Now the evaluation process of Lieutenant Generals will be based on merit.

The Indian Army has changed its promotion process and implemented a new system for Lieutenant Generals. Now promotion and selection of these officers will be on the basis of merit. This new system will be effective from March 31 and aims to promote a merit-based system within the Army.

The new system will be used to select lieutenant generals serving in integrated theater commands. This policy will be applicable under the revised Annual Confidential Report (ACR) form. However, this change will not apply to the Army’s six operational commands, one training command, and the post of Vice Chief.

What is the new system?

According to a Times of India report, earlier there was no ACR system for lieutenant generals. Now they will be rated on various qualities on a scale from 1 to 9.

• Promotion will not depend only on seniority but on the basis of performance.
• This system will help the Indian Army to match the similar evaluation system of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy.
• Keeping in mind the needs of theater commands, a similar assessment process has been implemented for top posts of the three services.

On which posts will this policy not be applicable?

• This policy will not be applicable for the posts of Vice Chief of the Army and seven Commander-in-Chiefs.
• As per the current system, promotion to these posts is still based on seniority, date of birth, and posts available.

Current structure in the army

In Indian Army:

• There are approximately 11 lakh soldiers.
• More than 90 Lieutenant Generals,
• 300 Major Generals, and
• 1,200 brigadiers are employed.

Of these, the post of Lieutenant General holds an important position in the top leadership structure of the Army as a three-star general.

Concerns about the new policy

Although the objective of this change is to promote merit-based promotion, there is disagreement among officials regarding this.

• A senior official said,
  “To reach a three-star general, merit is already taken into account. There was a tradition of seniority in top positions such as Commander-in-Chief. Adding merit now may increase the possibility of political or other types of interference.”

Theater commands and impact on national security

This change is being implemented at a time when India is working on a strategy of three theater commands for China, Pakistan, and the Indian Ocean region. The blueprint for these theater commands has been finalized.
The new policy is expected to help the Army develop more effective and transparent leadership under a unified command structure.