Parwinder Sandhu
New Delhi, January 7 (UNI) The Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) released a vision document for training methodology in the Indian Armed Forces for futuristic capability building of the forces.
In a post on X, the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff stated that as a seminal document, it provides holistic guidance for all Services towards desired training outcomes to prepare military leaders for current and emerging security challenges.
“The comprehensive document outlines the learning objectives for each stage of Professional Military Education to ensure progressive professional growth of military leaders, developing capabilities to conduct Multi Domain Operations in a joint and integrated environment,” the post read.
A tri-service study to examine and review the functioning of the Pre-Commission Training Academy (PCTA), Armed Forces Training Institutions (AFTI), War Colleges and National Defence College (NDC) to recommend changes in the framework, processes, content and curriculum towards enhancement of jointness through training was carried out in 2020–21 by a Committee of Experts composed of Commanders-in-Chief of the Service Training Commands under directions of COSC. The study recommended a number of points for implementation, with the intent of enhancing jointness amongst Services.
Accordingly, four Implementation Committees (ICs) were set up in September 2022 to examine the feasibility of implementing these points and recommend a way forward. Two of the recommendations of the study, approved for implementation by IC-I.
Two key proposals from the study, cleared for execution by Implementation Committee–I (IC-I), marking a significant shift in India’s military training philosophy. Under the first recommendation, the COSC will promulgate a unified Vision and Guidance framework for all levels of professional military education and training. This is aimed at ensuring that officers across the Army, Navy and Air Force are guided by a common doctrinal and strategic outlook from the early stages of their careers to the highest levels of command and staff training.
The second approved recommendation calls for the issuance of COSC Learning Outcomes for all levels of professional military education and training. These outcomes will define the competencies and knowledge expected at each stage of an officer’s professional development, ensuring appropriate weightage to education and training while also standardising joint training content and syllabi across institutions.
