A Thought : Increasing Number of NDA Campuses in India will Help in Long Run

On December 16,2021 the results of NDA were announced. Before results were announced, Junior Raksha Mantri Mr Ajay Bhatt informed Lok sabha that about 5,75,856 youngsters of the ages of 17.5-19.5 yrs applied for the NDA exam. After the interview processes is over it’s forecasted that about 400 youngsters will join Indian Armed forces.
The interview process of NDA is a tough one where the entire personality of a person is tested & its a known fact that after undergoing NDA training of 3 years the person comes out changed in the better manner.

Given the types of evolving warfare types in the world as discussed many times in The Chanakya Forum, there is also a need to increase the manpower of armed forces, presently the armed forces pick people from 3 processes : NDA,CDS & junior post exams like JCO/OR for Army etc. It is indeed a noble process, a tried & tested one which has given a lot of positive implications for armed forces. India has 1 of the largest armed forces in the world but there is always a scope of improvement given the changing dynamics of geopolitics.

Given the increasing number of educated youth interested in armed forces ( can be proved through rise in number of applications )hence in my humble, sincere & non partisan opinion the Armed forces should consider increasing the number of NDA campuses in India. Another need is to focus on increasing the number of youngsters attempting the NDA which would be beneficial for the Armed forces, this can be done at the discretion of Armed forces .

This is not to insinuate that the selection process should be diluted, the selection process should *not* be diluted at any cost but certainly it can be used for searching of more youth with the desirable qualities to be added into the armed forces.

After the completion of entire training duration for 3 years + 1 year at IMA more youth will be added to the different services, regiments, special forces etc. Simply increasing the number of youth added into the armed forces will give more edge & a scope of expansion for armed forces into different areas.

The second direct benefit that will occur is that there will be a lot more youth who will apply for NDA exam as increase in number of campuses will act as a confidence booster to many people who may be reluctant to apply given the tough chances of being selected.

The third impact would be the current NDA campus at Khadakvasla, Pune will also get a competition from the other campuses which will make the NDA course more stricter & will make the administration at NDA Khadakvasla to also innovate their training methods.

The fourth impact would be that it will boost local economy as has been done in Pune . In which area should the other campus be opened should be at the informed judgement of CDS, Raksha Mantralaya, NSA in consultation with PMO & HMO.

The fifth impact will be of course the increase in the number of armed forces personnel which will lead to more technological changes ,more enthusiasm in armed forces, more flow of ideas to improve national security apparatus which will lead to India become a pinnacle of military superpower which has its own set of benefits. “AGAIN IT IS NOT” to imply that there has not been flow of ideas in armed forces, the armed forces are 1 of the few institutions that have remodelled their ideas from time 2 time. But I feel that more can be done in this field given the amount of talented youth that we have in India. It is basically taking the level of ideas flow from 10,00,000 to 20,00,000(though hypothetically) which is always beneficial in any part of the world.

The sixth hidden benefit would be an improvement in the defence products manufacturing as demand for arms will increase which would lead to more Indian companies manufacturing world class weapons which can be ordered by Armed forces which will help us realise the dream of Atmanirbharta in Arms manufacturing.

Another benefit would be that we would be able to increase our contribution in peacekeeping forces which will bring a lot of goodwill to India over time. The quality of armed forces personnel wont be compromised as the armed forces training is such that it inculcates remarkable leadership skills in people as we have seen over the years where armed forces have produced legendary generals like Field Marshall Sam Bahadur Manekshaw, Late CDS General Bipin ji Rawat, General Sundarji, First Indian ACM Subrata Mukherjee who heralded a lot of reforms which have helped armed forces negotiate various security concerns.

Some of the NDA cadets can also be sent into the CRPF,CISF or other paramilitary forces/Intel/investigative agencies based on different skillsets of youth which will boost synergy among different groups which will be in interest of our beloved motherland.

The GoI along with Armed forces should revisit, redefine the military policies from time to time in order to make the evergreen talented armed forces as the pinnacle of military superpower.

I sincerely urge Government of India to also consider awarding Bharat Ratna to Lt Gen JFR Jacob, Field Marshall Sam Bahadur Manekshaw & Late CDS General Bipin Rawat who have contributed a lot to India.

PS: I have not included central forces, BSF & other armed security services in India who have played a phenomenal role in maintaining national security.