Centre has empowered Chief of Army Staff to call personnel of Territorial Army (TA) | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Centre has empowered Chief of Army Staff to call personnel of Territorial Army (TA)

Posted 10 May 2025

2 min read

Rule 33 of the Territorial Army Rule 1948 allows Central Government to empower Chief of Army Staff to take support of TA.

About Territorial Army 

  • It is a part of Regular Army. 
    • Unlike full-time soldiers, TA members are civilians who take time out of their regular jobs to train and serve the country in times of need.
    • They are often referred as Terriers. 
  • It acts as a second line of defence after the regular army.
  • Primary Responsibilities: To relieve the Regular Army from static duties and assist Civil Administration in dealing with natural calamities and maintenance of essential services in critical situations.
    • Also provides units for Regular Army as and when required.
  • Eligibility: It includes Indian citizenship, graduation from a recognised university, gainfully employed, etc.
  • Significant Role Played in Earlier wars: TA has actively participated in operations during 1962, 1965, and 1971 wars, plus OP PAWAN in Sri Lanka, OP RAKSHAK in Punjab and J&K, etc. 

Evolution of Territorial Army

  • In 1917, Indian Defence Force Act was enacted. (Leaders like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose joined the University Corps)
  • In 1920, Indian Territorial Force Bill was passed. 
  • After Independence, the TA Act was passed in 1948 and TA was formally inaugurated on October 9, 1949, by C. Rajagopalachari (celebrated as TA Day).
  • Tags :
  • Territorial Army
  • Terriers
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