What is Indian Army: Roles, Importance & Training

The Indian Army is the land-based division of the Indian Armed Forces or the military system. The Supreme Commander of the Indian Army is the President of India. Besides, the Head of the Indian Army is the Chief Army Staff or COAS, a four-star general. Bharatiya Thal Sena, or our Indian Army, is the second-largest active troop in the world. 

Read this article below to get a detailed overview of what the Indian Army is, its roles, responsibilities and motto.    

Below is the importance of the Indian Army:

• The Indian Army is important as they aid national security and preserve India’s sovereignty, harmony and territorial integrity from any external intimidation or aggression.

• Our Indian Army ensures humanitarian support and aids civilians during natural disasters and emergencies.

• The Indian Army is a specialised military component that uses advanced weapons and strategies to respond to external aggressions and threats whenever required.

• The Indian Army receives training to enhance their physical, psychological, social, spiritual and cognitive attitude. It is so that they can perform in any situation.

• They upgrade themselves to emerging global trends in military functions. It means they use AI systems, cyber capabilities, Drones and multiple modern technologies to support their missions and operations

Indian Army regiments have diverse histories as they have participated in multiple warfares, earning several honours before and after Independence. To know more about what the Indian Army is and how it started to operate, one must learn about its history. Here is a short history of the Indian Army:

Evolution and Formation

Evolving from the Armed Forces of East India Company, the Army became British Indian Army and received Indian Army post Independence. There were several predecessors to the contemporary Indian Army, which were raised by the three British presidencies. 

These predecessors included – the Sepoy regiments, native cavalries, Indian miner and sapper companies and irregular horses. The Indian Army was formed under the British Raj during the 19th century by merging the erstwhile presidential armies. All of them were brought under the Crown. 

World Wars

The British Indian Army fought in World War I and II. These Armed Forces succeeded the British Military in India after India gained Independence in 1947. Post-World War II, several wartime soldiers were discharged. Hence, these reduced Armed Forces were divided between India and Pakistan. The princely states had their troops merged into the national Army after Independence.

The British era of the Indian Army lasted for about 200 years. The first army officer appointed as the Commander-in-Chief was Major Stringer Lawrence. He is, therefore, called the Father of the Indian Army. 

Independence

Amongst the significant factors that led to Independence was the formation of the Indian National Army or INA by the Indian prisoners of war. About 20000 officers and men joined the INA. It was then that the British realised that they must not rely on the Indian Army to put down a movement for Independence. Fearing revolution and more aggression, the British finally decided to grant Independence on February 20, 1947. 

His Majesty’s Government announced transferring power to Indians. Lord Mountbatten replaced the Viceroy in the position of Wavell. Depending on the views of two major political parties, the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, officials decided to partition India into the Dominions of India and Pakistan on August 15 1947. 

After Partition

On January 15 1949, Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa was designated as the first Commander-in-Chief of independent India. On this special day, Cariappa, who led the Indian Forces to victory in 1947, took control of the Indian Army from the last British Chief Commander, General Sir FRR Bucher, in 1949. He propagated the slogan 'Jai Hindi', which means 'Victory of India'. That is why we celebrate Indian Army Day on January 15 every year.

The motto of the Indian Army is 'Seva Asmakam Dharma’ or ‘Seva Paramo Dharma’ written in Sanskrit, meaning 'Service before self'. This slogan is influenced by the soldier's inspiration and regimental culture. Moreover, our Indian Army is categorised into several sections, ranks and regiments, each with a motto.

Here is all about Indian Army’s roles and responsibilities:

• Indian Army ensures counter-terrorism operations by providing special reconnaissance missions.

• It also carries out humanitarian rescue operations during emergencies and natural calamities. One such example is Operation Surya Hope (2013).

• The Indian Army assists all government agencies in coping with other internal threats. 

• They work alongside the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force during special operations and enforce direct action whenever and wherever necessary.

• Another role is that the Indian Army forces projections and participates in joint military exercises with the troops of friendly foreign nations.

• Their role is to aid peacekeeping operations and allow military assistance to other countries whenever necessary.

