Draft Indian National Defence University (INDU) Bill, 2015

In August 2016, a Draft Indian National Defence University (INDU) Bill, 2015 was put online and suggestions were invited from public for the proposed university.

Background

The idea of having a National level Defense University is not new. In 1967, a proposal for National Defence University (NDU) was put forward by Chiefs of Staff Committee. However, for many decades no action was taken. In the aftermath of Kargil war in 1999, the proposal was taken seriously and the Vajpayee Government set up a Committee on the National Defence University (CONDU) headed by the late K. Subrahmanyam. In 2002, this committee presented its report and advocate the establishment of a National Defence University. The Union Cabinet gave in principle approval for setting up such university at Binola, near Gurugram in Haryana. After this, a PSU EdCIL (India) Limited was given the task for preparing a Detailed Project Report. The final DPR was submitted in 2013. In the same year, the then PM Manmohan Singh had laid the foundation stone for the university at Binola with an objective to create a world class institution in India for higher “defence studies”. The recently drafted bill provides statutory backing to establishment of such university to impart Professional Military Education.

Objectives of INDU

The main objectives of the proposed University, according to the bill, are as follows:

• To develop and promote higher education and research in National Security Studies, Defence Management, Defence Technology and allied areas.
• To promote avenues for higher education for defence personnel through distance and open learning.
• To promote policy oriented research related to national security, both internal and external, including inter-agency responses for hybrid threats, defence and cooperation and to serve as think tank contributing to policy formulation.
• To prepare the personnel of the national security establishments and the academic community from within India and from friendly foreign countries for high-level leadership, staff and policy responsibilities.
• To encourage strategic thinking on defence, and security issues and to initiate debate on such issues both nationally and globally.
• To instil a spirit of jointness amongst various elements of the national security system.
• To develop competence relating to national security issues.
• To network with other national, regional and international institutions or individuals of eminence engaged in the fields of education, research and industry.
• To encourage international and corporate fellowship programmes in the field of strategic studies.

Questions and Answers

Discuss the importance of Professional Military Education for India.

There has always been fear of threats across our porous borders. This makes it very important for our military leaders to think critically, demonstrate professional acumen and lead the rank and file in dangerous and difficult situations. Therefore, it becomes increasingly important to invest in professional military education(PME) in order to groom officers capable of meeting the rigours of complex politico-military crises and conflicts of the future. The INDU proposal is therefore a step in the right direction.

What is the existing infrastructure for Professional Military Education (PME)?

The current infrastructure is as follows. India has tri-services institutions for Professional Military Education (PME) such as National Defence College (New Delhi), College of Defence Management (Secunderabad) and Staff College (Wellington, Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu). Each of them is meant for a particular office profile. The NDC, Delhi is for Brigadiers (and equivalents); CDM, Secunderabad is for Colonels (and equivalents); while Staff College for Majors (and equivalents). Further, several universities offer master’s and research programmes in defence and strategic affairs currently.

Is INDU a superimposition over existing infrastructure?

The proposed INDU is not exactly a superimposition. Intention is to result in augmentation of the PME capacities and also provide basis for jointness among the three services. Firstly, despite of existing institutions, there is an academic vacuum in the country as far as strategic studies are concerned. This university would fill that vacuum. Secondly, the university is proposed to be a teaching and affiliating university and existing institutions are supposed to be affiliated to it, thus bringing oneness in the PME framework in India. Thirdly, it would expand the PME as four new schools would set up under it viz. a school of national security, a school of defence technology, a school of defence management and a centre for distance and open learning. It is also expected to set up academic centres abroad as well.

Is the design of INDU conducive for augmentation of PME?

It appears to be yet, there are few criticisms. Firstly, it is being criticised because draft bill gives greater control to centre {included defense ministry and defense establishment} than any other central university. The Defence Minister will be chancellor of INDU and head its council, which would be responsible for major policy decisions. Further, chairman of the chiefs of staff committee will be its pro-chancellor and preside over the university’s board of governors. This is in contrast with other central universities where eminent people from outside the government have greater say; and HRD minister does not serve as its chancellor. This criticism may be exaggeration because other civilian universities and a defense education establishment have inherent differences and such an establishment has direct to do with the nation’s security; and thus needs greater command of army.

Secondly, there is confusion if INDU would follow the UGC set norms, on appointments of faculty. If not, then, basically it would be obviating its aim of being an academic institution.

What is the way ahead?

There are chances that such a university, though founded on a novel objective, becomes another dysfunctional bureaucratic monolith. Some of the suggested ways forward are as follows. Firstly, to keep its academic nature intact, there has to be a broader academic council with eminent people from outside government. Secondly, appointments must be on the basis of competence and integrity and not seniority and sycophancy. Thirdly, more focus should be on research. Fourthly, under professional military education, following areas would be focussed and imparted to the officers-

1. Leadership
2. The organization and management of military forces
3. Strategy, tactics, and logistics including Geo-Economics
4. Military history and Geo-Politics
5. National security policy
6. The relationship of armed forces and society; and individual analytical and communication skills
7. Incorporating Basic Physical Sciences and Technology and the application of such disciplines as Earth Sciences especially Geology, Bio Technology, Computer Science, Engineering Sciences, and Metallurgical Sciences.

Conclusion

If India wants to produce officers who are capable of operating in a complex security environment, it definitely requires PME wherein the officers can gauge the emerging strategic environment more closely and understand every aspect from terrain to geography or topology of the battlefield.