Armed Forces of India
Military manpower
Total armed forces	2,414,700 (Ranked 2nd)
Active troops	1,325,000 (Ranked 3rd)
Paramilitary forces	1,089,700 (Ranked 1st)
Conscription age	16 years of age
Availability	males age 15-49: 287,551,111 (2005 est.)
Fit for military service	males age 18-49: 219,471,999 (2005 est.)
Reaching conscription age annually	males: 11,446,452 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures
USD figure	16.97 billion US $ (2004 est.) [1]
Percent of GDP	2.5% (2004 est.) [2]
Military branches
	Indian Army
	Indian Navy
	Indian Air Force
	Indian Coast Guard
Military rank and insignia
Army ranks and insignia of India	Naval ranks and insignia of India
Air Force ranks and insignia of India

The Indian Armed Forces is India's primary defence organisation. The armed force consists of the Indian Army, Navy (including naval air arm), Air Force, the Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, Rashtriya Rifles, National Security Guards, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Special Frontier Force, Central Reserve Police Force, National Cadet Corps, Defense Security Corps, and the Strategic Forces Command. Th world's largest and most formidable paramilitary force, the Indian Paramilitary Forces, is also a part of the armed force. Image File history File links The Sarnath Lion is the Official Emblem of India derived from the time of the Emperor w:Ashoka. ... This is a list of countries ranked in order of active troops in each state. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Flag of the Indian Army File links The following pages link to this file: Indian Army ... The Indian Army (भारतीय सेना Hindi: Bhartiya Sena) is the land force of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting land-based warfare. ... Indian Navy File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The Indian Navy (भारतीय नौसेना in Hindi: Bharatiya Nau Sena) is the naval-arm of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting sea-based warfare. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The Indian Air Force (भारतीय वायु सेना : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting air-based warfare and securing Indian airspace. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Indian Coast Guards coat of Arms. ... The following graphs presents the officer ranks of the Indian army. ... The following graphs presents the officer ranks of the Indian navy. ... Components Indian Army Indian Air Force Indian Navy Indian Coast Guard Paramilitary Forces Strategic Nuclear Command History Military History of India British Indian Army Indian National Army Related Info Aircraft of the Indian Air Force Air Force ranks and insignia of India Army ranks and insignia of India List of... The armed forces of a state are its government sponsored defense and fighting forces and organizations. ... The Indian Army (भारतीय सेना Hindi: Bhartiya Sena) is the land force of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting land-based warfare. ... The Indian Navy (भारतीय नौसेना in Hindi: Bharatiya Nau Sena) is the naval-arm of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting sea-based warfare. ... The Indian Air Force (भारतीय वायु सेना : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting air-based warfare and securing Indian airspace. ... The Border Security Force (BSF), established on December 1, 1965, is responsible for guarding Indias land borders during peacetime and preventing trans-border crimes. ... Assam Rifles is an Indian paramilitary unit. ... Rashtriya Rifles- COIN operations India To reduce the commitment of Army on internal security duties, the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) has been at the forefront in counter-insurgency (CI) operations. ... National Security Guards (NSG), is a counter terrorism unit of India, raised by the Cabinet Secretariat under the National Security Guard Act of 1985. ... Tibet (older spelling Thibet; Tibetan: བོད་, Bod, pronounced pö in Lhasa dialect; Chinese: 西藏, pinyin: XÄ«zàng or 藏区 ZàngqÅ« [the two names are used with different connotations; see Names section below]) is a region in Central Asia and the home of the Tibetan people. ... On January 6, 2003, the Government of India announced the creation of a new Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) responsible for the management of India’s tactical and strategic nuclear weapons. ... A paramilitary organization is a group of civilians trained and organized in a military fashion. ... Components Indian Army Indian Air Force Indian Navy Indian Coast Guard Indian Paramilitary Forces Strategic Nuclear Command History Military History of India British Indian Army Indian National Army Related Info Aircraft of the Indian Air Force Air Force ranks and insignia of India Army ranks and insignia of India List...

The Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces is the President of India, currently Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam. President is a title held by many leaders of organizations, companies, universities, and countries. ... Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (Tamil ஏ. பி. ேஜ. அப்துல் கலாம்), born October 15, 1931, Tamil Nadu, India, usually referred to as Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, is the President of India. ...

