UT Admn told to pay Rs 50 lakh relief, amount to be recovered from accused

Satya Prakash Tribune News Service

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered a CBI probe into alleged illegal detention and custodial torture leading to “complete castration” of a constable by the Jammu and Kashmir Police at the Joint Interrogation Centre in Kupwara in February 2023.

A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta, which directed the CBI to register a case within seven days, also directed the CBI Director to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) headed by an officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police to investigate the matter.

“The police officials found responsible for the custodial torture shall be arrested forthwith and not later than a period of one month from today. The investigation shall be completed within 90 days of the registration of the FIR,” it ordered.

“The entire material collected during the inquiry conducted so far, including related documents, medical records, CCTV footage, forensic evidence and case diary, shall be immediately handed over to the competent officer of the CBI,” the Bench ordered.

Allowing constable Khursheed Ahmad Chohan’s appeal against the September 18, 2023, judgment, the top court also ordered the UT Administration to pay Rs 50 lakh as compensation to him “in order to provide some solace to the victim and his family for the barbaric acts of custodial torture leading to complete castration…” It listed the matter again on November 17, 2025, for receiving a status report.

Writing the judgment for the Bench, Justice Mehta directed that “the said amount shall be recoverable from the officer(s) concerned against whom a departmental proceeding shall be initiated upon conclusion of the investigation by the CBI. The CBI shall submit its status report to this court by November 10.”

“Considering the gravity and magnitude of the custodial torture established through medical records and the institutional apathy that followed, we are of the considered opinion that this is a fit case for awarding compensation to the victim of the violence, i.e., the appellant herein. The violation of Article 21 is not only evident but egregious. The appellant, a police constable himself, suffered life-debilitating injuries while in the custody of fellow state actors, and despite repeated complaints, no effective redress was provided,” it noted.

“The CBI shall also conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the systemic issues at the Joint Interrogation Centre, Kupwara, including examination of all CCTV systems, interrogation from all personnel present during the relevant period, forensic examination of the premises and review of all protocols and procedures followed for detention and interrogation of suspects,” the Bench ordered.

Chohan alleged that he was illegally detained and tortured after being summoned for a narcotics inquiry in February 2023. His wife’s attempts to register an FIR for custodial torture didn’t fructify while the police registered a case against him for an alleged suicide attempt. The high court refused to quash the FIR, forcing him to move the top court.

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Northern Command, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, on Wednesday reviewed the security environment and ongoing counter-terrorist operations in the Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts of the Jammu region.

A gunfight had taken place between security forces and terrorists on July 20 in the Hadal Gal forest area of Kishtwar. However, the militants managed to flee, prompting security forces to lay a cordon in the surrounding forest areas.

Accompanied by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the White Knight Corps, Lieutenant General PK Mishra, the Army Commander visited the Delta Force headquarters in Batote and was briefed on ‘Operation Shiva’, which focuses on ensuring the safety and security of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a post on X, the Northern Command stated, “Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Army Commander of Northern Command, reviewed the security milieu and ongoing counter-terrorist operations in the Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar regions conducted by the formation. He also received an update on Operation Shiva in the region. The Army Commander emphasised to maintain the proactive posture steeped in cutting-edge technology. He complimented all ranks for their commitment to sustained counter-terrorism efforts and regional security.”

Meanwhile, ahead of the upcoming Budha Amarnath Yatra, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat undertook a two-day visit to Poonch to review and assess the on-ground security arrangements for the smooth and safe conduct of the Yatra.

He was accompanied by Special DGP (Coordination) J&K, SJM Gillani, IGP Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti, and DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range Tejinder Singh. The delegation was received by Poonch SSP Shafket Hussain, along with officers from the district police, CRPF, Army and civil administration.

During the visit, officials provided a comprehensive briefing on the overall security plan, which includes multi-tier deployment, area domination strategies, mapping of sensitive locations, vulnerability assessments, traffic regulation, convoy coordination, communication, surveillance mechanisms and pilgrim facilities at base camps and halting stations.

“The DGP and other senior officers inspected critical points along the yatra route and around the shrine, taking note of access control, crowd management protocols and emergency response systems. He interacted with officials and jawans deployed in the field, urging them to maintain the highest levels of vigilance, professionalism and a people-friendly approach throughout the yatra period,” an official spokesperson said.

