Marching towards justice: revitalizing the Indian Armed Forces

The Indian Armed Forces, long revered as a bastion of discipline and sacrifice, are anchored by the Chetwode Credo, which prioritizes honour, duty, and the welfare of subordinates. From the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War to modern counterinsurgency operations, this ethos has inspired countless heroic acts. However, today, core values—guts, courage of conviction, uprightness, and honesty—are under strain. Systemic issues, including manipulated Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs), favoritism in promotions, and senior leaders’ reluctance to address ethical lapses, threaten to undermine natural justice. This article examines these challenges and proposes solutions to restore honour and integrity.

The erosion of core values

The Armed Forces’ legacy is built upon the principle of “Follow Me,” demanding moral and physical courage from officers. Yet, systemic pressures increasingly threaten this foundation. Research indicates that over 50% of Army personnel face severe stress, contributing to indiscipline and ethical lapses. Junior officers, in particular, are vulnerable to manipulation through career incentives like lucrative postings or favorable ACRs. Senior leaders’ failure to uphold ethical standards fosters a culture of compliance over conviction, eroding the public’s trust, as seen in growing scrutiny over social media.

A colonial mindset persists, evident in rigid hierarchies and an outdated ACR system, stifling ethical decision-making. Societal shifts away from traditional values such as Naam-Namak-Izzat (name, loyalty, honour) exacerbate the erosion of the moral fabric.

ACR Issues: A core systemic challenge

The ACR system, intended to assess officers’ performance and potential, has become a significant source of grievance due to its subjectivity and lack of transparency. Widespread allegations of bias, favoritism, and manipulation have escalated to the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), which as of 2021 faced a backlog of nearly 19,000 cases, many related to ACR disputes.

Key Issues:

• Subjectivity and Bias: Senior officers’ assessments enable favoritism or vindictiveness.
• Lack of Accountability: Fear of hierarchy prevents challenges to biased entries.
• Career Impact: Manipulated ACRs derail promotions and postings.
• Colonial Legacy: The system prioritizes loyalty over merit, discouraging ethical courage.

Case Studies: ACR Issues, AFT Rulings, and Leadership Failures

1. Maj Gen Rana vs. Gen Bikram Singh (2014, AFT)

The AFT declared an ACR entry by former Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh “illegal, invalid, and void,” exposing the misuse of authority to settle personal scores. Singh’s post-retirement ACR entry adversely impacted Maj Gen Rana’s promotion, highlighting a severe lapse in ethical leadership.

2. Sukna Land Scam (2008)

Senior generals bypassed regulations to transfer land for personal gain, allegedly rewarding compliant officers with favorable ACRs. The scandal revealed systemic corruption and leadership silence.

3. Adarsh Housing Society Scam (2010)

Flats meant for war widows were illicitly allocated to senior military leaders, undermining trust and exposing how ACRs and promotions were manipulated for personal advantage.

4. Recruitment Bribery Scandal (2021)

The CBI uncovered a bribery ring among officers influencing SSB selections. Senior leaders’ failure to intervene against ACR manipulation further eroded junior officers’ trust.

5. Counterinsurgency Stress in Kashmir

Prolonged operations increased stress-induced ethical lapses. Officers prioritizing human rights were penalized with adverse ACRs, with leadership failing to recognize or rectify these injustices.

6. Col HS Shankar’s Case (2015, AFT)

Col Shankar successfully challenged an adverse ACR influenced by personal vendetta, exposing the deep-rooted issues of bias and delayed justice due to AFT backlogs.

Systemic Challenges

• ACR Subjectivity: No standardized, transparent criteria.
• AFT Backlog: Severe understaffing delays justice.
• Leadership Silence: Compliance prioritized over ethical courage.
• Counterinsurgency Stress: High operational pressure penalizes ethical stands.
• Colonial Legacy: Hierarchical rigidity discourages dissent.
• Bureaucratic Constraints: Limited modernization hampers evaluation reforms.

A Roadmap for Reform

1. Reform the ACR System:

• Introduce objective, 360-degree feedback.
• Establish internal ACR review boards.
• Digitize with blockchain-based audits.

2. Strengthen AFT Operations:

• Fill vacant posts and operationalize all benches.
• Empower AFT to enforce rulings without prolonged appeals.
• Boost funding and resources.

3. Foster Ethical Leadership:

• Implement ethical decision-making training.
• Reform selection processes to prioritize moral courage.
• Hold leaders accountable for ACR manipulation.

4. Address Counterinsurgency Stress:

• Establish field psychiatric units.
• Revise ACR evaluations to prioritize ethical conduct.
• Minimize military footprint in civilian areas.

5. Enhance Transparency and Accountability:

• Conduct independent audits of ACRs and promotions.
• Introduce anonymous whistleblower mechanisms.
• Strengthen internal oversight mechanisms.

6. Modernize Systems and Culture:

• Increase modernization budgets for AI-based evaluations.
• Transition to a merit-based culture.
• Reform land and resource management practices.

A hopeful endeavour

Restoring honour and integrity in the Indian Armed Forces is a moral imperative. The sacrifices of soldiers in Kargil, counterinsurgency operations, and disaster relief missions symbolize a legacy of courage that must be preserved. Recent reforms, like tri-service integration and the appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff, show promise. However, without urgent action on ACR reform, AFT strengthening, and leadership accountability, trust and morale will continue to suffer.

As Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw warned, “A ‘yes man’ is a dangerous man.” Cultivating leaders who prioritize justice and transparency will ensure that courage and conscience continue to define the Indian Armed Forces, securing their reputation as a paragon of honour and integrity.