What is Indian Army’s new promotion policy?

The Indian Army has reportedly come up with a new promotion policy for its senior officers. With this, the armed force aims to align its human resource policies with the ever-developing operational requirements. The comprehensive promotion policy for the “select ranks” of Colonel, Brigadier, Major General and Lieutenant General is set to be implemented from 1 January next year, according to The Tribune report. What is the Army’s new promotion and ranking policy? Let’s take a closer look. Army’s promotion policy The new policy is expected to lay down the operational requirements of the force and bring uniformity in the selection and ranking process of the ranks of colonels and above. It also seeks to address the “cadre aspirations” of all arms and services, bolster meritocracy and ensure the 12-lakh strong force can meet the present and future operational challenges. “The new policy will help in aligning leadership requirements to the present and emerging operational challenges, both in internal and external dimensions,” a top Army source was quoted as saying by Times of India (TOI). [caption id=“attachment_13477112” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] The new policy seeks to help the 12-lakh strong force can meet the present and future operational challenges. AP (Representational Image)[/caption] An official said that the new policy would bring equitable opportunities in promotion boards. It will also define the criteria for selecting officers for ‘staff stream’ and ‘operational stream’. “The new policy provides for increased promotional opportunities and addresses the aspirations of senior leadership by providing further promotional opportunities to officers in Major General rank, officers approved in staff only, would be eligible for promotion to the next rank in staff only,” the Army officials said, as per Moneycontrol. ALSO READ: Why navy may soon have Indianised, gender-neutral ranks What does the policy entail? The new policy provides for more promotion opportunities at the level of Major General. The officers in Major General rank approved in ‘staff stream’ will be eligible for promotion to the next rank in the same stream, as per The Tribune. Currently, Major Generals from the “command and staff stream” are usually promoted to the next rank, noted TOI. The guidelines will also underscore fitness parameters for each senior rank. “Moreover, officers physically fit to serve in all terrains will get command appointments at the Colonel and Brigadier ranks. Battle casualties and those injured in operations, of course, will continue to get promotions like now,” the Army source told TOI. According to an ANI report, the present HR management of the Army is based on various policies and provisions that do not apply uniformly to different selection boards. The new policy will help to overcome this issue. Speaking to TOI about the existing policy, the top Army source said, “Though the existing promotion policy has stood the test of time, policies need to be dynamic to meet the ever-evolving operational requirements”. The finalisation of the new policy comes months after the Army adopted a common uniform for Brigadiers, Major Generals, Lt Generals and the chief, irrespective of their parent cadres and appointments. The Army bid adieu to headgear, shoulder rank badges, gorget patches, belts and shoes of senior officers of flag rank (Brigadier and above) to endorse and strengthen “a common identity and approach in service matters among the force’s senior leadership”, according to Indian Express. SC’s direction to Indian Army The Supreme Court has given four months to the Army to frame a policy regarding the promotion of women officers from the rank of colonel to brigadier. In a hearing on Monday (4 December), Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said, “We will give you [Army] time for bringing the policy. We would expect the formulation of policy by 31 March, 2024.” A bench comprising the CJI and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra were hearing a bunch of applications filed by some women officers in the Army seeking promotion who had alleged discrimination in elevation from the rank of colonel to brigadier. Attorney General for India R Venkataramani told the bench that discussions are underway at the Army Headquarters to formulate an appropriate policy, reported LiveLaw.  The top court has previously called the armed force’s approach to women officers’ promotion “discriminatory”. With inputs from agencies