New Delhi: The Army on Tuesday issued a fresh appeal to the Punjab youth to join the Sikh Regiment, amid growing concern over declining recruitment from the state.
Senior military officers have warned that inadequate enrolment of Sikh youth is leading to manpower shortages across several battalions of the regiment, one of the most decorated units in the Army. Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann had earlier acknowledging the problem and attributed it to migration and rising drug addiction among the youth.
What’s driving the decline?
- Rising migration: A growing number of Punjabi youths are moving to countries like Canada, UK, Australia and US in search of better economic opportunities.
- Drug abuse: Punjab continues to grapple with a serious drug addiction problem, which affects both physical fitness and employability, making many young men ineligible.
- Changing career aspirations: Younger generations are increasingly preferring private-sector jobs and entrepreneurship over the traditional attraction of a long, stable Army career.
Why the Sikh Regiment matters
The Sikh Regiment is among the most decorated infantry regiments in the Army. It has participated in all major conflicts, including the two World Wars, the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars, and the 1999 Kargil conflict.
In January 2026, seven battalions were awarded unit citations.
Army’s renewed outreach
In its latest appeal, the Army urged Punjab’s youth to revive the region’s deep-rooted warrior tradition, tracing it back to Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh. The Army said the “true strength” of the regiment lies in Punjab’s youth and stressed that military service offers leadership, stability, career growth and national pride.
“The true strength of the Regiment lies in the youth of Punjab, who proudly carry forward the warrior traditions passed down through generations. Despite certain manpower-related challenges, the Sikh Regiment continues to demonstrate high standards of performance and consistently meets the Indian Army’s elevated expectations,” said a defence spokesperson on Tuesday.
Why it matters
For decades, Punjab — particularly the Jat Sikh community — has been a cornerstone of India’s infantry strength. The Sikh Regiment has 20 regular battalions and three Territorial Army battalions. It also has a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion affiliated to the regiment. Continued decline in recruitment threatens the manpower structure of elite regiments like the Sikh Regiment.