The Chief of Army Staff’s statement on Monday about the possibility of considering compulsory military service in the army reflects the increasing worry about the serious shortage of officers in the armed forces. But for a country like India compulsory military service does not make sense, considering that its male population in the required age group of 18-25 years is vast.

Compulsory service is a practice prevalent only in smaller countries like Switzerland, Singapore, Israel, Finland and Taiwan which are characterised by a relatively lower base of recruitable male populations. Unlike in Israel where even women are obliged to do compulsory military service owing to territorial security considerations, the security environment is not characterised by such high threat levels in India.

The army’s inability to attract an adequate number of young men to join its officer corps is only a symptom of the problem and therefore its causes need to be addressed to find an effective solution. A career in the army is not particularly well paid.  Besides, inadequate perks and hard service conditions act as disincentives for young men.

The military service is hazardous in nature where the risk of losing limb or life runs high as compared to other government jobs. But, unfortunately, since the armed services function under government control, the salaries of army officers are linked to the government pay scales of their civilian counterparts.

For the first five years, an army officer’s career involves participation in counter insurgency duties at hotspots in the Kashmir Valley or the northeastern region. Thereafter an army officer has to do two years of duty in field areas and peace stations alternately. Also, for a large number of officers, residential accommodation is a perk only on paper, while the harsh reality is that severe shortages lead to extended delays in allotment of apartments or houses. Another drawback is frequent transfers that disrupt family stability time and again.

Therefore to attract young men into the army some incentives are necessary like facilities to pursue higher studies after a minimum service period. The pay and perks have to be hiked substantially with an emphasis on residential accommodation. Lastly, the army should not be tasked extensively with counter-insurgency duties that are better left to the state armed police and central para-military personnel. When some of these steps are put in place, a career in the army is bound to attract young men to wear the uniform.