Indian Armed Forces
The Indian Armed Forces is India's primary defence organisation. The armed force consists of three main branches:
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The Military of India, consisting of
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The Indian Paramilitary Forces and
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The Strategic Forces Command
The Military of India has the third highest headcount in the world, after the People's Liberation Army and US Military. Over a million strong, the Indian Paramilitary Forces also forms one of the most formidable and largest paramilitary forces in the world. Combined, the Indian Armed Forces is the second largest armed force in the world.
The Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces is the President of India, currently Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam. The Indian armed forces is a volunteer only service; the military draft has never been imposed in India.
Combat History
Since its formation, the Army of India, as the armed force was known as under the British Raj, fought in both the World Wars. During the World War 2, the Army of India played a crucial role in checking the advance of the Imperial Japan and also fought several battles against Axis forces in northern Africa and Italy. Post-independence, it has fought three wars against Pakistan and a war with People's Republic of China. India also fought an extended border skirmish with Pakistan in 1999. The Indian Armed Force has participated in several United Nations peacekeeping operations and is presently the second largest troops contributor to the peacekeeping force.
Nuclear Doctrine
The Indian military possesses nuclear weapons and sufficient means, through a range of missiles and aircraft — to deliver these over considerably long distances. However, India has a nuclear no-first-use policy and maintains a nuclear doctrine based on credible minimum deterrence. India is not a part of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), citing concerns that it unfairly favours the established nuclear powers, and provides no provision for complete nuclear disarmament. Indian officials argued that India's refusal to sign the treaty stemmed from the treaty's fundamentally discriminatory character; the treaty places restrictions on the non-nuclear weapons states but does little to curb the modernization and expansion of the nuclear arsenals of the nuclear weapons states.
Gallantry Awards
The highest wartime gallantry award given by the Military of India is the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), followed by the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) and the Vir Chakra (VrC). Its peacetime equivalent is the Ashoka Chakra. The highest decoration for meritorious service is the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
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