In a landmark decision set to redefine gender roles in the Indian armed forces, the Army is preparing to induct women as soldiers into its Territorial Army (TA) battalions for the first time. This strategic initiative marks a significant step towards creating greater opportunities for women within the military establishment.
A Section for Women in Home & Hearth Battalions
The Directorate General of Territorial Army recently released additional vacancies for the 2025-2026 period for its Infantry Battalions TA Home & Hearth (H&H). Sources confirm that within some of these battalions, a section-strength of vacancies has been specifically reserved for women candidates. A standard military section consists of approximately 10 soldiers.
Given that a typical TA H&H battalion has a strength ranging from 750 to 1,000 personnel, the integration of a women's section represents a modest but historic beginning. The plan is to start with a few battalions and eventually expand this inclusion to all 11 TA H&H battalions, with a vision to gradually increase the number of women soldiers over time.
The Strategic Role of Home & Hearth Battalions
The TA H&H battalions are a unique component of India's defence structure. Raised in 2004-05, eight of these units were established for Jammu and Kashmir and three for the North-East region. They are composed primarily of the local population and operate in the northern and eastern theatres, specializing in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
Their duties are multifaceted, extending beyond direct combat. These battalions provide crucial assistance to the regular Army and civil administration by engaging in intelligence gathering, road opening duties, and disaster relief during natural calamities.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Military Service
This decision shatters another significant barrier for women in the Indian Army. Presently, women are not permitted to join core combat arms like the Infantry, Armoured Corps, and Mechanised Infantry. While women officers serve in combat support arms such as the Corps of Engineers, Regiment of Artillery, and Corps of Signals, the Corps of Military Police remains the only wing that inducts women as soldiers until now.
The move to include women in the TA's infantry battalions is therefore a progressive leap. The Territorial Army itself is a citizen's army of volunteers who receive military training in their spare time and are mobilized during national emergencies and internal disturbances. Its current strength stands at around 50,000 personnel.
This development follows the activation of 14 out of 32 infantry battalions of the Territorial Army in May this year for deployment across the country until February 2028, underlining the TA's growing operational role. The induction of women soldiers into this vital force is a testament to the evolving and inclusive nature of India's defence services.
