The Dark Side of the Indian Army
The Indian Army, long celebrated as one of the largest and most respected military forces in the world, harbors a grim reality beneath its surface of discipline and patriotism. While the institution portrays strength and honor, its rank-and-file soldiers and junior officers often suffer in silence under systemic dysfunction, poor human resource management, and exploitative practices that deeply undermine their morale and well-being.
At the core of the Army’s internal decay lies an archaic and rigid command structure that severely limits the ability of soldiers to voice grievances. Those at the lower echelons, particularly junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and enlisted personnel, are often silenced by a top-down hierarchy that fosters fear rather than respect. This system discourages transparency and accountability, allowing favoritism and political interference to thrive. Promotions often favor those with connections over competence, exacerbating resentment among genuinely capable officers and weakening the overall operational effectiveness of the force.
Basic living conditions reflect this neglect. Many soldiers endure cold, inadequate meals, especially those working late or on odd shifts. Fresh food is a rarity, and poor nutrition is compounded by the squalid, overcrowded barracks they are forced to live in. Sanitation is subpar, privacy is nonexistent, and the constant overwork leads to chronic exhaustion. Mental health issues among soldiers have become alarmingly common, as overburdened and undervalued troops wrestle with unending stress and emotional strain.
Adding to this psychological toll is the indignity of being ordered to perform menial and degrading tasks for their superiors. It is not uncommon for soldiers to be reduced to cooks, cleaners, or personal assistants for officers and their families. Any attempt to refuse such duties often results in punitive measures. This abuse deepens the already vast chasm between officers and soldiers, corroding unit cohesion and jeopardizing the collective spirit needed in combat situations.
Compounding the emotional strain are rising cases of legal and marital distress among personnel. Domestic disputes, dowry cases, and extramarital affairs are becoming more prevalent, often manipulated by senior officers to control or silence subordinates. The personal lives of soldiers, already strained by long separations from family, are further destabilized by these manipulative tactics, leaving many in a state of emotional ruin.
Once recruited, many soldiers find themselves unable to resign or exit the service due to bureaucratic entanglements and institutional resistance. This creates a prison-like environment where soldiers are forced to serve under conditions that deny them dignity or personal growth. The system, in many ways, remains a relic of colonial control—designed more to dominate than to empower its personnel.
Perhaps most damning is the alarming rise in suicides and non-combat deaths within the Indian Army. More than 100 soldiers reportedly die each year from non-combat-related causes, including suicide, which is indicative of a failed support structure. These are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a broader collapse in leadership and mental health management within the armed forces.
The Army’s involvement in areas like Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the Naxalite belt, and United Nations peacekeeping missions has also attracted serious allegations of human rights violations. Reports of extrajudicial killings, custodial torture, and sexual harassment paint a grim picture of impunity and lawlessness. These abuses are not only morally reprehensible but also erode the Army’s credibility on the global stage.
Within the military itself, sexual harassment cases are on the rise, with several senior officers—including Major General R.S. Jaswal—facing serious accusations. Similar scandals have emerged within the Assam Rifles and other paramilitary units, pointing to a culture of silence and systemic denial that protects perpetrators rather than victims.
Operational zones—whether border regions or insurgency-affected interiors—offer no reprieve. Basic amenities are often lacking, logistical failures are rampant, and the standard of rations is appallingly low. Soldiers deployed in such harsh conditions endure relentless psychological pressure, limited contact with loved ones, and insufficient mental health support, leading to declining morale and operational inefficiency.
The erosion of morale is perhaps the most dangerous aspect of this institutional failure. Corruption, declining professionalism, and open disrespect toward uniformed civilians (UCs) have transformed the Army into a shadow of its former self. Leadership, once a source of inspiration, is now marred by self-indulgence and bribery, while the rank-and-file is left to fend for itself amid degrading conditions.
Internal rivalries, lack of coordination in joint operations, and the politicization of leadership appointments further fracture the Army’s unity. In times of war, such divisions could prove catastrophic. The growing officer-soldier divide, if unaddressed, threatens to cripple the very foundation of India’s military might.
Ultimately, the Indian Army is at a crossroads. The image it projects is increasingly at odds with the lived reality of its soldiers. Without urgent reforms that prioritize human dignity, transparency, and leadership accountability, the Army risks institutional collapse from within. For a force meant to protect the nation, failing its own people is the most grievous betrayal.
