Army readies promotion proposal

In a step that will benefit its largest chunk of manpower, the Indian army has finalised a proposal for assured time-bound promotion of all soldiers to the rank of havildar. The proposal, finalised at the army commander8217;s conference that concluded today, seeks changes in the promotion process of Non Commissioned Officers NCO to ensure that each soldier attains the minimum rank of havildar after putting in 18 years.

The proposal, which will now be forwarded for approval to the Ministry of Defence MoD, has been mooted to draw better talent by 8220;assured progression in career8221;. Soldiers, joining the army at the lowest level as sepoys, can currently rise only to the rank of naik if they are overlooked for promotion by the selection process.

Under the new proposal, all soldiers will be promoted to the rank of naik within six to eight years of service. They will then be put up through the selection process for promotion to havildar after completing 12-13 years. Naiks who fail to clear the selection process will be made time scale havildars after putting in 17-18 years of service. These NCO8217;s will eventually retire after a total service of 20 years.