The Territorial Army recently garnered attention following an official notification from the Ministry of Defence, issued under Rule 33 of the Territorial Army Rule 1948, which empowered the Chief of Army Staff to activate 14 of the 32 Territorial Army infantry battalions. The retroactive notification will commence in February 2025 and will stay effective for three years, expiring on 9 February 2028. It authorizes the Chief of Army Staff to summon all officers and enlisted Territorial Army members as necessary for guard tasks or full mobilization to augment regular forces.

What is the Territorial Army?

The Indian Territorial Army (TA) is a part-time volunteer military force that assists and supplements the regular Indian Army. Terriers, also known as "Secondary Line of Defense," are civilians who receive military training to serve in uniform while maintaining their primary or civil occupation. Such service combines patriotism and practical duty.

Eligibility Conditions for the Territorial Army

The eligibility requirements for TA are as follows:

• Age Limit: The Territorial Army's age range is 18 to 42 years old as of the last day of application.
• Educational requirements: A candidate for TA must be a graduate of any recognized university. No specialized educational background is necessary.
• Nationality: Candidates for Territorial Army Eligibility must be Indian. No other nationalities will be accepted.
• Physical Standards: A candidate must meet the medical and physical requirements specified by the Territorial Army. For fitness qualification, candidates must provide physical and medical certificates to the authorities for further processing.
• Employment Criteria: This criterion is specific to all defence admission tests. To join the Territorial Army, an applicant must be gainfully employed.

Documents needed to prove Territorial Army Eligibility

• All educational qualifying certificates from the 10th grade.
• Latest physical fitness certificate from an MBBS doctor.
• Identity evidence with photograph (Voter ID, PAN Card, Aadhar Card, Passport, Driver's License, etc.)
• Proof of domicile or residency.
• Age proof certificate (Matric/Senior Secondary mark sheet and document verifying date of birth).
• Candidates employed in the Central Government/Union Territory/State/Semi-Government/Private Sector will receive a service certificate authenticated by the Head of the Office, along with government paperwork.
• Self-employed candidates must produce proven documentation showing the nature of their employment, as well as annual income certifications.
• Ex-Service Officers with different names on their documents should produce a copy of the India Gazette notification as well as a copy of the release order.
• A copy of the release medical board proceedings.
• The most recent income evidence from the appropriate authority (i.e., Income Tax Revenue Department, Magistrate, Employer).
• Copy of PAN card.
• Copy of Aadhar card.
• A copy of all course certificates and reports.

Role

• The TA's responsibilities include "relieving the Regular Army from static duties" as well as assisting civil authorities in the event of natural disasters and catastrophes.
• They also assist civil administration in providing critical services in regions where state machinery is overburdened or there are security concerns. 
• Volunteers from the TA typically serve in uniform for a few days each year so that they can bear guns for national defense in times of grave need or national emergency.

Territorial Army History

The history of the Indian Territorial Army spans centuries. During British control in India, the administration first recognized the necessity for a military-grade trained voluntary citizen force.

The Genesis

The Territorial Army originated during the Revolt of 1857, when Britishers organized a volunteer force. Later, British Commander in Chief of the Forces Sir Charles Monroe proposed a measure before the Indian Legislative Council in August 1920 to establish an Indian Territorial Force, which was properly passed. The formation of the Indian Defence Force (IDF), and later the Indian Auxiliary Force (IAF), paved the way for citizen-soldier initiatives.

Post Independence

The Territorial Army was established to allow employed citizens to serve in the defense forces on a part-time basis, supplying additional manpower to the regular army while without burdening the country's economy. The Territorial Army Act was passed in 1948, and the first Indian Governor General, Shri C. Rajagopalachari, formally launched it on October 9, 1949. Since then, October 9 has been designated as Territorial Army Day in honor of the 'Citizens Army,' with the inaugural Territorial Army Week taking place from November 8 to 15, 1952.

Evolution Through the Years

Initially organized on infantry battalions, it included a variety of groups such as the Infantry Battalion, Air Defence Territorial Army, Medical Regiment, and Signal Regiment. With the exception of the Infantry Battalion, these formations were abolished or transformed to regular army by 1972. Many famous people, including business executives and professionals, have proudly served in the Territorial Army, boosting its reputation.

Territorial Army Achievements

The Territorial Army has played an important role in internal security operations, disaster relief initiatives, and combat support missions. Over the years, it has developed into a disciplined and operationally ready force, valued for its adaptability and dedication.

Territorial Army troops participated in operations during the 1962 Indo-China War, as well as the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistan Wars. They have also played an important role in many flood and earthquake relief efforts around India.

• Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka (1987).
• Operation Rakshak in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir (1990).
• Operation Rhino and Operation Bajrang in the northeastern region (1990).

Territorial Army Structure

A battalion typically consists of 750 people. Territorial Army units are operationally controlled by the Indian Army's separate Area Headquarters, and men can be embodied (activated) in response to national emergencies, internal unrest, or natural catastrophes.

• Currently, the Territorial Army has around 50,000 people spread over 65 departmental units (Railways/IOCL/HPCL/BPCL/ONGC) and non-departmental infantry and engineering battalions.
• There are 10 Ecological Territorial Army units supported by several state governments. They use the technical competence of the appropriate State Forest Department (SFD) for afforestation initiatives, soil conservation, the Clean Ganga Mission, and so on.

Difference between the Indian Army and the Territorial Army

Feature	Indian Army (Regular Army)	Territorial Army
Nature	Full-time, professional military force	Part-time voluntary military force
Recruitment Type	Permanent (10 years or more, extendable)	Part-time (while continuing civilian job/business)
Training	Intensive, professional training for combat and operations	Limited training (few months annually)
Deployment	Border areas, peacekeeping missions, foreign deployments	Internal security, disaster management, auxiliary roles
Active Duty	Always on active duty	Called only during war/emergency or special circumstances
Career Opportunity	Permanent career with promotions and diverse roles	Limited career growth and promotional scope
Best Suited For	Those seeking full-time military service and combat roles	Civilians wanting to serve part-time without leaving career
Role in Emergencies	First line of defense in war or crisis	Support role in emergencies and national service