The DGP also met with members of the local shrine board, civil society and volunteers, acknowledging their role in promoting communal harmony and public cooperation—elements he termed essential to the success of large-scale religious events.

Special attention was paid to medical, logistical and disaster management preparedness, including the availability of ambulances, mobile health units and emergency response teams.

Arjun Sharma Our Correspondent

With torrential rains lashing the Jammu region for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, two workers lost their lives when a landslide struck their tent in the Badera area of Mahore in Reasi district early this morning.

The incident occurred near a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva in the mountainous Badora belt of Mahore tehsil, officials said. The two victims, who had been deployed to maintain the track leading to the shrine, were asleep in the tent when the landslide hit.

The deceased were identified as Ravi Kumar (23), a resident of Udhampur, and Rashpal Singh (26), a resident of Reasi. Five other workers were rescued by police and administrative officials.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, leading to its closure for over four hours. Many Amarnath pilgrims were stranded due to the disruption. The highway was partially restored by 3 pm, with repair and clearance work continuing into the evening.

A traffic police official said the highway had been shut due to flooding and mudslides near the T2 tunnel and Seri in Ramban district. An official added that many private vehicles, as well as two convoys carrying Amarnath pilgrims returning from Kashmir, were stranded at various locations along the route.

Elsewhere, the mountainous Kishtwar–Sinthan road was also blocked due to flash floods at Sinthan Nallah in Kishtwar district. Reports of landslides and road blockages also came in from several link roads in the hilly districts of Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Udhampur, Doda and Ramban. Authorities said efforts were underway to clear and reopen all affected roads.

The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has issued a red alert for heavy rain in the districts of Anantnag, Doda, Kulgam, Ramban, Reasi and Udhampur. The advisory warns of intense showers likely to cause flash floods, landslides, and shooting stones in vulnerable areas.

In light of the deteriorating weather conditions, authorities on Tuesday set up 24×7 control rooms at nearly all district headquarters across the Jammu division. Officials said District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) have been directed to take all necessary precautions and follow established protocols to ensure public safety and mitigate potential risks.

A nine-year-old boy was rescued on Wednesday in a joint operation by Army, SDRF and police after he got trapped in a river following flash floods in Rajouri, officials said. After receiving information, the Army, SDRF, police, and local divers conducted a coordinated rescue operation to save the boy trapped amid the rising waters of a flooded river in Rajouri, they said. The Army used a chopper to rescue the boy, they said, adding that it took three hours to carry out the joint operation. The child was grazing his cattle when heavy flash floods occurred and he got trapped in the middle of the river, they said.  

Boy trapped in river after flash flood in Rajouri rescued

Five of them were neutralised using technical counter measures in the Modhe village at Amritsar border alone

PK JaiswarTribune News Service

The Border Security Force shot down as many as six drones carrying drugs and weapons being smuggled from across the international border in multiple incidents in Amritsar last night. It has recovered as many as four pistols and over 1 kg of contraband attached with these flying machines.

Five of them were neutralised using technical counter measures in the Modhe village at Amritsar border alone.

“On Wednesday night, the alert troops intercepted and neutralised five China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic drones carrying four packets containing three pistols, three magazines and 1.07 kg of heroin. The seizure was made from Modhe village,” said BSF spokesman on Wednesday.

Similarly, the BSF, in joint operation with Punjab Police, recovered parts of pistols including upper slide and a magazine from irrigated paddy fields in Dal village in Tarn Taran district.

In another incident, BSF jawans observed drone movements in Attari village. Following this, a drone DJI Mavic 3 classic was intercepted and neutralised with the help of anti-drone systems deployed on the Amritsar border. It was carrying a pistol and two magazines which were recovered from an agricultural field adjacent to Attari village.

Notably, on the intervening night of July 17 and July 18 also, the BSF had foiled multiple drone sorties, shooting down six drones leading to the recovery of 2.34 kg of heroin. The drones were recovered from Pul Moran and Roranwala Khurd village at that time.

The instances of intrusions of unmanned aerial vehicles carrying drugs and arms at the Indo-Pak border have continued unabated.

