Centre reviews Chhattisgarh’s proposal to raise Bastar regiment in Indian Army

New Delhi: The defence ministry has initiated the process of examining Chhattisgarh’s proposal to establish a dedicated Bastar regiment in the Indian Army. The development follows a request submitted by the state government, with the Centre formally confirming that the proposal is under consideration.

The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, conveyed the government’s response in a letter to Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister and home minister Vijay Sharma earlier this month. The communication stated that the proposal had been received and was being processed under the prescribed procedure, although no indication was given on when a decision could be taken.

The state government has pitched the proposal as a way to recognize the contribution of tribal youth from Bastar, who have worked alongside security forces in difficult operational conditions. It argued that their experience, resilience and familiarity with challenging environments make them well suited for military service.

As per the proposal, the youth in the region have certain attributes like physical stamina, awareness of the forest terrain and experience which can be used effectively in an Army regiment. The state has argued that such attributes will improve both national security as well as internal security.

The proposal also links the idea to the broader development of Bastar by creating more opportunities for local youth to join the armed forces. It says a dedicated regiment could motivate more tribal youth to take up military service while encouraging discipline, patriotism and a sense of pride in the region.

As part of its submission, the state government also highlighted the role of Bastar’s tribal youth in specialized local forces, including the Bastar Fighters and the District Reserve Guard (DRG). Their understanding of the region’s terrain has been regarded as an important operational advantage in security-related duties.