Territorial Army embodies the ‘citizen-soldier’, says Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the Territorial Army for its role as a 'citizen-soldier' force, highlighting its contributions to disaster relief and environmental conservation. The force currently maintains 59 units to support the armed forces during national emergencies.
Why it matters
The Territorial Army serves as a critical reserve force that bridges the gap between civilian life and military readiness in India.
The Territorial Army has emerged as an important force not only for augmenting the military during emergencies but also for disaster relief, environmental conservation, and other nation-building activities, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday (August 6, 2026), describing the Territorial Army as a key contributor to the government’s ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision.
Chairing a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Singh said the Territorial Army embodied the “citizen-soldier”, with volunteers pursuing civilian careers while remaining available for military service whenever required, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
Senior Defence Ministry officials briefed the committee on the Territorial Army’s mandate, operational role, and achievements, while members offered suggestions to strengthen the force and improve its effectiveness, the statement said.
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