Mizoram CM flags off 144 Mizo youth into Territorial Army, thanks Modi and Shah
Synopsis
Mizoram has secured its first dedicated Territorial Army battalion, with CM Lalduhoma flagging off 144 recruits — including 9 women — after personally lobbying the Centre to double the initial quota from 70 to 144. With more recruitment planned by September, this marks a significant shift in how the Northeast state engages with national defence institutions.
Key Takeaways
Mizoram CM Lalduhoma flagged off 144 Mizo recruits — 135 men and 9 women — into the 166 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army on Monday, 11 May 2025 .
The Centre initially approved 70 personnel ; sustained negotiations by the CM doubled the quota to 144 before recruitment began.
Recruits depart for Shillong on 15 May ; male recruits train in Shillong, female recruits in Bengaluru .
A new recruitment advertisement is expected around September 2025 , with efforts ongoing to expand quotas further.
CM Lalduhoma thanked PM Modi , HM Amit Shah , Defence Minister Rajnath Singh , and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi for the approval.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Monday flagged off the first batch of 144 Mizo youths — 135 men and 9 women — selected for induction into the 166 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army (Home & Hearth), Assam, at the Assembly Annexe Building Conference Hall in Aizawl. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi for approving the recruitment, calling it a proud and historic moment for the state.
A Historic First for Mizoram
Chief Minister Lalduhoma, a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer turned politician, acknowledged that he was initially unaware of the Territorial Army. After learning about it, he said he immediately appealed to the Central government to sanction a dedicated Mizo Battalion. The Centre initially granted permission to recruit 70 personnel, but sustained negotiations resulted in the approval being doubled to 144 personnel — even before the recruitment process formally began.
Lt. Col. (Retd) Clement Lalhmingthanga, MLA of Champhai South Assembly constituency and Chairman of the Territorial Army (TA) Establishment and Coordination Committee, described the formation of the Mizo Territorial Army as a historic achievement that will be remembered in Mizoram's history. He credited the Chief Minister's sustained initiative as the driving force behind the milestone.
Training Schedule and Deployment
The 144 recruits are scheduled to depart for Shillong, Meghalaya on 15 May to complete the necessary formalities before formal training begins next month. The 135 male recruits will undergo training in Shillong, while the 9 female recruits will proceed to Bengaluru for their training. Addressing the recruits, Lalduhoma urged them to serve as pioneers and representatives of Mizo youth, and to uphold the values and character of the Mizo people wherever they go.
What Officials Said
Mizoram Home Minister K. Sapdanga, who also addressed the gathering, said the Territorial Army combines civilian excellence with military discipline, offering honour, dignity, and character-building opportunities to its members. He urged the recruits to carry out their responsibilities faithfully and reminded them that
Point of View
Not the Centre, which is itself a notable dynamic. For a region where civil-military relations have historically been complicated, this induction — especially the inclusion of 9 women — carries symbolic weight beyond the numbers. The real test will be whether the September recruitment drive delivers on the promise of scale, and whether the Territorial Army framework translates into lasting economic and disciplinary dividends for Mizo youth.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 166 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army that Mizoram recruits have joined?
The 166 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army (Home & Hearth), Assam is a part-time military unit under the Territorial Army framework, designed to allow civilians to serve in national defence while continuing their civilian lives. The Mizoram government lobbied the Centre to sanction a dedicated Mizo battalion within this structure, resulting in the induction of 144 recruits.
How many Mizo youth have been recruited into the Territorial Army?
A total of 144 Mizo youth — 135 men and 9 women — have been recruited in the first batch. The Centre initially approved 70 personnel, but negotiations by CM Lalduhoma resulted in the quota being doubled to 144 before recruitment formally began.
When and where will the Territorial Army recruits from Mizoram begin training?
The recruits will depart for Shillong, Meghalaya on 15 May 2025 to complete formalities, with formal training beginning next month. The 135 male recruits will train in Shillong, while the 9 female recruits will proceed to Bengaluru for their training.
Will there be more Territorial Army recruitment from Mizoram?
Yes, efforts are ongoing to secure additional recruitment quotas. Lt. Col. (Retd) Clement Lalhmingthanga indicated that a new recruitment advertisement could be released around September 2025, and CM Lalduhoma has encouraged more Mizo youth to consider joining.
Why did CM Lalduhoma push for a Mizo Territorial Army battalion?
Lalduhoma said he personally learned about the Territorial Army and immediately saw it as an opportunity for Mizo youth — offering employment, discipline, and a path to national service. He described the induction as a historic day for Mizoram and urged recruits to serve as ambassadors of Mizo values.
