Thousands of army officers flunk key exams

Brawn may have got the better of brains in the world’s second largest army. Thousands of young officers in the Indian army have flunked an annual promotion exam, reports Rahul Singh.

Brawn may have got the better of brains in the world’s second largest army. Thousands of young officers in the Indian army have flunked an annual promotion exam.

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Of the 8,506 officers who took these exams last July and November, 1,944 failed in every subject. Only 2,240 officers cleared the exams while the rest ‘partially passed’ in one or more subjects.

The exams are based on military history, current affairs, law, administration and tactics. Officers need to clear them to be promoted to the rank of major or lieutenant colonel.

A senior army officer said: “It’s not a matter of great concern. These exams can be cleared in phases over a period of time. Sometimes, officers tend to take it a little easy.”

Expressing shock at their performance, Lieutenant General HS Bagga, former director general of the army’s manpower, planning and personnel services branch, said deployment in counter-insurgency operations left officers with little time for academics.