n May 2023, Army Headquarters recommended—‘directed’ in military terms—that “every soldier proceeding on leave volunteers to choose any subject/domain as per own interest/competency and the felt need of one’s local community and engages citizens, thereby making an individual contribution to the Indian Army’s nation-building effort”.

The letter, issued by the Ceremonials and Welfare Directorate of the Adjutant General’s Branch, elaborates on the ‘nation-building effort’ in terms of social, civic, and patriotic themes. It also specifies the need for the propagation of the plethora of welfare schemes of the Narendra Modi government. The policy was to be implemented with immediate

The Army has a liberal leave policy to compensate for the rigours of service and long separation from families due to field/operational tenures, and limited family accommodation in peace areas. All personnel are entitled to two months of annual leave and casual leave of 30 days (20 days for officers). Leave is considered the sine qua non of welfare, especially when not getting timely leave is one of the causes of suicide among military personnel. On the face of it, the noble intent of the ‘social warrior’ policy cannot be faulted. However, closer scrutiny makes the scheme controversial both in concept and in execution.