Lok Sabha Question No. 128 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Shortage of Jawans and Officers
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: ASHWINI KUMAR, VINOD CHAVDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.128

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## SHORTAGE OF JAWANS AND OFFICERS

*128.  SHRI  ASHWINI KUMAR:

SHRI VINOD  LAKHAMASHI  CHAVDA:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is a significant shortage of jawans and officers in the defence forces at present and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any survey has been conducted in this regard;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the  steps  taken  /  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  mitigate  the  shortage  and augment the forces by conducting a special recruitment drive; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  utilize  the  services  of  retired  defence personnel including officers, for the security of the country especially in border areas and if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                    (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jherh  fueZyk lhrkje.k )

(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 128 FOR ANSWER ON 27.12.2017

(a) to (c): Details  of  strength  of  Officers  in  the  three  Armed  Forces (excluding medical and dental, force-wise are as under:

| Service                    |   Authorised Strength |   Held Strength | Shortage      |
|----------------------------|-----------------------|-----------------|---------------|
| Army (As on 1.7.2017)      |                 49932 |           42253 | 7679 (15.38%) |
| Navy (As on 31.10.2017)    |                 11827 |           10393 | 1434 (12.12%) |
| Air Force (As on 1.9.2017) |                 12550 |           12404 | 146 (1.19%)   |

Details  of  strength  of  Personnel  Below  Officers  Rank  (PBOR)  / Airmen / Sailors in the three Armed  Forces (excluding medical and dental), force-wise, are as under:

| Service                    |   Authorised Strength |   Held Strength | Shortage       |
|----------------------------|-----------------------|-----------------|----------------|
| Army (As on 1.7.2017)      |               1215049 |         1194864 | 20185 (1.66%)  |
| Navy (As on 31.10.2017)    |                 71656 |           56835 | 14821 (20.68%) |
| Air Force (As on 1.9.2017) |                142529 |          127172 | 15357 (10.77%) |

- (d) The recruitment in the Armed Forces is a continuous process.  The Government  has  taken  a  number  of  measures  to  reduce  the  shortages. These include  sustained image projection, participation in career fairs and exhibitions and publicity campaign to create awareness among the youth on  the  advantages  of  taking  up  a  challenging  and  satisfying  career. Further, Government has taken various steps to make armed forces' jobs attractive  including  improvement  in  promotion  prospects  in  the  Armed Forces.

Recruitment of Personnel Below Officers Ranks (PBORs) in Army is carried out through Open Rally System being conducted regularly throughout the country.  Efforts are made to cover entire country including remote and tribal areas. In Navy, regular recruitment drives are undertaken,  covering  all  States  /  Regions  for  recruitment  of  sailors. Recruitment of Airmen in Air Force is on all India basis through scheduled selection  tests.    In  addition,  recruitment  rallies  are  also  conducted  in different parts of the country including tribal areas to provide opportunity to youth to join the Armed Forces. (e) In  the  Indian  Army  officers  proceeding  on  superannuation,  who  are eligible, are being granted Re-employment against deficiencies in the rank of Lt. Colonel and below in the officers cadre.  Services of such officers are utilized both in field and peace areas.

******