Army Changes Promotion Policy For a Fitter Force

As the Line of Control, the de facto border with Pakistan, and the Line of Actual Control, the existing but disputed border with China, see more activity, the Indian Army has decided to have younger Generals lead formations in order to ensure a fitter fighting force.

The promotion policy has been tweaked so that officers are promoted young, thereby increasing the tenure of Generals leading formations, that is, the army Divisions and Corps.

Earlier, a committee comprising experts looked into causes of the Kargil conflict (1999) and suggested remedial measures. It had pointed out that average age of Colonels – who command regiments and are therefore required to be part operations – was between 40-45 years and suggested that Indian Army go for younger leadership. Over the years, the average age of Colonels has been brought down.

But the profile of the senior leadership of the Indian Army comprising Major Generals (who lead Divisions of 15,000 soldiers) and Lieutenant General (who lead Corps comprising at least 40,000 soldiers) hasn’t changed. Besides, the tenure of Division Commander and Corps Commander is limited to an average of 12-14 months only. The average age of Major General commanding a Division is about 54 years and that of a Lieutenant General is about 56 years.

The new promotion policy comes into effect from 23 December 2017.

And to ensure a smooth transition, the number of annual vacancies of Major General will be cut down to 33 from 44, and that of Lieutenant Generals to 9 from the existing 12.

“If lesser number are promoted, the existing officers will have a longer tenure. Cutting down on the promotions over the next three to four years will achieve the required equilibrium,” a senior Ministry of Defence official explained.

And, in a first, the Indian Army has relaxed the rigid rule of “residual service” for Army Commanders. Earlier, a Lieutenant General, after commanding a Corps, needed 24 months of residual service to be considered for the post of an Army Commander. Under the new promotion policy, this has now been reduced to 18 months.