Lieutenant General Girish Kalia has officially taken over as the Director General of the Territorial Army (TA), marking a significant leadership transition within the Indian Army’s reserve force. He assumed charge on December 1, 2025, during a formal ceremony held at the TA Headquarters in New Delhi.
One of his first acts in office was to pay solemn tribute to the nation’s fallen heroes at the National War Memorial. Standing before the eternal flame marked “Amar” (Immortal), the senior officer honored the supreme sacrifice of India’s Bravehearts. The Indian Army’s official X handle, @adgpi, shared photographs of the ceremony—one showing Lieutenant General Kalia seated at his desk with the ceremonial baton, and another capturing his moment of reflection at the memorial.
Distinguished Military Career
Commissioned into the Madras Regiment on December 14, 1991, from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Lieutenant General Kalia brings more than three decades of rich operational and strategic experience. His career highlights include:
- Commanding the elite Vajr Division in 2023
- Serving as Defence Attaché in Egypt, strengthening India’s military diplomacy
- Earning multiple honours, including the
- GOC-in-C Northern Command Commendation Card (2001)
- Southern Command Commendation Card (2009)
- Vishisht Seva Medal (2020) for leadership along the Line of Control
Role and Importance of the Territorial Army
As Director General, Lieutenant General Kalia will lead a volunteer reserve force comprising nearly 40,000 personnel. The TA plays a pivotal role in:
- Relieving regular Army units from static duties
- Supporting civil authorities during natural disasters
- Providing additional operational support to the Indian Army
Following the 2020 restructuring by the Chief of Defence Staff, the TA has expanded responsibilities in operational readiness and intelligence support—enhancing the nation’s cost-efficient defense capability amid evolving regional security dynamics, including the 2020–2022 China–India tensions.
A New Chapter of Leadership
Lieutenant General Kalia’s immediate tribute at the National War Memorial reflects his commitment to the TA’s legacy, which includes contributions in major conflicts such as:
- 1962 Sino-Indian War
- 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani Wars
- 1999 Kargil War
The Indian Army and the wider defence fraternity have warmly congratulated Lieutenant General Kalia, with social media posts praising his leadership and service. As he takes command, expectations are high for strengthened operational efficiency and deeper integration of the TA within India’s defence framework.
