Conflicts across the globe are leaving a profound mark on local troops, both physically and psychologically. While the physical wounds are often visible, the hidden scars of psychological stress are far more elusive. But here’s the unsettling question: if soldiers are grappling with mental strain even in times of peace, what does that say about the unseen battles they fight daily?
Last month, in a Lok Sabha Q&A session in India, Adv. Dean Kuriakose, member of parliament representing Idukki, Kerala, asked “whether the government is aware” of the study in August 2023 regarding “stress factors” affecting troops and their families.
On Dec 20, 2024, while addressing the query, the Ministry of Defense stopped short of confirming widespread mental stress among troops but outlined a series of measures being implemented to tackle the issue.
The Ministry of Defense stated that, as part of the Wellness Enabling Campaign, a team of experts, including members from the Discipline and Vigilance Directorate, specialists from the Directorate General of Medical Services (Army), scientists from the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), and psychological counselors, visited 12 military stations between August and December 2023.
During these visits, they engaged with officers, junior commissioned officers, other ranks, and their families to “identify” mental health challenges and recommend strategies to enhance mental resilience.
As part of the initiative, the team gathered data from 2,500 military personnel through questionnaires, open forums, focused group discussions, and one-on-one interactions.
The Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) designed specialized tests, and the psychometric assessment platform ‘Disha Kiran,’ a multilingual tool, was used to screen personnel at risk.
Notably, the Army’s advisory issued in August 2023 emphasized that this study was a critical step in addressing “stress and psychological issues and reduce suicides and fratricides in the force”.
Another question raised by Member of Parliament Dharambir Singh was, “Is the government aware of cases involving humiliation and physical coercion against junior officers by seniors (during 2023-24)?
In response, the Ministry of Defense acknowledged the issue, stating, “Yes, Sir. A few complaints were received during the period.”
The Numbers Tell A Sobbing Story
Behind the stoic faces of India’s military personnel lies a battle that rarely makes headlines – the fight for mental well-being.
In 2022, the Minister of State for Defence informed the Rajya Sabha that 819 suicides occurred across the armed forces over the preceding five years—642 in the Army, 29 in the Navy, and 148 in the Air Force.
Media reports suggest that the Army loses more personnel annually to suicides, fratricide, and other non-combat incidents than to combat operations.
It is important to note that updated data on suicides within the armed forces is not consistently released by the services or the Ministry of Defense.
High Suicide Rate In Paramilitary Forces
Data presented by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to Parliament in August 2023 revealed a grim statistic: since 2011, 1,532 personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have died by suicide. These forces, collectively comprising around 900,000 personnel, face unique challenges that often go unaddressed.
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), includes Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Assam Rifles (AR), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Security Guard (NSG) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
Notably, the highest number of suicides among paramilitary personnel has been reported in the CRPF.
The Central Armed Police Forces face unique challenges. Despite their crucial role alongside the Indian Army, especially in conflict zones, they often feel like second-class citizens in the security apparatus.
The government’s reluctance to officially recognize the CAPF as part of the armed forces contributes to a perception of being “less privileged.”
Key Factors Behind Suicides
Studies by the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) have identified delayed or denied leave as a key stress factor contributing to suicidal behavior among armed forces personnel.
In 2021, a task force headed by V. S. K. Kaumudi was established by the Ministry of Home Affairs to examine incidents of suicides and fratricides and develop a comprehensive report.
The task force focused on suicide and fratricide cases within the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and submitted its draft findings to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The task force identified three primary factors contributing to suicides and fratricides: service conditions, working conditions, and personal or individual issues. Under service conditions, it also pinpointed the lack of timely leave as a major trigger.
The report outlined several other critical reasons behind suicides, including extended working hours, insufficient rest and recreational time, low job satisfaction compared to other sectors, a sense of isolation, lack of social and familial support, and a weak grievance redressal system.
Additional factors contributing to the distress included discrimination among sub-groups, workplace bullying, fear of disciplinary or legal action, and poor communication between company commanders and jawans, along with frequent transfers.
Human Cost Of The Crisis
The following cases, reported in the media, highlight the troubling trend of suicides, fratricide, and non-combat fatalities within the armed forces. However, it’s important to note that many such incidents remain out of the public eye due to the military’s often close-knit and confidential working environment.
November 2024: A CRPF jawan allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service rifle at a camp in the Shivpora, Srinagar.
October 2024: A couple serving in the armed forces—a husband, an Indian Air Force (IAF) flight lieutenant, and his wife, an Army captain—allegedly died by suicide on the same day. The husband was in Agra while the wife was visiting Delhi. She left a suicide note requesting a joint cremation with her husband.
July 2024: A 22-year-old IAF Agniveer reportedly died by suicide in Agra. This incident raised the number of Agniveer deaths since 2023 to around 20. Reports suggest the first Agniveer death was also a suicide, where the individual did not receive a military funeral due to protocol.
October 2023: A Major-ranked officer in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district opened fire on colleagues and subordinates in Thanamandi.
October 2023: An Indian Army Agniveer, Amritpal Singh, died by suicide by shooting himself while on sentry duty.
July 2023: A 19-year-old Indian Navy sailor was found hanging on board the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
April 2023: An Army soldier fatally shot four of his fellow colleagues from an artillery unit at Bathinda military station.
June 2022: A 44-year-old Navy officer was discovered hanging in the bathroom of a naval hospital in Kochi.
July 2021: A 19-year-old Navy sailor was found dead with a bullet wound at the C2 watchtower in Katribargh. The shot was fired from his service rifle at point-blank range.
These cases underline the urgent need to address the mental health challenges and stress factors within the armed forces.
Stress Among Troops In Peacetime
Stress among troops, even in peaceful times or less volatile environments, has become a significant concern. Various reports point to systemic factors as key drivers of the stress that leads soldiers to suicide.
The troubling statistic of nearly 100 security personnel taking their own lives each year underscores a growing crisis within the country’s armed forces. These numbers highlight not only the mental health challenges soldiers face but also raise questions about the effectiveness of their training and overall well-being.
The question remains: In a force trained to protect others, how can we better protect the protectors?
As India continues to strengthen its military capabilities, the mental resilience of its personnel must become a paramount concern. After all, the nation’s security depends not just on weapons and training but on the well-being of the individuals who stand guard over its borders.
Recognizing the challenges faced by the armed forces is a crucial first step for the government.
- Shubhangi Palve is a defense and aerospace journalist. Before joining the EurAsian Times, she worked for ET Prime. In this capacity, she focused on covering defense strategies and the defense sector from a financial perspective. She offers over 15 years of extensive experience in the media industry, spanning print, electronic, and online domains.
- Contact the author at shubhapalve (at) gmail.com
