JAIPUR: Data by the ministry of defence (MoD) on representation of states in the armed forces showed that in 2020, Rajasthan had the third highest number of Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) along with Other Ranks (ORs) with 4,868 in Army which was topped by Uttar Pradesh which had 7,162 and Punjab with 5,821 of the same ranks.
In the same year, the state had 1,879 airmen in Indian Air Force which was topped only by Uttar Pradesh with 1,140 airmen though when it came to the number of sailors in the Indian Navy, Rajasthan was in the top five with 248 sailors in 2020. However, these figures dipped from 2018 to 2020 in Army and Navy though increased in IAF.
Elaborating on this trend, Col Amitabh Sharma, defence spokesperson, Rajasthan told TOI, “Rajasthan has rich heritage, tradition and history of being a martial state and defenders of the country. The same has continued post-independence too as Rajasthan is one of the major contributors towards India’s defence forces. The recruitment rallies from here always see a large turnout of aspirants.”
While Rajasthan is in top five for representation in the armed forces for all three services, the number has dipped from the previous years. In 2018, the state had 5,617 JCOs/ORs in Army, it increased to 5,569 in 2019, but decreased in the next year. Similarly, in navy, Rajasthan had 974 sailors in 2018 which decreased to 955 in 2019 and drastically came down to 248 in 2020.
“The factors accruing to low numbers as of now is due to pending written exam and the merit of two rallies held at Udaipur and Jaipur which got delayed owing to Covid-19 pandemic. Post the written examination the figures may go higher for 2020-2021 also,” added the official.
The IAF, on the other hand has seen a steady increase which is indicated by the fact that in 2018 there were 1,466 airmen which went up to 1,426 in 2019 and further spiked to 1,879 in 2020.
Shekhwati belt which includes Sikar and Jhunjhunu is famous for sending youth to the defence forces. Recently 37 women from Rajasthan also appeared for the recruitment rally which was held in Ambala for military police.
In the same year, the state had 1,879 airmen in Indian Air Force which was topped only by Uttar Pradesh with 1,140 airmen though when it came to the number of sailors in the Indian Navy, Rajasthan was in the top five with 248 sailors in 2020. However, these figures dipped from 2018 to 2020 in Army and Navy though increased in IAF.
Elaborating on this trend, Col Amitabh Sharma, defence spokesperson, Rajasthan told TOI, “Rajasthan has rich heritage, tradition and history of being a martial state and defenders of the country. The same has continued post-independence too as Rajasthan is one of the major contributors towards India’s defence forces. The recruitment rallies from here always see a large turnout of aspirants.”
While Rajasthan is in top five for representation in the armed forces for all three services, the number has dipped from the previous years. In 2018, the state had 5,617 JCOs/ORs in Army, it increased to 5,569 in 2019, but decreased in the next year. Similarly, in navy, Rajasthan had 974 sailors in 2018 which decreased to 955 in 2019 and drastically came down to 248 in 2020.
“The factors accruing to low numbers as of now is due to pending written exam and the merit of two rallies held at Udaipur and Jaipur which got delayed owing to Covid-19 pandemic. Post the written examination the figures may go higher for 2020-2021 also,” added the official.
The IAF, on the other hand has seen a steady increase which is indicated by the fact that in 2018 there were 1,466 airmen which went up to 1,426 in 2019 and further spiked to 1,879 in 2020.
Shekhwati belt which includes Sikar and Jhunjhunu is famous for sending youth to the defence forces. Recently 37 women from Rajasthan also appeared for the recruitment rally which was held in Ambala for military police.
