Lt Gen Anoop Shinghal, AVSM, SM, Director General of Recruiting in the Indian Army, visited the Madras Regimental Centre in Wellington to assess recent advancements in military training infrastructure.
During the visit, Lt Gen Shinghal was given a detailed overview of the upgraded facilities that are currently being used to train Agniveers—soldiers inducted under the Agnipath scheme introduced in 2022. With more than 100,000 Agniveers trained nationwide by the end of 2024, the Madras Regimental Centre has emerged as a key node in India’s military transformation. Established in 1794 and relocated to Wellington in 1947, the centre is one of the oldest regimental institutions in the country. Its heritage museum also provides a deep insight into the evolution of Indian military training.
Lt Gen Shinghal was accompanied by senior officers and was briefed by the Commandant of the centre about the training methodologies, recruitment progress, and the use of simulation and data-driven tools in skill development. He interacted with Agniveers undergoing training and encouraged them to uphold the highest traditions of the regiment and the Indian Army. The general officer commended the efforts made toward upgrading the centre’s capabilities to match the needs of modern warfare.
A study by the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) found that the integration of advanced training technologies has improved training outcomes by up to 30%. The Army’s emphasis on such innovations aims to prepare soldiers for dynamic battlefield scenarios, with an emphasis on faster decision-making, adaptability, and mission readiness.
Lt Gen Shinghal’s visit reflects the Army’s commitment to preparing its newest recruits through a blend of traditional regimental values and futuristic training strategies. It also underscores the Indian Army’s broader effort to modernise its human resource capabilities in line with emerging challenges in regional and global security environments.