• Apart from ensuring India’s territorial integrity, they participate in United Nations peacekeeping missions that are in agreement with India's commitment to the United Nations Charter.

• These Forces ensure security to Indian border posts in critical regions. These are in the land borders with Pakistan, China and Bangladesh.

There are 21 different cadres in the Indian Army categorised into different branches. Here are the details below:

1. Non-Technical Branches

This is a one-year training programme that These branches are the frontline fighting divisions of the Indian Army. These include:

Infantry Corps

The infantry primarily attacks and defends during a war. All the other branches support these troops on foot.

Armoured Corps

This division comprises the armoured regiments of the Indian Army. Having 63 armoured regiments, these Corps celebrate May 1 as corps raising day.

Artillery

Artillery is the second largest branch of the Indian Army. It comprises about one-sixth of the Army's total strength. Artillery uses mortars, guns, rocket launchers, missiles, aerial vehicles, surveillance systems, and artillery firepower. It is further subdivided into Corps of Army Air Defence and Field Artillery.

• Army Air Defence uses guns and rockets to handle airborne enemy attacks.

• Field Artillery uses mortars and guns to handle enemy ground troops.

Army Aviation Corps

The Army Aviation Corps attacks enemies from the air and ensures logistical support to the Indian Army in remote areas. It is, especially in the Siachen Glacier area. 

Additionally, they perform tasks such as - Combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions, Combat transportation, logistics relief, artillery lift, military prisoner transportation and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) during warfare and natural calamities.

2. Technical Branches

If finding 'what does the Indian army do' in technical branches, here are some of its functions:

Corps of Signals

Corps of Signals operates Indian Army’s military communications. They function closely with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop control and command software.

Corps of Engineers

This branch handles all the technical aspects of missions. This team comprises - Combat Engineers, BRO, MES, MAP and Survey of India. Here is all about them in detail:

• Combat Engineers comprises three groups - Bengal Sappers, Madras Sappers, and Bombay Sappers. They operate construction works during war. It includes building bridges to transport armoured tanks, etc.

• Border Roads Organisation, or BRO, develops and maintains transport networks in India’s border regions and friendly neighbouring countries.

• Married Accommodation Project, or MAP, constructs married accommodation for the service personnel of the Indian Armed Forces.

• Military Engineering Service, or MES, is the only construction company in India which carries out all construction-related jobs. It includes the construction of hospitals, residential and office buildings, roads and runways, and marine structures such as docks and harbours in the country and border areas.

• Survey of India is our country’s central engineering agency in charge of mapping and surveying.

Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME)

The Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering work on the development, design, trial and test, inspection and fitting of weapons and equipment. In addition, they provide technical advice to units and conduct recovery missions in peace and war.

3. Service Branches or Other Support Branches

These branches support the major divisions by aiding logistics, medical education, lawyers, etc. 

Army Service Corps

This Corps is responsible for procuring and distributing food supplies, rations, fresh & dry food items, hygiene chemicals, fuels, oil, lubricants, carriage & distribution of weapons and ammunition, and hospital comfort items to the Army.

Army Ordnance Corps

This division provides everything from clothes to weapons such as tanks, missiles etc., except fuel, fodder, and medicines.

Remount and Veterinary Corp

Remount and Veterinary Corps breeds, rears and trains all animals used in the battalion. 

Military Farms

These military farms were formed during the British era to supply the Indian Army with milk products. However, as of August 2017, the government ordered the closing of all 39 Military Farms as they are not in use currently.

Army Education Corps

The Army Education Corps educates soldiers and officers of all ranks in several disciplines. Officials of these centres provide education in combat and non-combat operations. In addition, they provide education in military academies like NDA, AFA, ACC, IMA, INA, etc. and post-commission courses.

Military Intelligence

Military Intelligence mandate includes counter-terrorism in the north and the north-east regions and generating specific intelligence for small group missions and operations. They also handle counterintelligence in the Army, which includes identifying and detecting spies in military regions.

Corps of Military Police

Corps of Military Police receive extensive training to handle prisoners of war. They also regulate traffic and operate telecommunication equipment. 

