Executive Summary: India is entering an era of heightened strategic competition, hybrid threats, and rapid technological disruption. To remain secure and assertive in this new world order, India must undertake bold, structural reforms across its armed forces. This white paper proposes a six-force structure, unified recruitment and assessment authority, and the rationalization of border and internal security forces. These reforms will transform India from a reactive power to a proactive strategic actor.
I. Introduction: The Need for Radical Reform
The nature of warfare has changed. Kinetic battles are no longer the only decisive factor; space, cyberspace, narrative warfare, and covert operations now shape national outcomes.
India’s current force structure and recruitment models are relics of the 20th century, unsuited for this multidomain, technology-driven battlefield.
This paper recommends creating three new forces, unifying recruitment under a central authority, and reorganizing border/internal security commands.
II. Six-Force Military Architecture
1. Indian Army (Traditional Land Forces)
Retained with modernization.
Focus on conventional deterrence and integrated battlefield operations.
2. Indian Navy (Maritime Command)
Expanded blue-water capability.
Indo-Pacific-centric deterrence.
3. Indian Air Force (Aerospace Operations)
Emphasis on precision, ISR, and joint command compatibility.
4. Optoelectronics Force (OEF)
Technological backbone.
Domains: Cyber, AI, quantum tech, drone/robotics, space-based ISR, electronic warfare.
Supports all other branches.
5. Information Force (IF)
Psychological operations, perception management, counter-narrative warfare.
Offensive and defensive information operations.
6. Surgical Force (SF)
Covert, precision-oriented, Pakistan-proxy centric force.
Special operations, sabotage, deep penetration missions.
III. Recruitment Reform: A Unified National Defence Talent Commission
1. Dismantling the Legacy System
Remove CDS, NDA, AFCAT, SSC-Tech, and other redundant entry routes.
2. Centralized Testing (6 Exams per Year)
2 x Engineering Graduate Tests.
2 x 12th (Science) Entry Tests.
2 x General Graduate Tests.
3. Unified SSB Board under IDS
Centralized, AI-supported, psychologically advanced SSB system.
Assesses cognitive fit, domain-specific aptitude, leadership under stress.
4. Force Allocation Post-Selection
Based on aptitude + preference.
Candidates matched to one of six forces.
IV. Border and Internal Security Command Reorganization
1. Unified Border Security Force (UBSF)
Merger of BSF, ITBP, and SSB.
Comes under Ministry of Defence.
Wartime integration with Army Theatre Commands.
2. Unified Internal Security Command (UISC)
Merges CRPF, CISF, NSG, and Assam Rifles.
Comes under Ministry of Home Affairs.
Handles internal counter-insurgency, riot control, VIP protection, and rapid crisis response.
V. Integration and Oversight
1. Theatre Command Integration
Six forces feed into integrated theatre commands.
Theatre-specific command structure replaces service-specific operations.
2. Legislative and Constitutional Backing
National Security Act Amendment.
Defines command responsibilities, recruitment authority, and civilian-military integration.
3. Optional Specialist Fast-Track Entry
For AI experts, cyber researchers, physicists, and narrative specialists.
Civilian-to-officer pipeline for strategic talent.
VI. Strategic Benefits
Improved domain readiness and rapid force deployment.
Enhanced psychological, cyber, and covert deterrence.
Efficient manpower planning and cost-effective training.
Strategic autonomy through indigenized tech force (OEF).
VII. Implementation Roadmap (10 Years)
Phase 1 (Years 1-3):
Legal framework.
NDTC formation.
Begin SSB board overhaul.
Phase 2 (Years 4-6):
Pilot new recruitment model.
Raise Optoelectronics and Information Forces.
Merge BSF, ITBP, and SSB into UBSF.
Phase 3 (Years 7-10):
Full transition.
Six-force structure.
Theatre command operationalization.
VIII. Conclusion: Reforging the Sword India cannot prepare for tomorrow’s threats using yesterday’s structures. The time for administrative tinkering is over. This blueprint offers a bold, scalable, and modern path to turn India’s military into a force that not only defends but shapes the regional and global order.