73rd Raising Day of Territorial Army

Context

Recently, the 73rd Raising Day of the Territorial Army was celebrated across the country.

Background

• In 1920, the Britishers raised the Territorial Army (TA) through the Indian Territorial Act of 1920. 
• Post-Independence, the Territorial Army Act was passed in the year 1948. 
• The first Indian Governor-General C Rajagopalachari formally initiated the Territorial Army on 9 October 1949. Since then, the day has been celebrated and recognised as Territorial Army Raising Day.
• The Territorial Army, also known as the ‘Terriers’, is considered the second line of national defence after the regular Army.
• The Territorial Army comes under the Defence Ministry.

Roles

• To assist the civil administration in dealing with natural disasters, relieving the Regular Army from static responsibilities, and maintenance of essential service in situations that affect the security of the country or life of the communities.
• The units of the Territorial Army have provided active services in North-East, Jammu and Kashmir, and India's western and northern borders. 
• The force was also a part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka from 29 July 1987 to 24 March 1990.