The Army Educational Corps (AEC) is undergoing a significant change and will now be known as the Army Knowledge & Enablers Corps.
This renaming comes with a focused directive to prioritize cyber, information technology, perception management, and linguistics, including expertise in Mandarin, Burmese, and other languages. This move is part of the broader “transformation” initiative within the 12-lakh strong force.
The restructuring of the AEC, which has received approval from the defence ministry, aims to furnish the Army with specialized professionals in these specific areas. These dedicated specialists will be instrumental in leveraging their expertise to address evolving operational requirements, according to senior officers.
Originally established to ensure that soldiers met a minimum educational standard, this segment of the Army, consisting of approximately 3,500 officers and personnel, now requires a new focus as most soldiers have completed at least a decade of schooling.
When the Army Educational Corps (AEC) transitions into the Army Knowledge & Enablers Corps (AKEC), it will evolve into a corps of experts possessing advanced language skills.
Given the significance of language proficiency, particularly considering regional dynamics, the AKEC is contemplating the inclusion of approximately a dozen languages.
While the specific languages are yet to be finalized, potential candidates include Mandarin, which is widely spoken in China, Tibetan, Pashtu, Dzongkha (spoken in Bhutan), Sindhi, Burmese, and possibly other languages spoken in Myanmar, such as Shan and Arakanese. Consequently, Army personnel will specialize in languages prevalent in neighbouring regions, a task that is undeniably challenging.
For example, the proficiency in Dari, an Afghan language with Persian roots, is relatively scarce in India, including within the Army. However, understanding such languages holds strategic importance, especially in anticipation of future crises.
The necessity for such language skills was evident during the Kargil war when soldiers of the Northern Light Infantry communicated in local dialects. While many Army personnel are currently undergoing language training, this marks the first instance where an entire subgroup of the Army will be dedicated to mastering critical languages.
It is anticipated that language instructors will hail from various regions across the country.
Should the need arise, specialists from overseas may be enlisted. Beyond linguistic capabilities, the AKEC will also undertake other significant responsibilities aligned with the demands of the contemporary era. While the proposal is prepared and securing funding seems feasible, government approval remains pending.
