Raksha Rajya Mantri (Minister of State for Defence) Shri Sanjay Seth visited the headquarters of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), located in Simla, Himachal Pradesh, on June 09, 2025. The strategic visit underscores the nation’s commitment and continued focus on operational readiness, refining military doctrine, and the digital integration and transformation of India’s land warfare capabilities.
During his visit, Shri Sanjay Seth was briefed by Lt Gen Devendra Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) ARTRAC, on the Command’s critical responsibilities in the Indian Army’s institutional training ecosystem. ARTRAC, a premier pillar of the Indian Army’s training infrastructure, oversees 34 prestigious training establishments across the nation, playing a decisive role in doctrinal formulation, concept development, and leadership cultivation.
What Is The ARTRAC?
The Army Training Command, or ARTRAC, is one of the key operational commands of the Indian Army, tasked with overseeing the development of military doctrine, innovation in training, and the formulation of strategic leadership. It was established on 1 October 1991 at Mhow, in Madhya Pradesh, and later moved to Simla on 31 March 1993. The central objective of the command is to maximize the effectiveness of the training.
In 2020, the government decided to merge ARTRAC with the Directorate General of Military Training (DGMT) to ensure the continuous evolution of military thought. As such, ARTRAC remains integral to maintaining the Indian Army’s combat effectiveness in the 21st century.
Institutionalized Training & Doctrinal Development At ARTRAC
The visit led the Raksha Rajya Mantri to appreciate the initiatives taken by the ARTRAC, particularly towards the development and refinement of military doctrines that address both contemporary and emerging threats. From counter-insurgency operations to conventional warfare preparedness, ARTRAC ensures that the Indian Army remains aligned with the evolving nature of the battlefield. These efforts are grounded in comprehensive scenario-based simulations, war gaming, and academic research, underscoring the Army’s shift towards knowledge-centric warfare.
In line with the Integrated Capability Development Plan (ICDP), ARTRAC’s training modules emphasize adaptability, jointness, and force multiplication strategies. Additionally, the integration of Artificial Intelligence, battlefield management systems, and network-centric operations remains at the forefront of ARTRAC’s ongoing doctrinal initiatives.
Raksha Rajya Mantri Nods To Digital Advancements and Leadership Development Programs
Commending ARTRAC’s efforts, the Raksha Rajya Mantri lauded its initiatives in enabling strategic leadership through digitized training platforms, adaptive simulation environments, and real-time tactical decision-making tools. He particularly emphasized the Command’s success in promoting self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta) by integrating indigenous defense technologies in alignment with the Digital India Mission.
The Raksha Rajya Mantri underscored the role of ARTRAC in cultivating future-ready military leaders capable of commanding tri-service operations in an integrated theater command structure.
Operation Sindoor: A Pillar Of Military Jointness
While addressing officers and personnel at Headquarters ARTRAC, the Raksha Rajya Mantri emphasized the importance of tri-service synergy, citing the recent Operation Sindoor as a hallmark of integrated force application. The operation, characterized by seamless coordination between the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, demonstrated India’s resolve in combating terrorism and neutralizing foreign-aided threats.
Operation Sindoor further validated India’s shift toward joint operational doctrines and reaffirmed the strategic utility of inter-service interoperability in responding to modern conflict theaters. It stands as a testament to India’s proactive counter-terrorism policy and commitment to maintaining regional stability.
NCC and Sainik School Expansion Along With Veteran Welfare In The Future
Shri Seth reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening the National Cadet Corps (NCC) by expanding it by 300,000 Cadets. He further stated the proposed vision of the government to expand the network of Sainik Schools across India, which will serve as vital institutions for instilling discipline, patriotism, and early military orientation among the youth.
The expansion strategy aims to bolster the future officer cadre and enhance civil-military integration. Additionally, the Raksha Rajya Mantri reiterated the Centre’s unwavering focus on veteran welfare programs, emphasizing initiatives related to healthcare, pension reforms, and resettlement assistance under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare.
Indian Armed Forces And Environmental Awareness
Concluding his visit, Shri Sanjay Seth planted a sapling at the Army Heritage Museum complex as part of the nationwide “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative. The symbolic gesture reflects the government’s commitment to ecological sustainability and environmental consciousness within the Indian Armed Forces.