Preparing for the future means thinking beyond the victories of Operation Sindoor

Lt Gen DS Hooda (Retd)

IT’s now over two months since Operation Sindoor, and with the media frenzy having subsided, a dispassionate assessment can be made of some of the key military issues surrounding the operation. One of these issues is the description of the conflict as South Asia’s first drone war. Senior Indian military officers have spoken about the revolutionary employment of drones during the operation and the effectiveness of India’s counter-drone systems.

Drones have undoubtedly become central to modern conflict, and India’s successful defence against Pakistani intrusions has been justifiably praised. Yet a closer analysis of drone employment during the operation shows that drone warfare in both countries is still at a nascent stage. This is borne out by how the two countries utilised drones during the operation.

On the night of May 7-8, a day after India launched strikes on nine terrorist camps, Pakistan retaliated with drone activity, targeting Indian military bases at 15 locations across Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. The following night saw further intrusions at 36 locations, stretching from Leh to Sir Creek, with an estimated 300 to 400 drones. According to official briefings, the aim of these incursions was likely to test Indian air defence systems and gather intelligence.

On the night of May 9-10, drone activity was reported at 26 locations, spanning from Srinagar to Naliya. Most of these drones were successfully neutralised, though limited damage was sustained at Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur and Bhuj.

According to media reports, most of the drones employed by Pakistan were unarmed. A few specialised military drones, such as Turkey’s Asisguard Songar and the Yiha-III loitering munition, were used. The Songar has a range of about 10 km and can be equipped with a light armament, such as a gun or grenade launcher. The Yiha-III is designed for precision strikes against high-value targets, but it remains a low-end capability compared to more sophisticated systems.

Indian drone strikes, though fewer in number, were more targeted and precise. These employed loitering munitions such as the Harpy and Harop. The Harpy is an anti-radiation drone designed to destroy enemy radar systems, while the Harop has electro-optical sensors and can engage a broader range of targets. Polish Warmate and the indigenously developed Nagastra-1 loitering munitions were also employed.

It is likely that some of the Indian strikes on terrorist camps on May 7 were carried out by drones, though this has not been officially confirmed. What has been revealed through press briefings is that on May 8, Indian drones targeted air defence radars and systems at multiple locations inside Pakistan, destroying one radar in Lahore. On May 9, four more air defence sites were targeted, with at least one additional radar destroyed.

On May 10, the Indian Air Force launched devastating airstrikes on Pakistani airbases, command centres and military infrastructure using long-range standoff weapons such as the BrahMos and SCALP cruise missiles, and air-to-ground munitions like the Crystal Maze and Rampage. These strikes were preceded by decoy drones and Harops designed to degrade Pakistani air defence systems.

On the counter-drone front, Pakistan claimed to have downed at least 48 Indian drones. The Indian counter-drone effort was commendable as it neutralised almost all Pakistani drone attacks. At the forefront were air defence guns like the L-70, ZU-23 and Shilka. India also has an indigenous Drone Detection and Interdiction System that would have played an important part in neutralising hostile drones.

India did come out on top in the brief drone war, but there are some important lessons. The reason drones are having such a significant impact on the battlefield is due to their affordability and ubiquity. Thousands of $500 drones in the hands of soldiers make aerial surveillance, precision strikes and real-time intelligence accessible to even small infantry units. Low-cost drones also permit strategic reach, as seen in Ukraine’s deep strikes into Russia.

It is not the technology, but the scale of drone warfare that is redefining warfighting. Both Ukraine and Russia are estimated to have between one and two million drones in their military inventory. It is the mass usage that is the fundamental characteristic of drone warfare, and this has sparked innovation in tactics and battlefield adaptation.

One might argue that a four-day conflict between India and Pakistan cannot be compared to the Ukraine war. There is merit in this argument, but then we should also not conclude that the Sindoor experience offers a reliable blueprint for future conflicts involving drones. In fact, it highlights several areas that must be addressed.

Indian drone strikes were precise but primarily carried out by specialised drones. Such drones are highly expensive; each Harop drone costs approximately $700,000. What is required is a massive infusion of low-cost drones, particularly in the Army. Units at the tactical level must then devise practical doctrines and battlefield tactics for their effective employment.