Judge Advocate General

It is the legal branch of the Indian Army that deals with all the court marshals. This branch provides legal advice to the troops and practises military law on its personnel.

Pioneer Corps

Pioneer Corps are divisions that provide well-trained manpower. It is where civilian labour is unavailable or employment is not required due to security reasons. Pioneer units are mostly committed to operational areas.

Canteen Stores Department

The Army canteen sells a variety of products - kitchen appliances, drinks, cars, sports equipment, etc. The price of these goods is low as they are exempted from taxes.

Defence Security Corps

The role and responsibility of the Defence Security Corps is to ensure the security of designated defence installations and prevent them from sabotage and pilferage. This department ensures security at India’s nuclear laboratories, Indian Ordnance Factories, and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) establishments.

4. Armed Forces Medical Services

These divisions in the Indian Army assure medical services to the Army officials by adopting advanced medical equipment. Here is all about them in detail:

Army Medical Corps

It is a specialist corps in the Indian Army which provides medical services to Army personnel. 

Army Dental Corps

Army Dental Corps have officers assisting the soldiers and educating them to maintain their oral health care and provide them with dental hygiene.

Military Nursing Service

Military Nursing Service is a significant division of the Armed Forces Medical Services, or AFMS. Post-independence, the Officers of this branch have played a significant role in United Nations peacekeeping missions abroad in UN missions.

Army training educates the recruits about the discipline and principles of an Army's life. It also educates individuals about essential survival skills and military customs. It teaches them to accomplish a task or a mission as a team. 

In addition, they educate them about the process of dressing, grooming and marching. After receiving the Infantry Battalion Training, one can become a member of the Mechanised Battalion and can carry a rifle.

The Infantry Training Battalion trains for 34 weeks in four phases. Below is a description of each phase in detail:

1. Phase I

This phase is about a week long and undergoes at the beginning of your training period. During this week, individuals receive formal entry documentation and a medical examination. 

Along with that, they receive a kit and the art of handling and maintaining it. During these first-week sessions, trainees become familiar with the Mechanised Infantry Regiment Centre (MIRC).

2. Phase II

During this second phase, one must participate in basic training for about 19 weeks and then take four weeks of leave. Basic training consists of several physical activities, including route marching, weapon training, marching, drilling and physical training. 

Trainees might participate in obstacle courses and compete in physical activities too. In this phase, they learn the basics of navigation, weapons assembly and tactical operations.

3. Phase III

This phase undergoes for about 15 weeks and includes advanced training. In addition, it follows a strict daily agenda. One must take part in lectures on military culture and discipline. Individuals also learn to maintain their equipment and handle weapons in the field and under simulated conditions.

 During this phase, one must study national issues regarding defence and security problems along with military strategies and tactics. This includes camouflage, reconnaissance drills, patrolling and concealment. Sergeants will take tests on all the skills trainees have learnt so far.

4. Phase IV

This is the final and most crucial phase. It involves two weeks of Counter Insurgency Operations training. This training includes route marching, tactical drills, combat patrolling and cross-country navigation. 

Phase IV includes a graduation ceremony and marks the completion of the basic training period. As trainees complete this phase, they now become soldiers in the Mechanised Battalion.

If you wish to join the Indian Army (National Defence Academy), there are certain criteria you must fulfil. These are as follows:

• Candidates must have completed Class 12 with at least 70% aggregate. 

• The candidate must pass their graduation in one of the following subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Zoology, Botany, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Geology, Chemistry and Statistics. 

• You must complete graduation from a recognised institute.

• Selections are based on the Entrance exam.

• In the entrance exam, you must get at least 40% marks in each paper separately and an overall average of 50%.

Now, you must have an idea about what the Indian Army is and how it functions. While pursuing the field, it is important to note that the responsibility of an army officer is significant. As they are assigned a specific department or system to manage, they are the leaders of these units. 

Their job includes delegating tasks to the ones reporting them and ensuring that these tasks are completed at the highest standards. In the Indian Army, an army officer adheres to three principles – honour, duty and country.