The military’s input to national security may be swayed by ideological winds if it loses its apolitical grounding. The government and military must thus maintain the status quo on civil–military relations.
When the army is called in aid of civil authority, robustaction taken by the army in a timely manner can prevent civil disturbance from exacting a strategic cost. The recent revelations on army inaction in the critical first 24 hours during the Gujarat carnage in 2002 are examined.
A close look at the Indian government's defence budget and related reports on military matters shows that while external security preparedness has slipped over the years, the Indian army has become one of the busiest peace time forces fighting its own people. This also impacts on the morale of the armed forces and creates opportunity for the emergence of particularist biases and prejudices within the forces. The changing geopolitical context of India's neighbourhood determines security perceptions and is a factor in deciding defence spending.
Ecological Task Forces of the Indian Army, which have made significant contributions to halting ecological degradations in several regions in the country were first set up in 1982. They probably represent the first such experiment anywhere in the world of the army taking up ecological work on a regular basis. A glimpse of the work of the Territorial Army's Eco Force in Rajasthan.
In Independent India, caste has been gaining influence in many fields of social activity. The part it has played in representative political institutions is now widely recognized. An attempt is made here to show how caste is extending its influence to the Indian Army organization.
