Cabinet nod to 1,896 more officer-level posts in Army

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New Delhi, Oct 3 : The Cabinet on Friday cleared the proposal to sanction an additional 1,896 officer-level posts for the armed forces aimed at reducing stagnation and improving the promotional opportunities in the middle and upper echelons of the military.

Popularly known as Phase-II of the Ajay Vikram Singh Committee Report (AVSC), the proposals approved would result in reduction in stagnation. The defence minister AK Antony had taken a personal interest in the implementation of the proposal and played a crucial role in it. The measures taken will also lead to progressive promotion of junior batches without adversely affecting promotional aspects of senior batches, thereby reducing the age profile of officers in select ranks.

“The upgradation will be carried out in the Army over a period of five years, in the Navy over the next ten years and in the Air Force over a period of five years,” the chief of the Indian air Force (IAF) Fali Major told mediapersons during a press conference on the eve of the IAF day early next week.

The total number of posts to be upgraded will be 1051 in the Army, 342 in the Navy and 503 in the IAF. Of the 1051 posts in the Army, 20 are at the level of Lieutenant General and equivalent, 75 at Major General and equivalent, 222 at Brigadier and equivalent, and 734 at Colonel and equivalent.

The corresponding figures in the Navy will be 4 at Vice Admiral and equivalent, 14 at Rear Admiral and equivalent, 324 at Commodore, Captain and equivalent. “In the Air Force upgradation will be effected for 6 post at Air Marshal and equivalent, 21 at Air Vice Marshal and equivalent, 61 at Air Commodore and equivalent, 415 at Group Captain and equivalent,”said the air force chief.

Already, the IAF has an existing strength of 22 Air Marshals, 47 Air Vice Marshals, 131 Air Commodores and 476 Group Captains serving at present.