Territorial Army marks 76th anniversary with wreath-laying ceremony at National War Memorial

Major General Sujeet Shivaji Patil, Officiating Director General Territorial Army, paid homage to the martyrs during a wreath-laying ceremony, organised at the National War memorial to mark the 76th Territorial Army Day.

In a post on X, ADGPI wrote, “On the occasion of 76th Territorial Army #TA Day, a wreath-laying ceremony was solemnised at the National War Memorial, #NWM, #NewDelhi. Major General Sujeet Shivaji Patil, Officiating Director General Territorial Army, along with serving personnel, veterans & #VeerNaris paid homage to the #Bravehearts on behalf of All Ranks of the Territorial Army.”

Advertisement

The Territorial Army functions as a reserve force that supports the regular Indian Army, with volunteers trained to respond during national emergencies and assist in internal security operations.

It may be noted that during Operation Sindoor, the Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi had the authority to mobilise the Territorial Army amid escalating tensions with Pakistan.

A notification issued on May 6 as per the Rule 33 of the Territorial Army Rules, 1948, the government of India has authorised the Army Chief to call every officer and enrolled personnel of the Territorial Army as needed, either for guard duties or for full embodiment to support and supplement the regular armed forces. At present, there are 32 Infantry Battalions of the Territorial Army.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Rule 33 of the Territorial Army Rule 1948, the Central Government empowers Chief of the Army Staff to exercise the powers under that rule to call out every officer and every enrolled person of the Territorial Army to provide for essential guard or to be embodied for the purpose of supporting or supplementing the regular army,” a circular issued by the Ministry of Defence had read.

Recently, Malayalam actor Mohanlal, who was conferred with the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army in May 2009, was conferred with the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card for his outstanding contribution to society and his continued association with the Armed Forces.

Other prominent personalities who are part of the TA include Bollywood actor Nana Patekar, Indian cricketers Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, Iconic Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra, and politicians Anurag Thakur and Sachin Pilot.