Downsizing Army: India to send 150,000 soldiers home in next five years

The Indian government appears to be displeased with the performance of its troops as it decides to cut over 150,000 troops over the next four to five years.

According to a report on an Indian news website, the exceeding size of cadre is responsible for the unimpressive performance of the troops due to which the decision of massive reconstruction was taken by the Indian government.

Few of the military’s departments will also be merged in the light of government’s decision.

Military secretary Lt Gen JS Sandhu is heading an 11-member panel which is reviewing the move and is likely to submit its final report along with preliminary presentation to Indian army chief General Bipin Rawat by the end of November.

“Merging of some verticals and rationalising roles are likely to result in cutting 50,000 troops over the next two years. A reduction of 100,000 more personnel may be possible by 2022-23. But all this is in the study phase right now,” said one of the officials privy to the matter.

The downsizing of troops is expected to take place through revamping different verticals including directorates at the army HQs, logistics units, communications establishments, repair facilities and other administrative and support areas, as per the Indian media reports.

According to the Indian media, citing the reason behind merger of verticals, the order read, “The line between verticals has got blurred, resulting in duplication of charters and associated manning. There is a definite case for reviewing the number of verticals with the aim of restructuring within the vertical as also merging where necessary/possible so as to arrive at economies of scale”.