By Admin 
Indian Army Reservation: Indian Army is one of the few institutions in the country where recruitment is done without any caste or religion based reservation. Here the selection is completely based on merit, physical fitness, mental strength and discipline. This policy has not been changed since independence and is often cited as one of the major reasons behind the army’s professionalism and operational effectiveness.
Historic decision taken in 1949
After independence, in 1949, a proposal was made to the army leadership to introduce reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in military recruitment. This proposal was made by Field Marshal K.M., the first Indian Commander in Chief of independent India. Cariappa had rejected. He believed that there could be no relaxation in army standards. He said that introducing reservation could compromise war preparations and weaken the force’s fighting ability.
What were the main principles
The main reason for the absence of reservation in the army is the nature of war. Survival on the battlefield depends on physical stamina and quick decision making as well as courage and leadership under pressure. Unlike the civil services, the military cannot compensate for weaknesses through administrative adjustments. Every soldier will have to meet the same operational standards because there is no margin for error in war. This is why ability, fitness and training are the main principles of selection.
idea of a homogeneous force
The Indian Army operates as a single, united force. Here soldiers fight not as members of any caste, community or region but as representatives of the country. Introducing caste-based reservation may create division within the unit. Because of this, morale and discipline may be affected.
recent changes
Although there was never caste-based reservation in the Army, a form of gender-based seat allocation existed in some branches. In August 2025, the Supreme Court abolished the separate 6:3 seat ratio for men and women in the Judge Advocate General branch. The court ruled that recruitment should be done through a single joint merit list.
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