Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Leads Parliamentary Committee Meeting on Territorial Army's Role in National Development
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh presided over a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi on August 6, 2026. The discussions primarily focused on the Territorial Army and its expanding role in bolstering India's defense readiness and nation-building initiatives.
During the session, senior officials from the Ministry of Defence delivered an in-depth presentation covering the Territorial Army's mandate, organizational framework, operational duties, and notable accomplishments. Members of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee also contributed valuable suggestions aimed at enhancing the force's capabilities and overall effectiveness.
In his address to the committee, Rajnath Singh highlighted the significant contributions of the Territorial Army in advancing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat. He pointed out that, while the regular Armed Forces mainly focus on national defense and security, the Territorial Army plays a crucial role in several other areas, including environmental conservation, disaster response, and social service.
The Defence Minister emphasized that the Territorial Army embodies the true essence of the "Citizen-Soldier" concept. He remarked that its members maintain their civilian careers while being trained and ready to don the uniform whenever the nation requires their service, be it for border security or maintaining internal order.
Rajnath Singh underlined the strategic importance of the Territorial Army, noting that it offers vital surge capacity to the Armed Forces by having a pool of trained personnel ready for rapid deployment in emergencies. He added that after completing their tenure, Territorial Army personnel continue to contribute to the nation by acting as a critical link between society and the military, inspiring citizens, especially the youth, to join the Armed Forces.
The Defence Minister highlighted that the Territorial Army currently consists of approximately 44,400 personnel organized into 59 diverse units, forming a trained, motivated, and highly capable reserve force that supports the country's defense and internal security needs.
Rajnath Singh acknowledged the Territorial Army's remarkable contribution to disaster management, describing its personnel as some of the nation's first responders during natural disasters. He noted their involvement in relief and rescue operations, humanitarian assistance, and medical support during major calamities such as the Kerala floods, Odisha cyclone, and the recent floods in Assam.
The Defence Minister praised the force's efforts in environmental protection, highlighting the work of the Territorial Army's Ecological Task Forces, which have planted nearly 10 crore saplings nationwide with a survival rate of 80 to 85 percent. He stated that these initiatives significantly contribute to the objectives of Mission LiFE and the Panchamrit commitments by promoting ecological restoration and sustainable environmental practices.
Rajnath Singh also commended the Territorial Army's efforts in Jammu and Kashmir, specifically its role in expanding the reach of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and enhancing public participation in national initiatives.
The meeting saw the attendance of Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. 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 from the Ministry of Defence.
The discussions underscored the Government's commitment to further strengthening the Territorial Army as an indispensable component of India's defense framework, recognizing its unique contributions not only to national security but also to disaster response, environmental conservation, community engagement, and nation-building.
