‘Comprehensive’ promotion policy for ‘select ranks’ in Army kicks off on Jan 1

NEW DELHI: The Army has finalised a new promotion policy for its senior officers, with much greater stress being placed on meritocracy, physical fitness and reducing disparity among various arms and services, to ensure the 12-lakh strong force can effectively meet present and future operational challenges.
The “comprehensive” promotion policyfor the “select ranks” of Colonel, Brigadier, Major General and Lt-General will come into effect from January 1.”Though the existing promotion policy has stood the test of time, policies need to be dynamic to meet the ever-evolving operational requirements,” a top Army source said on Wednesday.
“The new policy will help in aligning leadership requirements to the present and emerging operational challenges, both in internal & external dimensions,” he added.
The Army has “combat arms” like infantry, armoured corps & mechanised infantry, “combat-support arms” like artillery, air defence, aviation, engineers and signals, and “services” like ASC (Army Service Corps), AOC (Army Ordnance Corps) and EME (Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers), among other wings. There are around 80 Lt-Generals, 300 Major Generals, 1,200 Brigadiers and 5,600 Colonels in the 43,000-strong officer cadre of the force.
In view of long-standing grouses like infantry officers hogging the promotions in senior ranks, the new policy will address “cadre aspirations” of all arms and services. “It will provide almost equitable satisfaction in promotion boards as well as strengthen meritocracy,” the source said.
The new policy will also ensure Major Generals of the “staff stream” are considered for promotion to Lt-Generals, though only for staff positions. At present, Major Generals from the “command and staff stream” are generally promoted to the next rank.
“Moreover, officers physically fit to serve in all terrains will get command appointments at the Colonel and Brigadier ranks. Battle casualties and those injured in operations, of course, will continue to get promotions like now,” the source said.
The new promotion policy comes after the Army in August adopted a common uniform for Brigadiers, Major Generals, Lt-Generals and the chief, irrespective of their parent cadre and appointments, by discarding distinctive regimental hats, shoulder rank badges, gorget patches, belts, lanyards and shoes for them.