India must also indigenously develop medium and long-range strike drones. Ukraine has developed a series of drones with ranges of up to 1,000 km, which transitioned from concept to combat use in around six months. While this wartime mobilisation is not replicable in India, drone development timelines must be drastically shortened through mission-mode programmes and agile public-private partnerships.

The military must also not rest on its laurels of having countered Pakistani drones. With few exceptions, the drones were mostly unarmed and posed little direct threat. An effective counter-drone system must address both tactical and operational levels. Frontline troops must be equipped with portable jammers and rifle-mounted AI-assisted sights. At the operational level, the most effective architectures integrate long-range detection by radar and other sensors, mid-range disruption through jamming or spoofing, and close-in destruction by kinetic means. We may also need to examine new organisational structures that integrate radars, guns and Electronic Warfare resources.

Preparing for the future means thinking beyond the victories of Operation Sindoor. It requires scaling up the employment of drones, rewriting doctrine and integrating drone defences into every level of the battlefield. The real drone war is yet to come.

Lt Gen DS Hooda (retd) is former northern army commander.

Turbaned Tornado’ Fauja Singh cremated with state honours

Trump claims five jets downed in India-Pak clash, kicks up storm

Monsoon session: Opposition raises Pahalgam attack, Trump’s remarks, SIR in Bihar at all-party meet

Indian Army Makes Psychological Test Mandatory For Agniveer Recruits

India’s Akash-Prime Air Defence System: India’s Strategic Revolution Under ₹500 Crore

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CDS visits Defence Services Staff College, Wellington

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The Fauja Way

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According to his family, Singh had expressed a wish for his final rites to be conducted in his native Beas village in Jalandhar

ast rites of veteran marathon runner Fauja Singh are being performed with state honours at the cremation ground of his native Beas village in Jalandhar district.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Governor Gulab Chand Kataria are among those who have gathered to pay respects to the departed soul.

According to his family, Singh had expressed a wish for his final rites to be conducted in his native village.

Marathon runner Fauja Singh died in a road accident in Jalandhar district. He was 114. He was hit by an unidentified vehicle around 3.30 pm while he was crossing the road at his native Beas village near Adampur.

His family said he was out for a walk on the national highway near his house when he was hit by the vehicle. The vehicle owner sped off after hitting him. He was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Considered the oldest marathon runner, Fauja Singh started running at the age of 89 when his wife and son died in an accident. He took to running to fight loneliness and depression. He eventually ran in 18 marathons starting in London in 2000. After his last three marathons — Toronto in 2011, London in 2012 and Hong Kong in 2013 — he retired.

Opposition demands answers from PM Modi, gears up to corner govt in Parl

US President Donald Trump on Friday claimed that “five jets were shot down” during the recent conflict between India and Pakistan, reigniting debate over the extent of India’s losses in Operation Sindoor. His remarks have drawn sharp reactions, with the Congress-led Opposition demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarify the matter in Parliament.

Speaking at a private dinner with Republican lawmakers at the White House, Trump said, “We stopped a lot of wars. And these were serious, India and Pakistan, that was going on. Planes were being shot out of there. I think five jets were shot down.” While he did not specify which country’s aircraft were destroyed, his comments have bolstered Pakistan’s claims, though Islamabad has provided no evidence, while contradicting India’s official stance.

Pakistan has repeatedly claimed its air force downed six Indian jets, including three French-built Rafale fighters, but has not provided evidence. In contrast, India struck 11 Pakistani airbases and released imagery to support its claims. Even Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif admitted that Indian BrahMos missiles hit Pakistani airbases.

India has acknowledged “losses in combat” but has not disclosed details. Last month, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan confirmed that the Indian Air Force lost aircraft but rejected Pakistan’s claim of six downed Indian jets. Director General Air Operations Air Marshal AK Bharti has maintained that all pilots returned safely.

Trump also reiterated his claim of mediating to de-escalate tensions, stating, “India and Pakistan were going at it and they were back and forth, and it was getting bigger and bigger. We got it solved through trade. We said you guys want to make a trade deal. We’re not making a trade deal if you’re going to be throwing around weapons, and maybe nuclear weapons, both very powerful nuclear states.” However, India has denied any third-party mediation, insisting the crisis was resolved bilaterally.

