Executive Summary
On August 6, 2026, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence to review the mandate and achievements of the Territorial Army (TA). The meeting focused on the force's dual role in national security and social-environmental sectors, highlighting its effectiveness as a reserve force. Key objectives included gathering committee suggestions to further strengthen the TA’s operational effectiveness.
Key Points / Main Content
Core Concept and Mandate
Citizen-Soldier Concept: The TA allows members to pursue civilian careers while simultaneously serving in uniform to safeguard borders and maintain internal security.
Surge Capacity: The force creates a reserve of approximately 44,400 trained personnel across 59 units, available for immediate deployment during emergencies.
Societal Bridge: Personnel returning to civilian life after their tenure act as a link between the military and society, motivating the youth to join the defense forces.
Disaster Relief and Security
First Responders: The TA is recognized as a potent force for providing immediate relief during natural calamities.
Operational Successes: The document cites critical relief and rescue operations conducted during the Kerala floods, Odisha Cyclone, and recent floods in Assam.
Security Roles: Beyond disaster management, the force is actively involved in safeguarding borders and maintaining internal security.
Environmental and Social Contributions
Ecological Task Forces (ETF): These units have planted approximately 10 crore saplings to date, maintaining a survival rate of 80-85%.
Alignment with National Goals: TA initiatives support the ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision, ‘Mission LiFE’, and ‘Panchamrit’ environmental goals.
Civic Engagement: The force was commended for promoting the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
Impact Analysis
Territorial Army PersonnelImpact: Recognized for their "significant" contribution to national development and security; validated as a vital "surge capacity" for the regular defense forces.
Action Required: Continue to balance civilian pursuits with military duties and maintain readiness for immediate deployment.
Parliamentary Consultative CommitteeImpact: Provided with a detailed briefing on the TA’s achievements and current mandates to inform legislative oversight.
Action Required: Offer valuable suggestions to further strengthen the force and enhance its overall effectiveness.
Indian YouthImpact: Targeted as a demographic to be inspired by the TA's "Citizen-Soldier" model.
Action Required: Look to TA personnel returning to civilian life as role models for joining the defense forces.
Ministry of Defence Senior LeadershipImpact: Chaired by the Raksha Mantri and attended by the CDS and Service Chiefs, the meeting aligns departmental leadership on the TA's future role.
Action Required: Implement suggestions provided by the committee to enhance the force's effectiveness.
Key Entities Referenced
Territorial Army: A reserve force and 'Citizen-Soldier' organization that provides surge capacity for defence forces, safeguards borders, and handles environmental conservation and disaster relief.
Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence: The committee responsible for reviewing and offering strategic suggestions to strengthen the mandate, role, and effectiveness of the Territorial Army.
Shri Rajnath Singh: The Raksha Mantri (Minister of Defence) who chaired the meeting and defined the role of the Territorial Army in national security and environmental management.
Mission LiFE: An environmental initiative focused on sustainable living, with goals implemented on the ground by the Territorial Army’s Ecological Task Forces.
Panchamrit: India's climate action commitments which the Territorial Army supports through large-scale afforestation and environmental management projects.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri chairs meeting of Parliamentary
Consultative Committee for MoD on Territorial
Army
प्रव तथ: 06 AUG 2026 12:36PM by PIB Delhi
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the
Ministry of Defence in New Delhi on August 6, 2026, with discussions focusing on the ‘Territorial Army’.
During the meeting, senior officials presented a detailed briefing on the Territorial Army’s mandate, role
and key achievements to the committee members, who offered valuable suggestions to further strengthen
the force & enhance its overall effectiveness.
In his address, Raksha Mantri described the Territorial Army’s contribution as “significant” in advancing
Prime Minister Shri 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 in 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,” he
said.
Shri Rajnath Singh asserted that 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. He
added that when the personnel complete their tenure and return to civilian life, they act as a vibrant bridge
between society and the military, inspiring the people, especially the youth, to join the defence forces.
The Territorial Army stands as a trained, motivated, and potent force, comprising approximately 44,400
personnel and 59 diverse units. Raksha Mantri termed the force as the first responders, who provide
immediate relief and support during natural calamities. He acknowledged their role in carrying out relief
& rescue work, and providing medical aid to those in need during Kerala floods, Odisha Cyclone & the
recent floods in Assam.Commending their contribution in environmental management and climate change mitigation, Shri
Rajnath Singh stated that the Ecological Task Forces of the Territorial Army have planted approximately
10 crore saplings till date, with the survival rate between 80-85 percent. This green initiative is translating
the Prime Minister’s ‘Mission LiFE’ and ‘Panchamrit’ goals into reality on the ground, he said. He also
appreciated the efforts of the Territorial Army, deployed in J&K, for taking the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’
campaign to greater heights.
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani, Chief of the
Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence
Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Finance) Shri Vishvajit Sahay and other senior
officers attended the meeting.
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