India is changing how it promotes top Army officers. Starting March 31, every Lieutenant General will be evaluated based on their performance using a new “quantified assessment system.” This means promotions will focus on how well officers do their jobs instead of just how long they’ve been in service. Currently, there are around 90 Lieutenant Generals in the 1.1 million-strong Army, but the new policy only affects those below the Vice Chief and the six top commanders, as they are considered a step higher.
The change aims to make promotions fairer, similar to the Air Force and Navy, which already use performance-based evaluations for their top ranks, like Air Marshals and Vice Admirals. Before, Lieutenant Generals did not have a clear assessment system, but now they’ll be scored from 1 to 9 on various skills. This shift is important as the Army prepares for new joint commands that will bring together forces for better coordination in facing challenges from China, Pakistan, and the Indian Ocean.
However, some officers are unhappy with the new system. They worry that merit-based promotions could lead to unfair influences, including politics. Right now, the top leader positions in the Army rely on seniority and how much service time someone has left until they turn 60.
The new theatre commands will focus separately on threats from China and Pakistan, with commands located in Lucknow, Jaipur, and Thiruvananthapuram.