Territorial Army KYTA Seminar 2025 kicks off in Kolkata with MoUs, cyber talks
Synopsis
The Territorial Army stepped out of the barracks and into Kolkata's civic space on 27 August, opening a two-day seminar aimed at broadening public awareness and signing MoUs with seven institutions. With panels on governance, cyber warfare, and sustainability — and cultural troupes from the northeast adding colour — the event signals a deliberate effort to reposition the Territorial Army as a force for national resilience, not just military reserve.
Key Takeaways
The KYTA Seminar and TA 2.0 Symposium opened at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium, Kolkata on 27 August 2025 .
Lt Gen Gambhir Singh , Chief of Staff, Eastern Command, inaugurated the two-day event.
The Territorial Army signed MoUs with seven partner institutions during the event.
Two panel sessions covered nation-building roles and technology, sustainability, and innovation.
School students and NCC cadets attended a dedicated 'Cyber Warrior' lecture on cyber security and cyber warfare.
An evening cultural showcase highlighted the diversity of India's northeastern states .
The two-day Know Your Territorial Army (KYTA) Seminar and TA 2.0 Symposium commenced at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata on Thursday, 27 August, bringing together senior defence officers, academics, industry leaders, environmentalists, school students, and NCC cadets for an immersive look at the Territorial Army's expanding role. The event is designed to encourage civilian enrolment and forge new partnerships with industry to modernise the force.
Inauguration and Key Figures
Lt Gen Gambhir Singh, Chief of Staff, Eastern Command, inaugurated the seminar, accompanied by Maj Gen Sujeet Shivaji Patil, Additional Director General, Territorial Army, along with senior Army officers and distinguished guests. The opening ceremony set the tone for a programme focused on the Territorial Army's evolving mandate beyond conventional military duties.
Panel Sessions: Nation-Building and Innovation
Two immersive panel discussions followed the inauguration. The first, moderated by Brig M.K. Patel, examined the Territorial Army's contributions to governance, border infrastructure, and the security of critical national assets. Panellists included former IFS officer C.P. Marak, Chairperson of the Meghalaya Lokayukta; Col S.S. Pattanaik, Commanding Officer, 113 (TA) RAJPUT; P. Rajamohan Pichai, Deputy Chief Security Commissioner, Northeast Frontier Railway; and Col Amrita, Commanding Officer, 801 Engineer Regiment (Refineries and Pipelines), Territorial Army.
The second session, moderated by Lt Col Unnat Sharma, focused on technology, sustainability, and innovation as pillars of national resilience. Speakers included Prof Basab Chakraborty from IIT Kharagpur, Dr Srikant Gollapudi from IIT Bhubaneswar, Prof Sutapa Pati, Dean, School of Sustainability, XIM University, Bhubaneswar, and Vimal Govind M.K., CEO of Genrobotics.
MoUs Signed with Seven Institutions
A significant milestone of the day was the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the Territorial Army and seven partner institutions, signalling a structured push to deepen civilian-military collaboration in areas ranging from technology to sustainability. Maj Gen Sujeet Shivaji Patil addressed delegates following the signing ceremony.
Cyber Security, Exhibition, and Cultural Showcase
A special lecture titled 'Cyber Warrior' introduced school students and NCC cadets to the fundamentals of cyber security and the evolving landscape of cyber warfare — a reflection of the Territorial Army's intent to align with modern threat environments. Students subsequently visited the KYTA exhibition hall, exploring Territorial Army unit stalls, industry pavilions, and ethnic and regional stalls.
The exhibition drew enthusiastic footfall from civilians, students, cadets, and symposium delegates throughout the day. An evening cultural programme showcased the diversity of the northeastern states, performed by cultural troupes from Territorial Army units. The seminar continues on its second day with further sessions and activities.
Point of View
Not merely a military reserve. Whether this translates into measurable enrolment gains or substantive industry partnerships will be the real test. The cyber security lecture for students is a smart touch, but the broader question — how the Territorial Army integrates with India's evolving national security architecture — remains unanswered in public discourse.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the KYTA Seminar held in Kolkata?
The Know Your Territorial Army (KYTA) Seminar and TA 2.0 Symposium is a two-day event that opened on 27 August at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata. It aims to raise public awareness about the Territorial Army, encourage civilian enrolment, and build industry partnerships to modernise the force.
Who inaugurated the KYTA Seminar in Kolkata?
Lt Gen Gambhir Singh, Chief of Staff, Eastern Command, inaugurated the event, accompanied by Maj Gen Sujeet Shivaji Patil, Additional Director General, Territorial Army, and other senior officers.
What MoUs did the Territorial Army sign at the Kolkata event?
The Territorial Army signed Memorandums of Understanding with seven partner institutions during the seminar on 27 August. The MoUs are aimed at deepening civilian-military collaboration, though specific institution names were not detailed in official communications.
What did the 'Cyber Warrior' lecture cover for students?
The special 'Cyber Warrior' lecture introduced school students and NCC cadets to the fundamentals of cyber security and the evolving nature of cyber warfare, reflecting the Territorial Army's focus on modern and emerging threat environments.
Which experts participated in the TA 2.0 Symposium panels?
Panellists included former IFS officer C.P. Marak of the Meghalaya Lokayukta, Prof Basab Chakraborty from IIT Kharagpur, Dr Srikant Gollapudi from IIT Bhubaneswar, Prof Sutapa Pati from XIM University, and Vimal Govind M.K., CEO of Genrobotics, among others.
