The first programme of our Defence preparedness is, one of expansion of our Armed Forces. I had already informed the House that we were planning to raise six Divisions. I am happy to report to the House that in fulfilment of our programme we have raised three of them. The remaining Divisions are in the process of being raised according to a time-schedule.

The raising of these Divisions has meant, large-scale recruitment of Officers and other Ranks. As regards the recruitment of other Ranks, I would like to inform the House that the actual recruitment is going on according to our phased programme and I would add that our performance is more than satisfactory.

Since emergency, 3,175 Officers have been commissioned and about 2,677 Officers would be eligible for Commission by the end of this month. By the beginning of next year we would have commissioned more than 8000 Officers.

As regards recruitment of Officers for Technical Branches such as Engineering and Medical, considerable difficulties are being experienced. In respect of Medical Graduates, we have been able to recruit 40 per cent of Officers, that we would need for the period 1963-64. I must convey with regret to the House that as regards Engineering Graduates, the response has been unsatisfactory.

We have introduced a number of schemes for attracting Engineering and Medical Graduates to the Army such as :

( i)    Ante-date based on length of service in civil employment.

( ii)    Protection of lien, seniority, civil pay and emoluments and other service rights in the case of Central Government employees. We have requested to the State Governments to extend similar concessions to the State Government employees.

(iii)    Government have announced that for the present 50 per cent of permanent vacancies in Class I and Class II posts in Engineering and Medical Services of the Central Government which are to be filled in by direct recruitment, will be reserved for Graduate Engineers and Doctors commissioned in the Armed Forces during the present emergency and released later. The State Governments have also been requested to make similar reservations with regard to posts under them.

(iv)    We have introduced University-entry Scheme for Engineering and Medical students. Under this Scheme provisional short-service regular commissions are granted to candidates studying in the final year of the Degree Course of Engineering and Medical Colleges. After they qualify in the final examination they are granted short service regular commissions.