The Indian Armed Forces is the second-most numerous military in the world, after the People’s Liberation Army. Over a million strong, the Indian Paramilitary Forces form the largest paramilitary force in the world. The Indian Army maintains the world's third largest active force. Components Indian Army Indian Air Force Indian Navy Indian Coast Guard Indian Paramilitary Forces Strategic Nuclear Command History Military History of India British Indian Army Indian National Army Related Info Aircraft of the Indian Air Force Air Force ranks and insignia of India Army ranks and insignia of India List... A paramilitary organization is a group of civilians trained and organized in a military fashion. ... The Indian Army (भारतीय सेना Hindi: Bhartiya Sena) is the land force of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting land-based warfare. ... This is a list of countries ranked in order of active troops in each state. ...

Since its formation, the military has fought in both World Wars. Post-independence, it has fought three wars against Pakistan and a war with China. India also fought an extended border skirmish with Pakistan in 1999. A world war is a military conflict affecting the majority of the worlds major nations. ... Since both nations achieved independence in August 1947, there have been three major wars and one minor war between India and Pakistan. ... The Sino-Indian war was a short border war between India and the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), the worlds two most populous countries, which took place in late 1962. ... Combatants India Pakistan Commanders Strength Casualties 533 4000+ The Kargil War, also known as the Kargil conflict, was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan between April and June 1999 in Kashmir. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ...

The Indian military possesses nuclear weapons and sufficient means — a range of missiles and aircraft — to deliver these over considerably long distances. However, India has a nuclear no-first-use policy and maintains a nuclear doctrine based on credible minimum deterrence. India is not a part of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, citing concerns that it unfairly favours the established nuclear powers, and provides no provision for complete nuclear disarmament. Indian officials argued that India's refusal to sign the treaty stemmed from its fundamentally discriminatory character; the treaty places restrictions on the nonnuclear weapons states but does little to curb the modernization and expansion of the nuclear arsenals of the nuclear weapons states.

The Indian armed forces are a volunteer only service; the military draft has never been imposed in India.

Military branches of India

• Indian Army
• Indian Air Force
• Indian Navy
• Indian Paramilitary Forces

• Indian Coast Guard
• Border Security Force
• National Security Guards

• Strategic Nuclear Command

The highest wartime gallantry Award given by the Military of India is the Param Vir Chakra. Its peacetime equivalent is the Ashoka Chakra. The highest decoration for meritorious service is the Param Vishisht Seva Medal. The Indian Army (भारतीय सेना Hindi: Bhartiya Sena) is the land force of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting land-based warfare. ... The Indian Air Force (भारतीय वायु सेना : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting air-based warfare and securing Indian airspace. ... The Indian Navy (भारतीय नौसेना in Hindi: Bharatiya Nau Sena) is the naval-arm of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting sea-based warfare. ... Components Indian Army Indian Air Force Indian Navy Indian Coast Guard Indian Paramilitary Forces Strategic Nuclear Command History Military History of India British Indian Army Indian National Army Related Info Aircraft of the Indian Air Force Air Force ranks and insignia of India Army ranks and insignia of India List... Indian Coast Guards coat of Arms. ... The Border Security Force (BSF), established on December 1, 1965, is responsible for guarding Indias land borders during peacetime and preventing trans-border crimes. ... National Security Guards (NSG), is a counter terrorism unit of India, raised by the Cabinet Secretariat under the National Security Guard Act of 1985. ... The Strategic Nuclear Command, or the Strategic Forces Command, forms part of Indias Nuclear Command Authority (NCA; formed on 6 January 2003) responsible for the management of the countrys tactical and strategic nuclear weapons. ... The Param Vir Chakra is an Indian military decoration given for valour in combat operations. ... The Ashoka Chakra (Pronunced as Ashok Chakra, not Ashokaa Chakraa) is an ancient Indian depiction of the Wheel of Life and Cosmic Order (Sanskrit: Chakra, wheel. ...

