Is India included among the countries where mandatory military service is a component of their national regulations?

If India is not included in that list . What is the reason behind in it?

Some countries have compulsory military service for their citizens, while others have suspended or abolished it. The length and conditions of the service vary depending on the country. Here is a list of countries that have some form of conscription, and how long it lasts:

India does not have mandatory military service as a part of its national policy.


Algeria: 12 months for men 19-30

Angola: 24 months for men 20-45

Argentina: Conscription legal, but not used

Armenia: 24 months for men 18-27

Austria: 6-9 months for men 18-50

Azerbaijan: 12-18 months for men 18-25

Belarus: 12-36 months for men 18-27

Belize: Conscription legal, but not used

Benin: 18 months for men and women 18-35

Bhutan: Training for men 20-25, voluntary enlistment

Bolivia: 12-24 months for men 18-22

Brazil: 10-12 months for men 18-45, but only 5-10% serve

Cambodia: 18 months for men 18-30

Cape Verde: 24 months for men and women 18-35

Chad: 36 months for men 20, 12 months for women 21

Chile: 12-22 months for men 18-45, but rarely needed

China: Conscription legal, but not used

Colombia: 18 months for men 18-24

Congo (DR): Conscription legal, but unclear usage

Cuba: 24 months for men 17-28

Cyprus: 14 months for men 18-50

Denmark: 4-12 months for men 18-50, reserves until 60

Egypt: 18-36 months for men 18-30, plus 9 years reserve

El Salvador: 11-12 months for men 18

Equatorial Guinea: 24 months for citizens 18

Eritrea: 18 months for men and women 18-40, may be extended

Estonia: 8-11 months for men 18-27

Ethiopia: Conscription legal, but not used

Finland: 6-12 months for men 18, reserves until 60

Georgia: 12 months for men 18-27

Greece: 9-12 months for men 19-45

Guatemala: 12-24 months for men 17-21, but rare

Guinea-Bissau: 24 months for men and women 18-25

Indonesia: Conscription legal, but not used

Iran: 18-24 months for men 18

Israel: 24-48 months for men and women 18

Ivory Coast: Conscription legal, but not used

Jordan: 12 months for unemployed men 25-29

Kazakhstan: 12-24 months for men 18-27, may be abolished

Kuwait: 12 months for men 18-35

Kyrgyzstan: 9-12 months for men 18-27

Laos: 18 months for men 18

Lithuania: 9 months for men 19-26

Mali: 24 months for men and women 18

Mexico: 12 months for lottery-selected men 18, reserves until 40

Moldova: 12 months for men 18-27, may be abolished

Mongolia: 12-24 months for men 18-27, reserves until 45

Morocco: 12 months for men and women 19

Mozambique: 24 months for men and women 18-35

Myanmar: Conscription legal, but not used

Niger: 24 months for unmarried men and women 18

North Korea: 10 years for men 17, 5 years for women 17

Norway: 19 months for men and women 19-35, but most are released

Paraguay: 12-24 months for men 18

If India is not included in that list . What is the reason behind in it?

The Indian government opposes the idea of mandatory military training for all youth in the country for several reasons:

Democratic Principles: India operates as a democratic republic, and the constitution does not advocate for compulsory military training. The democratic system allows individuals the freedom to choose their professions, and enforcing mandatory military training is seen as contradicting these democratic values.

Risk of Militarization: There is a concern that making military training mandatory for all youth could result in the militarization of the entire nation. Given the existing socio-political and economic conditions, this is considered undesirable, as there is a risk that some unemployed individuals trained in military skills might become associated with undesirable elements.

Volunteer Availability: The Armed Forces in India already have a substantial pool of volunteers to recruit from. There is no shortage of willing individuals to join the armed forces voluntarily, making it unnecessary to mandate military training for all youth.

Infrastructure and Expenditure: Implementing compulsory military training for the entire youth population would necessitate the establishment of numerous training centers throughout the country. This would require significant resources for maintenance and upkeep. The potential benefits of providing military training to all youth are seen as inadequate compared to the substantial expenditure involved. Such an effort would impose a considerable financial burden on a developing country, straining its limited resources.