Territorial Army (India)

The Territorial Army in India (commonly referred to as TA in India) is an organization of volunteers who receive military training for a few days in a year so that in case of an emergency they can be mobilized for the defence of the country.

It is a second line of defense after the Regular Indian Army; the Indian Territorial Army is not a profession, occupation or a source of employment. It is only meant for those people who are already in mainstay civilian professions, in fact, gainful employment or self-employment in a civil profession is a pre-requisite for joining the Territorial Army.

History

The Indian Defence Force, incorporating Europeans and Indians in separate sections, was formed by the British in 1917. It was replaced by the Auxiliary Force (for Europeans and Eurasians) and the Indian Territorial Force (for Indians) in 1920.

The modern Territorial Army was formally inaugurated by the first Indian Governor General Shri C. Rajagopalachari on October 9, 1949 after the Independence Territorial Army Act was passed in 1948. October 9 is celebrated as Prime Minister's Territorial Army Day Parade.

The Territorial Army initially had various types of units such as Armoured Regiment, Infantry Battalion, Air Defence, Medical Regiment, Engineers Field Park Coy, Signal Regiment, EME Workshop, Coast Battery, ASC GT Coy, ASC Compo Pl, and AMC Field Ambulance. By 1972 these units were either disbanded or converted...
Read More