary committee, with discussions focusing on the Territorial Army. He chaired the meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi.

During the meet, senior officials presented a detailed briefing on the Territorial Army's mandate, role, and key achievements to the committee members, who offered suggestions to further strengthen the force and enhance its overall effectiveness, it said.

Rajnath Singh said the Territorial Army creates surge capacity for the defence forces by building a reserve of trained soldiers who can be deployed immediately whenever the need arises.

As per the Defence Ministry, the Territorial Army stands as a trained, motivated, and potent force, comprising nearly 44,400 personnel and 59 diverse units.

Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff Gen N S Raja Subramani, Army Chief Gen Dhiraj Seth, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Finance) Vishvajit Sahay, and other senior officers attended the meeting, the ministry said in a statement.

In his address, Singh described the Territorial Army's contribution as "significant" in advancing the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's vision of Viksit Bharat.

He emphasised that while the role of the defence forces revolves primarily around security-related aspects, the Territorial Army contributes to other areas such as environmental conservation and social work as well.

"The Territorial Army is a living embodiment of the 'citizen-soldier' concept. While its members engage in civilian pursuits, they simultaneously don the uniform to safeguard the borders and maintain internal security," Singh was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Singh termed the force as "first responders", who provide immediate relief and support during natural calamities. He acknowledged their role in carrying out relief and rescue work, and providing medical aid to those in need during the Kerala floods, Odisha cyclone, and the recent floods in Assam.

Commending their contribution to environmental management and climate change mitigation, he said the ecological task forces of the Territorial Army have planted approximately 10 crore saplings to date, with the survival rate ranging between 80 and 85 per cent.

Singh also appreciated the efforts of the Territorial Army deployed in Jammu and Kashmir for taking the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign to greater heights.

The Territorial Army, raised on October 9, 1949, completed 75 years in 2024 and has served the nation in times of war and in humanitarian and environmental protection work through its journey over the decades. It is fully integrated with the regular Army.

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