In a major reform, Army to increase number of combat-worthy officers in forward units 

Indian Army commandos from the Parachute Regiment during a parade.

New Delhi: The Indian Army is all set to witness some major changes in the upcoming days as the defence ministry, on Thursday, has approved the proposal to increase the number of officers for forward units and also to the creation of the post of deputy chief of Army staff strategy to handle operational and force planning.

The new post of DCOAS (Strategy) is being created to deal with military operations, military intelligence, strategic planning and operational logistics. Currently, the director general of military operations (DGMO) and the director general of military intelligence (DGMI) report directly to the Army chief.

The defence ministry has also approved creation of two new branches to deal with vigilance and human rights issues. They will both be headed by major general-ranked officials. While the additional director general (vigilance) will have a major general or equivalent from the three services for an objective and impartial approach, the additional director general (human rights) will be headed by an inspector general of police on deputation. This is the first time a civilian officer would be directly posted inside a core Army branch.

The defence ministry, while approving the first batch of reforms in the Army for a leaner and more efficient force, has taken the decision to relocate nearly 20 per cent of the officers posted in headquarters to forward units, based on study conducted on the reforms and recommendations submitted to the ministry.

The official from the ministry has confirmed the decision of optimizing and relocating of officers from the headquarters to units and formation of field armies. “The number of officers up to the rank of colonel in Army Headquarters is currently between 1,000 and 1,100, and 20 per cent of them will be available for field postings. Ninety per cent of these officers are from the ranks of colonel and below. It’s the officers who lead the men in combat, so having more of them with field units will definitely enhance operational capabilities,” the official said.

According to the official, the post of deputy chief of Army staff strategy will look after military operations, military intelligence, strategic planning and information warfare branches. The director general (information warfare) will have the additional director general (public information) and IW wings under him, the official confirmed.  

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