The controversy has resurfaced just ahead of Parliament’s monsoon session, with the Opposition seizing on Trump’s remarks to pressure the government. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted on X, “Modi ji, what is the truth about the 5 jets? The country has the right to know!” Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, demanded a “clear and categorical statement” from PM Modi, citing his past rapport with Trump.

“The Prime Minister, who has had years of friendship and huglomacy with President Trump going back to ‘Howdy Modi’ in September 2019 and ‘Namaste Trump’ in February 2020, has to now himself make a clear and categorical statement in Parliament on what Trump has been claiming over the past 70 days,” Jairam said.

Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra went further, claiming at least one Rafale was lost. In a post on X, she said, “Each Rafale jet was bought with $250 mn of taxpayer money… Doesn’t India deserve a post-Sindoor briefing?” The issue is expected to dominate the monsoon session, with the INDIA bloc pushing for accountability.

Government says open to discuss all issues as per rules

Government on Sunday indicated its willingness to discuss in Parliament Operation Sindoor, a key opposition demand at an all-party meeting on eve of the Monsoon session, even as the INDIA bloc insisted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should respond on the matter as well as on the US President’s ‘ceasefire’ claims and SIR in Bihar.

Sources said the Prime Minister is unlikely to respond in Parliament on these issues. However, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asserted that the government will reply appropriately whenever a discussion takes place on US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire claims on the India-Pakistan conflict.

After the customary all-party meeting ahead of the session beginning Monday, Rijiju said that the government has sought the opposition’s cooperation in the smooth running of Parliament during the month-long session.

There should be government-opposition coordination in running Parliament smoothly, Rijiju told reporters after the meeting chaired by Union Minister J P Nadda.

He said they heard the opposition and ruling NDA alliance members patiently and hoped the upcoming session would be very productive.

As many as 54 leaders of different parties and Independent MPs participated in today’s all-party meeting.

“We are very open to a discussion on important issues like Operation Sindoor. These are issues of great national importance. The government is not shying away and will never shy away, but is open to discussions within rules, conventions,” Rijiju asserted.

Noting that the government accords importance to ‘niyam’ (rules) and ‘parampara’ (conventions), he said the matters raised at the meeting would be taken up at the Business Advisory Committee of both houses, where a final decision would be taken.

“We have noted all the points. We have requested all parties (to ensure) the Parliament functions properly. Have to ensure coordination. It is the responsibility of all to help Parliament function,” he said.

Rijiju also said that the government has noted the demand for allocation of more time to parties with fewer MPs to speak in Parliament.

“We will try and provide adequate time to all, including smaller parties,” he said.

On the opposition’s demand for PM Modi to make a statement on the Pahalgam attack and other issues, Rijiju said, “I want to make it clear that the Prime Minister remains in Parliament except during foreign travel. The Prime Minister always remains in Parliament, but the Prime Minister does not remain in the House all the time.

“Whenever Parliament functions, cabinet ministers are present to respond to issues concerning their departments.”

Rijiju said the government is bringing 17 key Bills, details of which would be provided soon.

Sources said even the BJP’s allies want that there should be a discussion on Operation Sindoor to highlight the achievements of the government after delegations visited different nations.

After the meeting, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi told reporters that his party sought Prime Minister Modi’s statement on Trump’s claims, “lapses” which led to the Pahalgam attack and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of poll rolls in Bihar.

He said it was incumbent and moral responsibility of PM Modi to give a statement in Parliament on key issues raised by his party.

“We hope that the PM will fulfil his moral duty,” he said.

Gogoi said questions have been raised on SIR and EC, and not giving answers will put a shadow of doubt on the fairness of the poll process and future elections.

It is the prime minister’s duty to clarify the government’s stand in Parliament, he said.

He also referred to several armed forces officers raising the issue of a two-pronged attack by China and Pakistan and sought a discussion. It is important to discuss defence and foreign policy and defence budget allocation, and the PM should answer on this, he said.

Gogoi also sought a discussion on the Manipur situation, “where violence has not ended even after 2.5 years. The PM has visited several small countries but is avoiding going to the small state of Manipur”, he said.

