The basic responsibility of the Indian Army (Bhartiya Thal Sena) is to safeguard the territorial integrity of the nation against external aggression. Due to the country’s long borders encompassing different geographical and climatic conditions such as desert terrain on the west, snow-covered mountains in the north and thick rainfed mountainous jungles in the east, the Army has to constantly prepare itself for diverse challenges. In addition, the Army is often required to assist the civil administration during internal security disturbances and in the maintenance of law and order, in organising relief operations during natural calamities like floods, earthquakes and cyclones and in the maintenance of essential services. Demands on the Army have increased manifold due to continuous deployment of its forces in intense counter insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir and the North East parts of the country. To achieve these objectives, the Army has to be constantly modernised, suitably structured, equipped and trained.

The Indian Army is organised into five regional commands

• HQ Central Command, Lucknow

• HQ Eastern Command, Calcutta

• HQ Northern Command, Udhampur

• HQ Western Command, Chandimandir

• HQ Southern Command, Pune

• Army Training Command, Shimla: This command is for the purpose of laying down the training policies for the Indian Army.

The Indian Army is divided into the following two broad operational categories:

Combat and Support Arms

• Indian Infantry Regiments
• Armoured Corps Regiments
• Regiment of Artillery
• Corps of Engineers
• Regiment of Air Defence Artillery
• Mechanised Infantry
• Corps of Signals
• Army Aviation Corps

Services

• Army Dental Corps
• Army Education Corps
• Army Medical Corps
• Army Ordnance Corps
• Army Postal Service Corps
• Army Service Corps
• Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
• Corps of Military Police
• Intelligence Corps
• Judge Advocate General's Deptt.
• Military Farms Service
• Military Nursing Service
• Remount and Veterinary Corps
• Pioneer Corps

  Quasi Army Arms

  These arms comprises a sizable number of Army personnel under deputation. The director generals for these arms reports to the Ministry of Home Affairs, rather than Ministry of Defence except for BRO where the DG reports to Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways.

  • Rashtriya Rifles
  • National Security Guards or NSG
  • National Cadet Corps or (NCC)
  • Assam Rifles
  • Border Roads Organisation