Territorial Army(TA) for The Enthusiast
There are a large number of youth who are disappointed on not being able to join the armed forces as a career or have a burning desire to be a part of the uniform at a later stage in life ie, once they are settled into their respective careers. The Territorial Army presents just the kind of opportunity for them. While for jawans, the TA gives another chance for a full fledged career in uniform, for the Officer Cadre, it offers well educated professionals to share their time partially in uniform. The professionals who opt for a career as a TA Officer, serve for a minimum of two months every year as part of the TA and contribute to the service in uniform.
What is Territorial Army?
- The Territorial army was raised by the British in 1920 and was continued in India by Territorial Army Act passed in 1948. It is a part of Regular Army and its present role is to relieve the Regular Army from static duties during active operations, as well as assist civil administration in dealing with natural calamities and maintenance of essential services in situations where life of the communities is affected. They augment the regular army.
- Initially, it had all types of units viz Infantry, Engineers, Air Defence, EME, Signals, ASC and Medical. However, by 1972 these units have either been disbanded or converted to Regular Army except Infantry Battalion (TA). Territorial Army has a strength approx. 40000 persons comprising of Departmental TA units such as Railway, IOC, ONGC, and Non Departmental TA units of Infantry Battalion (TA) including Home & Hearth Battalions, Ecological Battalion (TA) affiliated to various Infantry Regiments and Engineer Regiment (TA) for maintenance of Line of Control Fencing.
- The units of Territorial Army have taken part in all operations and won a number of gallantry awards. Many Industrialists, politicians and eminent personalities such as Sachin Pilot, South Indian Actor Mohan Lal, noted cricketers Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni are a part of TA. The force also has had the honour of appointing 11 officers over the years as Hony ADC to the President of India.
Why Should One Opt for the TA?
A question most frequently asked / likely to be asked is “Why should One opt for TA?” For personnel seeking to be enrolled as jawans, it gives a full time employment in uniform(similar to the regular Army), while for the Officer cadre, it gives an opportunity to serve in uniform while still pursuing their primary career/ profession. For the enthusiast, but for the one who couldn’t join the regular Army, the TA offers the following:-
- Professional Advancement
- Job Satisfaction
- Job Security
- Economic Stability
- Social Status
- Quality of Life
- Variety and Adventure
- Service Benefits Following incentives and service benefits are available to Territorial Army for the duration person is serving:-
- Promotion to higher ranks
- Entitled rations, CSD facilities and medical facilities to self and dependents
- Facilities of leave, leave encashment, accommodation and leave travel concessions Entitlement to all medals and awards as applicable to the Regular Army.
- Rank Pay as applicable to Regular Army.
- DA as applicable.
- Special increments.
- Entitlement of pension for officers with 20 years and JCOs and Other Ranks
- Facilities of Army Welfare Housing Organisation after 10 years of embodied/ physical service.
- Terminal gratuity at the time of discharge/ retirement (other than civil Govt employees).
- Ex-servicemen status and free medical facilities to pensioners.
- Certain State Govts and Departments give the following incentives to TA personnel
- Cash awards varying from Rs 2500/- to Rs 5000/- by State Govts on award of TA Decoration/ TA Medal.
- Mufti allowance and lump sum daily allowance by departments like ONGC and IOC.
- Service Embodiment All personnel of Infantry and Departmental TA will be called out for service embodiment by the Central Government or the authority empowered by it to do so, on the eve of National Emergency or for Internal Security duties and training exercises.
Eligibility for Candidates
- For Jawans
- Age– 18 to 42 years
- Education– Matriculation
- Process Applicant to report to the unit or the Recruiting Office on designated dates as advertised in Newspaper and Indian Army Website for tests as per laid down procedures. Selected candidates have to go through the Medical Board and Police Verification.
- For Officers Cadre
- Nationality :Citizens of India.
- Limits : 18 to 42 years on the date of application.
- Educational Qualifications :Graduate from any recognized university
- Physical Standards :A candidate must be physically and medically fit in all respects.
- Employment : Gainfully Employed.
- How To Apply: Candidates are required to apply online by using the website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in. Brief instructions for filling up the online Application Form (IAF(TA)-9 (Revised) Part-1) have been given on the website.
- Embodiment For Training:
- One month basic training in the first year of commission.
- Two months annual training camp every year including the first year.
- Three months Post Commissioning training within first two years at IMA, Dehradun.
- Terms And Conditions Of Service:
- Commission is granted in the rank of Lieutenant.
