A multi-state Territorial Army recruitment rally held in Dimapur has drawn an exceptional turnout of around 6,000 aspirants from across the Northeast, including candidates from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, reflecting growing interest in military service and improved regional mobility, officials said on Sunday.
The 15-day recruitment rally, conducted by the 113 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) – Rajput, concluded on Saturday and witnessed participation from all seven Northeastern states along with West Bengal, Sikkim and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Officials described it as one of the largest and most efficiently organised military recruitment initiatives in the region in recent years.
A senior official said the scale of participation, including youth from remote, high-altitude and previously sensitive areas, pointed to a strong sense of national aspiration and a more stable security environment enabling assured movement across the region. Candidates from island territories such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were also among those who travelled long distances to attend the rally.
The official noted that the rally stood out for the professional planning and disciplined execution demonstrated by the 113 Territorial Army Rajput. Managing thousands of candidates over two consecutive weeks, across multiple testing stations in a counter-insurgency environment, highlighted the unit’s organisational capacity and adherence to fairness, transparency and merit-based selection.
Support from the Dimapur civil administration and police played a key role in the smooth conduct of the event. Coordinated arrangements for traffic management, security and civic facilitation ensured orderly movement and safety throughout the recruitment process. Officials added that cooperation from the local population contributed to creating a safe and encouraging atmosphere for aspirants.
Several facilitation measures were introduced to assist candidates, particularly those arriving from distant and remote regions such as hill districts and island territories. These included candidate-assistance counters for documentation, special help desks for aspirants from far-flung areas, and free photocopying and mandatory-form services to reduce the risk of technical disqualification.
The recruitment process involved transparent and closely monitored Physical Fitness Tests (PFT), Physical Measurement Tests (PMT), documentation checks and medical examinations. Candidates who cleared physical events were provided essential amenities, including free food, drinking water, rest shelters and guidance booths.
Officials said the rally’s scale, precision and people-centric approach have set a benchmark for future military recruitment drives in challenging terrain and counter-insurgency conditions. The conduct of the event was described as a model for large-scale, youth-oriented employment initiatives.
According to the official, the successful completion of the rally reflects the ethos and leadership of the 113 Territorial Army Rajput and has strengthened the bond between the armed forces and civil society, while also opening avenues of opportunity for youth from diverse regions, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
