How To Join Rashtriya Rifles in 2023
The Rashtriya Rifles (RR) is a specialized branch of the Indian Army operating under the Defence Ministry. Created in 1990, the RR primarily focuses on counter-insurgency efforts, specifically in the Jammu and Kashmir regions. Their main duty is to uphold public order in the area, employing the Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990 (AFSPA) when necessary.
- In the beginning, there were certain weaknesses in terms of class and composition within the Rashtriya Rifles (RR). However, despite these initial challenges, the first RR units managed to perform satisfactorily.
- Given the nature of the insurgency, RR units were established on an inclusive, all-class basis.
- This approach involved recruiting troops from various parts of the Indian Army, essentially forming a paramilitary force.
- The intention was to ensure a lack of bias based on class or regional characteristics, promoting a more effective response to the insurgency.
- Considering this, it was decided to alter the basic composition of the RR battalions. Instead of its units being composed of troops from all over the army, at least two RR battalions were made an integral part of each of the infantry regiments and other arms.
The RR units are covered under four “Counter Insurgency Force” (CIF) HQs. Each CIF is responsible for an area of the Kashmir Valley and Jammu Division. Earlier, there were originally four CIFs, until the RR raised a fifth “Uniform” force in 2003–04.
Headquarters of Rashtriya Rifles
Given below are the headquarters of Rashtriya Rifles along with the areas –
- Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) R / Romeo Force – Rajouri and Poonch
- Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) D / Delta Force – Doda
- Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) V / Victor Force – Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Budgam
- Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) K / Kilo Force – Kupwara, Baramulla and Srinagar
- Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) U / Uniform Force – Udhampur and Banihal
The areas covered by the Counter Insurgency Forces are divided into sectors, which are –
- Sector 1 – Anantnag district
- Sector 2 – Kulgam district
- Sector 3 – Manasbal Lake
- Sector 4 – Doda district
- Sector 5 – Baramulla district
- Sector 6 – Poonch district
- Sector 7 – Kupwara district
- Sector 8 – Kupwara district
- Sector 9 – Kishtwar district
- Sector 10 – Baramulla district
- Sector 11 – Banihal
- Sector 12 – Budgam district
RR Battalions
Rashtriya Rifles comprises 65 battalions. Known RR battalion affiliations include:
- 1 RR – Mahar Regiment
- 2 RR – Sikh Light Infantry
- 3 RR – Jammu & Kashmir Rifles
- 4 RR – Bihar Regiment
- 5 RR – Jat Regiment
- 7 RR – Punjab Regiment
- 9 RR – Rajputana Rifles
- 10 RR – Rajput Regiment
- 11 RR – Dogra Regiment
- 12 RR – The Grenadiers
- 13 RR – Kumaon Regiment
- 14 RR – Garhwal Rifles
- 15 RR – 1 Gorkha Rifles
- 17 RR – Maratha Light Infantry
- 19 RR – Sikh Light Infantry
- 20 RR – Dogra Regiment
- 21 RR – Brigade of the Guards
- 22 RR – Punjab Regiment
- 23 RR – Rajput Regiment
- 24 RR – Bihar Regiment
- 25 RR – Army Air Defence
- 26 RR – Kumaon Regiment
- 27 RR – Maratha Light Infantry
- 28 RR – Jammu & Kashmir Rifles
- 29 RR – The Grenadiers
- 30 RR – Mahar Regiment
- 31 RR – Parachute Regiment
- 32 RR – 3 Gorkha Rifles
- 34 RR – Jat Regiment
- 35 RR – Assam Regiment
- 36 RR – Garhwal Rifles
- 37 RR – Punjab Regiment
- 38 RR – Madras Regiment
- 39 RR – The Grenadiers
- 40 RR- Dogra and Artillery
- 41 RR – Maratha Light Infantry
- 42 RR – Assam Regiment
- 44 RR – Rajput Regiment
- 45 RR – Jat Regiment
- 46 RR – Sikh Regiment
- 47 RR – Bihar Regiment
- 48 RR – Garhwal Rifles
- 50 RR – Kumaon Regiment
- 51 RR – Mahar Regiment
- 52 RR – Jammu & Kashmir Rifles
- 53 RR – Punjab Regiment
- 55 RR – The Grenadiers
- 56 RR – Maratha Light Infantry
- 59 RR – Assam Regiment
- 60 RR – Naga Regiment
- 61 RR – Jat Regiment
- 62 RR – Dogra Regiment
- 63 RR -Bihar Regiment
- Each infantry regiment of the Indian Army consists of at least two RR battalions.
- Soldiers and officers from the regiment are deputed to the RR battalions for two to three years.
- Therefore it is not possible to join the RR directly as personnel must first join a regiment before they can serve in the RR.
- RR personnel gets 25% more salary than regular army personnel and additional benefits, thus often making it a favourable deputation
How To Join The RR?
The first thing that is very important to be noticed is that there is no direct recruitment to get recruited into Rashtriya Rifles. It means that the personnel must serve in the regular army as a Jawan or an Officer.
Rather, there are at least two RR battalions in each infantry regiment of the Indian Army, and troops and officers from the regiment are deputed to the RR battalions for two to three years. Because personnel must first enlist in a regiment before they may serve in the RR, it is therefore not possible to join the RR immediately. Everyone is willing to go for deputation as RR personnel earn 25% more money than regular army personnel and also get additional benefits.