RECRUITMENT IN ARMED FORCES
LOK SABHA
The induction
of officers into the Army is open to all eligible candidates.
No Statewise quota is earmarked. The recruitment figures since
inception of Image Projection Campaign are 1,947 in 1998, 1,782
in 1999, 2,335 in 2000 and 1,473 in 2001.
While the Image
Projection Campaign was specific to the Army, extensive publicity
and recruitment drives have also been undertaken by the Air Force
and the Navy.
The present shortage
of officers in the Army is 12,554, in Air Force is 686 and 914
in the Navy.
Some of the factors
which could be attributed to the shortfall in the strength of
the officers are :-
- Although a good number of
candidates pass through the written examination, the Service
Selection Board rejects those who are not able to meet the
requisite selection and medical criterion.
- A relatively risky and hazardous
career in the armed forces compared to other option available,
in a fast developing and modern society, also has a significant
impact on the preferences of potential aspirants.
In
addition to the Image Projection Campaign by the Army with special
focus on eligible Army aspirants, the valiant image of the Armed
Forces is consistently projected through the electronic and the
print media. The Directorate of Public Relations of Ministry of
Defence, regularly interacts with the media persons while giving
defence related information and endeavors to ensure positive publicity
of the same. Regular coverage of defence related events in the
print and electronic media go a long way in creating awareness
amongst the masses and motivating the youth to join the armed
forces.
Besides this,
the training capacity of the Army has been increased resulting
in larger intake of about 400 officers per annum.
This information
was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written
reply to Dr. MVVS Murthi and Shri Ram Mohan Gadde in Lok Sabha
today.