Sanjay Singh of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said he raised the alleged “poll scam” of SIR in Bihar. He also raised Trump’s claim that he brokered a ‘ceasefire’ between India and Pakistan.

Responding to a question, he said the INDIA bloc was only for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, and the AAP is contesting Assembly polls on its own ever since. AAP had stayed away from the online meeting of the opposition bloc on Saturday.

JD(U) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha said his party believes that every citizen must have voting rights and has launched a campaign to raise awareness.

“We have reports that people do not have any issue with this (Bihar SIR).  If there is any issue, we will meet the Election Commission…,” he said.

Samajwadi Party’s Ram Gopal Yadav said that Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor’s admission of intelligence failure in Pahalgam is a “serious issue”. He said India has never allowed third-party mediation on Pakistan and claims by Trump need to be clarified by the government.

“Our foreign policy is a complete failure… no country has supported India on Operation Sindoor. No muslim country was against us after the 1965, 1971 and Kargil wars, but now no country is with us. We never had such an unsuccessful foreign policy,” he claimed.

Yadav said that democracy “is in danger” in Bihar by the manner in which SIR is being carried out, as the EC or government don’t have the right to deny voting rights to anyone. “But in Bihar, crores are being denied voting rights,” he alleged.

Supriya Sule of NCP-Sharad Pawar demanded that the prime minister respond in Parliament on the issues of Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor and Bihar’s SIR.

“Everyone will feel good if the prime minister speaks in Parliament on these issues,” she said.

BJD’s Sasmit Patra said the Centre can’t escape responsibility for the “failing” law and order in states and demanded a discussion in Parliament during the upcoming session.

He was referring to an incident of self-immolation by a college student and another case of a 15-year-old being set on fire by a group of men in Odisha.

Patra alleged there was a “complete collapse” of law and order in Odisha, and the BJP government there was “helpless” and had “failed”.

CPI(M)’s John Brittas said Prime Minister Modi should speak in Parliament on Trump’s claims on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack.

National Conference MP Altaaf Hussain said he raised issues of Jammu and Kashmir. “Post Pahalgam terrorist attack, the current situation of Jammu and Kashmir is not as it is being shown to the people of the country. I asked the government to ensure that innocent locals are not bothered.”

Gogoi, Jairam Ramesh, Pramod Tiwari of Congress, Supriya Sule of NCP-Sharad Pawar, DMK’s T R Baalu and Tiruchi Siva, AIADMK’s M Thambidurai, SAD’s Harsimrat Badal, SP’s Ram Gopal Yadav, RPI (A) leader and Union minister Ramdas Athawale were among those who attended the meeting.

Starting August 2025, the Indian Army will implement a mandatory psychological test for all Agniveer recruits, supplementing the existing physical and educational evaluations.

This 15-minute online psychological assessment, developed by the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) under the Ministry of Defence, will specifically measure the intellectual capabilities and stress-handling abilities of prospective soldiers.

The test will be introduced initially at recruitment rallies in the Gwalior, Chambal, and Bundelkhand districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Candidates will continue to follow the current multi-stage selection process, which typically consists of an online Common Entrance Examination (CEE), a Physical Fitness Test (including the 1600-meter race, pull-ups, ditch crossing, and balance walk), physical measurements, and medical examinations.

The psychological test will be conducted immediately after candidates complete the 1600-meter race, the first physical stage of the rally.

A digital link to take the test will be sent to each candidate’s mobile device on-site.

Those who do not pass the psychological assessment will be disqualified from proceeding to subsequent selection phases, including further physical evaluations, medical checks, and written tests.

The intention behind this significant shift is to ensure that incoming Agniveers possess the mental resilience and temperament required to cope with the psychological pressures of military life, thereby aiming to reduce stress-related incidents during service. Until now, such psychological screening was reserved for officer-level entries through the NDA, CDS, or JCO routes, making this the first application of formal psychological evaluation at the entry-level Agniveer recruitments. The format and assessment parameters of this test differ from those used for officers but are tailored specifically for the demands and circumstances faced by Agniveers.

This move aligns the Indian Army’s recruitment protocols with international standards, where psychological evaluation is increasingly recognized as essential for maintaining operational effectiveness and safeguarding the well-being of troops exposed to challenging and often high-stress environments.