Lok Sabha Question No. 2423 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-11
Subject: Shortage of Officers in Army
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2423

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  MARCH, 2016

## SHORTAGE  OF  OFFICERS  IN  ARMY

## 2423.  SHRI  KIRTI AZAD:

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

- (a) whether there is a shortage of Officers in the Indian Army against the total number of sanctioned posts for officers, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the age limit of officers in combat and combat support cadres at present; and
- (c) whether the Government is considering to lower the age limit of officers in combat and combat support cadres, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                            (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

j{kk ea=h

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(a) to (c): A statement is attached.

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## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2423 FOR ANSWER ON 11.3.2016

- (a) In  Army  (excluding  Army  Medical  Corps,  Army  Dental  Corps  and Military Nursing Service), as on 01.07.2015, against the authorized strength of  49,631 officers, held strength of officers was 40,525 with a shortage of 9,106 officers.
- (b) Age limit for entry into various entry schemes in Army is as under:

| S. No.   | Entry scheme                                                                  | Age limit                                                   |
|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|
| (i)      | National Defence Academy                                                      | 16½ to 19½ years                                            |
| (ii)     | Combined Defence Services                                                     | 19 to 22 years                                              |
| (iii)    | Technical Graduate Course Entry                                               | 20 to 27 years                                              |
| (iv)     | National Cadet Corps Special Entry [Short Service Commission (Non Technical)] | 19 to 25 years                                              |
| (v)      | University Entry Scheme                                                       | 18 to 24 years (pre-final year) 19 to 25 years (final year) |
| (vi)     | Short Service Commission (Non Technical)                                      | 19 to 25 years                                              |
| (vii)    | Short Service Commission (Technical)                                          | 20 to 27 years                                              |
| (viii)   | 10 + 2 (Technical Entry Scheme)                                               | 16½ to 19½ years                                            |
| (ix)     | Army Cadet College (from Other Ranks)                                         | 20 to 27 years                                              |
| (x)      | Special Commissioned Officers (from Other Ranks).                             | 28 to 35 years.                                             |

(c) Presently,  there  is  no  proposal  to  lower  the  age  limit  for  entry  of officers in Indian Army.

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