Territorial Army: Force created after 1857 that helps in war and peace

The defence ministry has granted the Army Chief expanded authority to mobilise the Territorial Army amid heightened tensions with Pakistan. Under Rule 33 of the Territorial Army Act, 1948, the Army Chief can call upon all officers and enrolled personnel of the Territorial Army to provide essential security or supplement regular Army operations. But what is the Territorial Army?

How it started

After the 1857 revolt, the British reorganised local militia into volunteer forces, which saw action in overseas conflicts like the Second Boer War and World War I. In 1920, the Indian Territorial Force was established, which is the direct precursor to today’s Territorial Army.

After Independence, the need for a homegrown citizens’ army was recognised and the Territorial Army Act was passed in Aug 1948. Indian Territorial Army was inaugurated on Oct 9, 1949, envisioned as a volunteer reserve force of “citizen soldiers” who would serve part-time in defence of the nation. The primary motive was to create a second line of defence that could be mobilised in emergencies. By allowing civilians to serve in uniform on a part-time basis, India’s leaders sought to harness the patriotism and skills of ordinary citizens for national defence.

Membership & training

TA is a volunteer force comprising professionals, businessmen, and others who undergo military training in their spare time. Applicants must be Indian citizens, 18-42 years old and be medically fit. TA personnel train for about two months every year.

Roles and purpose

An Army Order in 1984 succinctly described the TA’s role as: To “relieve the regular Army from static duties and assist civil administration in dealing with natural calamities and maintenance of essential services, and to provide units for the regular Army as and when required”. In practice, this means the TA is tasked to:

➤ Augment the Army’s manpower in war
➤ Bolster counterinsurgency operations and maintain law and order in troubled areas
➤ Ensure critical services (like railways, telecommunications, etc) continue running during war or emergencies
➤ Assist civil authorities during natural disasters (floods, earthquakes, cyclones) or other emergencies

Past participation

Often nicknamed the “Terriers”, TA units have helped out on several occasions:

1947-48 & 1962 | Soon after inception, TA units were involved in supplementary roles during the first Indo-Pak conflict in Kashmir (1947–48) and the border skirmishes preceding the 1962 Sino-Indian War. During the 1962 hostilities, TA 50k Current strength of Territorial Army, comprising 65 units across India was fully mobilised. They provided logistical support in the Himalayas and manned defensive positions in rear areas.

1965 & 1971 | In both the IndoPakistani wars the TA was again called upon en masse. TA battalions performed vital combat support and logistics roles alongside the Army.

1980s | The TA was deployed in Operation Rakshak, supporting counter-insurgency operations first in Punjab (against Sikh militancy) and later in Jammu & Kashmir (against Pakistan-backed militants). TA soldiers carried out patrols, manned checkpoints, and protected infrastructure in these states. In the late 1980s, Operation Pawan saw the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka (1987–1990) battling Tamil insurgents. TA units were sent to Sri Lanka as part of this mission, primarily in logistical and support roles to the peacekeeping troops.

1999 | They secured rear zones, ammunition depots, and lines of supply during the Kargil conflict.