See also

Military branches

Republic Day Parade
New Delhi, 2004

• Indian Army
• Indian Air Force
• Indian Navy
• Indian Coast Guard
• Border Security Force
• Strategic Nuclear Command

Republic Day Military Parade, New Delhi. ... Image File history File links IAF Jaguars at the Republic Day Military Parade, New Delhi. ... Republic Day Military Parade, New Delhi. ... The Indian Army (भारतीय सेना Hindi: Bhartiya Sena) is the land force of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting land-based warfare. ... The Indian Air Force (भारतीय वायु सेना : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting air-based warfare and securing Indian airspace. ... The Indian Navy (भारतीय नौसेना in Hindi: Bharatiya Nau Sena) is the naval-arm of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting sea-based warfare. ... Indian Coast Guards coat of Arms. ... The Border Security Force (BSF), established on December 1, 1965, is responsible for guarding Indias land borders during peacetime and preventing trans-border crimes. ... The Strategic Nuclear Command, or the Strategic Forces Command, forms part of Indias Nuclear Command Authority (NCA; formed on 6 January 2003) responsible for the management of the countrys tactical and strategic nuclear weapons. ...

Military academies in India

• Military academies in India
• National Defence Academy (India)
• Indian military academy

The Indian military services have established numerous and distinguished academies and staff colleges across India for the purpose of training professional soldiers in new generation military sciences, warfare command and strategy, and associated technologies. ... The National Defence Academy of India is the premier national institute of military sciences, and fundamental training college for all prospective officers of the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Related articles

• Indian Paramilitary Forces
• Army ranks and insignia of India
• Military History of India

Components Indian Army Indian Air Force Indian Navy Indian Coast Guard Indian Paramilitary Forces Strategic Nuclear Command History Military History of India British Indian Army Indian National Army Related Info Aircraft of the Indian Air Force Air Force ranks and insignia of India Army ranks and insignia of India List... The following graphs presents the officer ranks of the Indian army. ... Components Indian Army Indian Air Force Indian Navy Indian Coast Guard Indian Paramilitary Forces Strategic Nuclear Command History Military History of India British Indian Army Indian National Army Related Info Aircraft of the Indian Air Force Air Force ranks and insignia of India Army ranks and insignia of India List...

Pre-independence

• British Indian Army
• Indian National Army
• Army of India
• Sepoy
• List of Indian divisions in WWII

The Indian Army in the time of the British Raj (1857–1947) See Indian Army for the post-independence (and post-partition) army of the Republic of India. ... The Indian National Army or Azad Hind Fauj was an auxiliary force to the Imperial Japanese Army in its southern mainland campaign during the Second World War. ... Army of India consisted of both the Indian Army and the British Army in India between 1903 and 1947. ... A sepoy (from Persian سپاهی Sepâhi meaning soldier) was a native of India employed as a soldier in the service of a European power, usually of the United Kingdom. ... This is a list of Indian divisions in WWII. Indian 3rd Infantry Division (Chindits) Indian 4th Infantry Division Indian 5th Infantry Division Indian 6th Infantry Division Indian 7th Infantry Division Indian 8th Infantry Division Indian 9th Infantry Division Indian 10th Infantry Division Indian 11th Infantry Division Indian 14th Infantry Division...

Post-independence

• India and weapons of mass destruction
• Indo-Pakistani Wars
• Sino-Indian War
• Indian Peace Keeping Force
• Integrated Guided Missile Development Program

// The Beginning As early as June 26, 1946, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indias soon to be Prime Minister announced As long as the world is constituted as it is, every country will have to devise and use the latest devices for its protection. ... Since both nations achieved independence in August 1947, there have been three major wars and one minor war between India and Pakistan. ... The Sino-Indian war was a short border war between India and the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), the worlds two most populous countries, which took place in late 1962. ... Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), was the Indian military contingent performing a peacekeeping operation that was formed to oversee the peace accord signed between India and Sri Lanka in 1987, trying to solve the ethnic conflict between Tamils and Sinhalese in Sri Lanka. ... IGMDP or Integrated Guided Missile Development Program was initiated by India for developing a range of Missiles, including Missiles of IR; Agni missile Ballistic Missile (Surface to Surface), SR; Prithvi missile Ballistic Missile (Surface to Surface), Akash missile (Surface to Air), Trishul missile (Surface to Air) and Nag Missile (Anti...

References

• CIA World Factbook 2005: India
• Militarism in India: The Army and Civil Society in Consensus- by A. Kundu

External links

• India Defence- Defence, Military & Strategic Affairs Portal
• BharatRakshak.com- Informative site on the Indian Military
• Indian Armed Forces - Indian military's official website