{
  "id": 251347,
  "title": "Territorial Army embodies the ‘citizen-soldier’, says Rajnath Singh",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/territorial-army-embodies-the-citizen-soldier-says-rajnath-singh",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-07T05:05:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/territorial-army-embodies-the-citizen-soldier-says-rajnath-singh/article71314018.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the Territorial Army as a vital component for bolstering the military during emergencies and participating in disaster relief, environmental conservation, and other nation-building activities during a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence on August 6, 2026. The Territorial Army, comprising around 44,400 personnel organized into 59 units, epitomizes the \"citizen-soldier\" concept, as volunteers maintain civilian careers while remaining available for military service when needed, the Ministry of Defence stated. Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Singh emphasized the force's role in augmenting the armed forces' capacities by providing surge capabilities through a pool of trained personnel who can be mobilized swiftly during crises. He highlighted the Territorial Army's significant contributions to relief and rescue operations during events such as the Kerala floods, Odisha cyclone, and Assam floods, as well as its involvement in environmental initiatives like planting nearly 10 crore saplings, which have achieved an 80%-85% survival rate, supporting the government's environmental goals. Additionally, the force played a crucial role in the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, extending its reach to remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Senior Defence Ministry officials briefed the committee on the Territorial Army's mandate, operational role, and achievements, while committee members suggested opportunities to strengthen the force and enhance its effectiveness, according to the Ministry.",
  "summary": "The Territorial Army provides surge military capacity and also helps in disaster relief, environmental conservation, and nation-building activities, Defence Minister says",
  "key_points": [
    "Territorial Army comprises 44,400 personnel in 59 units",
    "Described as \"citizen-soldier\" embodying military readiness",
    "Contributed to relief efforts in Kerala floods and Odisha cyclone"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The defence minister's endorsement of the Territorial Army underscores its growing importance as a supplementary force that bolsters national security while contributing to civilian welfare and environmental goals.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}