- Pay and Allowances and privileges will be same as Regular Army Officers when embodied for training and military service.
- Promotions upto Lt Col by time scale subject to fulfilling laid down criteria. Promotion to Colonel and Brigadier by selection.
- Officers commissioned in Infantry TA may be called out for military service for longer duration depending on the requirement
- Oil Sector (TA) Units Three Oil Sector (TA) units were approved by the Ministry of Defence in 1980.
- 801 Engineer Regt (TA) Refinery & Pipeline
- 811 Engineer Regiments Oil Natural Gas Corporation (TA)
- 414 ASC Battalion Marketing (TA)
These units have Territorial Army personnel enrolled from various field of Oil Sector PSUs. During national emergency/ crises these Territorial Army personnel are embodied in which they are liable to perform the assigned duties. The task of Oil Sector (TA) units is more of technical in nature than of combat. The TA personnel of these units perform the same task which they do in their parent department ie in Oil Companies.
Women employees of Oil Sectors PSUs are also allowed to be commissioned/enrolled as Officer, Junior Commissioned Officer and Other Ranks in Oil Sector (TA) units as commensurate to civil ranks.
- Railway Engineer Regiments (TA) There are six Railway Engineer Regiments (TA). These units have Territorial Army personnel enrolled from various Railway Zones. During national emergency/crises these Territorial Army personnel are embodiment in which they are liable to perform the assigned duties. The TA personnel of these units perform the same task which they do in their parent department i.e. in Railways.
Women employees of Railways are also allowed to be commission/ enroll as Officer, Junior Commissioned Officer and Other Ranks in Railway Engineer Regiments (TA).
- How to Join Departmental Territorial Army
- Conditions of Eligibility:
- Age Limits: 18 to 42 years other than medical officer. 18 to 45 years of age for medical officer.
- Educational Qualifications: Graduation and appropriate technical qualification.
- Employment: Employment in Indian Railway / IOCL / HPCL / BPCL / ONGC.
- Process
- Applicants to submit application through their HoD to TA Group HQs.
- If found suitable by a Board of Officers will further undergo Medical Board at nearest Military Hospital.
- Process through TA Directorate and Ministry of Defence for final selection.
- Ecological TA Units Ecological Task Force (ETF) Battalions (TA) have been raised to execute specific ecology related projects, with military like work culture and commitment, by enrolling Ex-Servicemen. ETF Battalions (TA) use technical expertise of the respective State Forest Department (SFD), for afforestation related activities and promote environment.
- Presently nine such Infantry Battalions (TA) Ecological, comprising 22 operational companies, are carrying out afforestation in difficult and degraded areas in States of Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, J & K, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Assam and Maharashtra.
- Ecological Bn for Maharashtra has been raised in 2017 for drought hit Marathwada region of the state.
- A Composite Ecological Task Force for National Mission for Clean Ganga is under raising at Allahabad. On completion of raising, one company each will be deployed at Kanpur, Varanasi and Allahabad for the said mission.
- ETF Bns are either funded by Min of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF& CC) or by respective State Govts. These ETF Battalions have been raised with the twin objectives of restoration of fragile ecosystem and affording excellent opportunity for Army Veterans to contribute in Nation building.
- Relevant Addresses https://www.territorialarmy.in or call 9017516001 between 11 am to 4 pm from Monday to Friday.
Additional Directorate General of Territorial Army
GS Branch, L Block, Church Road, New Delhi-01
Call on Queries Related to:-
Junior Commissioned Officer’s & Other Ranks: 011-23092827
Conclusion : Joining the TA is a viable and good option for professionals as well as those able bodied young men and women who want to serve as part of uniform besides being engaged in their primary profession. It gives themn a feeling to be part of a uniformed force and enjoy the social status too. The aim of this article is to promote awareness amongst the eligible for the TA.
For Civilians Only
About the Author
Col Manoj Mehrotra is an alumni of the National Defence Academy and has now retired after 33 years of service. He was commissioned in the Army Air Defence and has a rich experience in different designations as well as locations. He has also been Principal Consultant to Dept of Urban Development, MP, for Smart City Projects. He can be reached at manoj_42ch@yahoo.co.in or via LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/col-manoj-mehrotra-retd-20764422
Note from The Editor : We have started a series of articles on Indian Army. This includes articles which are intended to spread general awareness amongst the entrepreneurs and the youth. While the articles are likely to motivate the youth for joining the Indian Army, but the entrepreneurs and start ups are likely to be benefitted by the general information about the organisation, structure and equipment of units of the Army. We have already addressed 
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