Over 1.55 Lakh Posts Vacant In Armed Forces, Maximum In Army: Centre

The Indian armed forces currently face a shortage of around 1.55 lakh personnel, with the army having the highest number of vacant positions at 1.36 lakh.

Armed Forces are facing a deficiency of around 1.55 lakh personnel.

New Delhi: The Indian Armed Forces are facing a deficiency of around 1.55 lakh personnel.  There are around 1.55 vacancies, with the Army having the highest number of vacancies at 1.36 lakh, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Monday.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said regular reviews are conducted to address the shortage of armed forces personnel, and various measures have been taken to fill the vacancies and encourage young people to join the Services.

Bhatt said that the Indian Army, including the Army Medical Corps and Army Dental Corps, is experiencing a shortage of 8,129 officers.

There are currently 509 vacancies in the Military Nursing Service (MNS) and 1,27,673 posts of JCOs and other ranks are vacant as well. Additionally, there are 252 vacant Group A posts among civilians employed by the forces, 2,549 vacancies in Group B, and 35,368 vacancies in Group C, the minister said.

The minister stated that the Navy is facing a shortage of 12,428 personnel, including a shortage of 1,653 officers, 29 medical and dental officers, and 10,746 sailors.

Among the civilian employees, there is a deficiency of 165 in Group A, 4207 in Group B, and 6,156 in Group C.

In the Indian Air Force, there is a shortage of 7,031 personnel. There is also a deficiency of 721 officers, 16 medical officers, 4,734 Airmen, and 113 Airmen of Medical Assistant trade among others, he said.

Among the civilians being employed, there is a deficiency of 22 in Group A, 1303 in Group B, and 5531 in Group C.

"Shortage of armed forces personnel and mitigating measures are reviewed regularly by the Armed Forces and based on detailed analysis. Numerous measures have been initiated to fill the vacancies and encourage youth to join the Services," Bhatt said.

The plan involves improved image projection and publicity in audio, visual, print, internet, social media, holding career fairs, exhibitions, motivational lectures in schools and colleges, computer-based online application filling examination, revamping of websites of Services to facilitate implementation of a robust recruitment management system among others, the minister said.

Bhatt has outlined several measures that are being taken to motivate young people to join the services. These include implementing a recruitment process that is more user-friendly for candidates, granting Permanent Commission to Short Service Commission officers of both genders, allowing women to join through NDA, and developing the necessary infrastructure to support recruitment efforts.