Army ready to set up youth training centres across Telangana
The initiative is aimed at preparing local youth for nationwide Army recruitment drives, while the Southern Command has also assured greater support for flood rescue and rehabilitation operations.
Lieutenant General C. Rajesh Pushkar met Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy as a courtesy call in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies Uttam Kumar Reddy and senior Army officials, including Major General Srinivas Rao, also participated in the meeting.
HYDERABAD: The Indian Army is ready to establish training centres at district headquarters across Telangana to prepare local youth for upcoming nationwide Army recruitment drives, following discussions between Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Lieutenant General C. Rajesh Pushkar, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command.
Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar met the Chief Minister as a courtesy call. Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies Uttam Kumar Reddy and senior Army officials, including Major General Srinivas Rao, also participated in the meeting.
During the meeting, Revanth Reddy said the Telangana government was prepared to collaborate with the Army to encourage more youth from the state to participate in recruitment opportunities.
The Chief Minister proposed that training programmes be conducted at suitable district headquarters so that young people could receive preparation closer to their homes and have better access to Army recruitment drives conducted across the country.
Responding positively to the proposal, Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar expressed his willingness to establish training centres for youth at various district headquarters ahead of nationwide recruitment drives.
The proposed district-level training network could provide an opportunity for more young people, particularly those from areas outside Hyderabad, to prepare for recruitment requirements without having to travel long distances for training.
The meeting also focused on the Indian Army’s role during natural disasters, particularly in flood-affected areas of Telangana.
The Chief Minister urged the Army to take a more active role in rescue operations during disasters, including evacuating people from vulnerable areas to safer locations and supporting rehabilitation efforts after floods.
Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar assured the Chief Minister that he would instruct local Army officials to take special initiative during disaster situations in Telangana.
The discussion comes against the backdrop of the Army’s broader role in providing assistance to civil authorities during emergencies, where military resources and trained personnel can support evacuation, rescue and relief operations when local capacities come under pressure.
The Chief Minister also discussed the Musi River rejuvenation project with the Army commander.
Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar commended the Telangana government’s flagship initiative, describing the revival of the Musi River as essential for protecting Hyderabad, reducing pollution and restoring the historical significance of the river.
The interaction brought together two areas where the state government sees scope for greater engagement with the Army — creating structured opportunities for young people to enter the armed forces and strengthening the Army’s support during major disaster situations.
For Telangana’s youth, the proposed district-level training centres could create a more accessible pathway to Army recruitment, while for the state administration, closer coordination with the Southern Command could strengthen emergency-response capabilities during floods and other disasters.
The meeting concluded with an emphasis on continued cooperation between the Telangana government and the Indian Army on youth development, recruitment preparedness and disaster management.
