Currently, on joining the Territorial Army, officers have to undergo mandatory training of four months followed by two months of training every year. This is now proposed to be cut down to one month and 14 days respectively.

The young MPs hailed the proposal.

'Many politicians are keen to join the Territorial Army but considering our responsibilities towards our constituencies we can not. But this flexible training programme will solve that problem also,' Deepinder Hooda, MP from Rohtak, told IANS.

The Territorial Army is a voluntary, part-time Citizen's Army, consisting of people who are not professional soldiers but civilians eager to do their bit for the country's defence. It acts as a reserve for the regular army in times of need and draws men from the 18-42 age group.