By NNN-PTI
Bangalore : The three armed forces are collectively facing a shortage of around 12000 officers but the situation is not too “alarming,” Union Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said.
“We are facing a shortage of officers of non-select rank; officers on the ground,” he said on the sidelines of the International Flight Test Seminar organised here to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Flight Testing in IAF.
“Though there has been a shortage, it is not of too alarming a level,” he said.
The government was looking towards strengthening of Sainik schools, a major contributor of students to the National Defence Academy. He, however, lamented that the Centre was not receiving adequate support on this front from the state governments who were responsible for these schools.
The government was also tapping the NCC stream. There has been an increase in the intake from this talent pool and the government was hoping to see more numbers from here, he said.
He, however, clarified “that there has been no dilution of standards” when it came to recruitment.
He also hoped that the higher remuneration expected from the coming pay commission would attract more talent.I
Speaking about the airforce, Air Chief Marshal F H Major said the airforce was currently facing a shortage of around 250-300 pilots. “There is a slight shortage, but it is not alarming,” he said.
He hoped that higher pay packet envisaged through the new pay commission, introduction of a short service commission, among others, would help in attracting talent to the airforce.