In a departure from the Indian government’s policy of recruiting soldiers in Gurkha Rifles (GR) regiments from among Nepal-domiciled and India-domiciled Gurkhas in a 60:40 ratio, the Indian government has okayed the Indian Army’s proposal to recruit people from the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttrakhand in GR regiments.

On Saturday, Indian Express reported that the Indian authorities had approved recruitment of non-Gurkha personnel in three of the seven GR regiments.

Ashok Mehta, who retired as major general from Indian Army, told THT that the Indian government okayed the Indian Army’s proposal to recruit people from Kumaon and Garhwal in Gurkha Rifles two months ago, as it had been facing a shortfall in its Gurkha regiments for the past two years. He added that although it was a pilot project, it was a departure from the Indian government’s policy, as it could have recruited Gurkhas from Nepal to make up for the shortfall. He, however, hastened to add, “The Indian government’s move to recruit from Kumaon and Garhwal is an old policy and it has nothing to do with the current tension between India and Nepal over Nepal’s new map.”

https://thehimalayantimes.com/world/india-to-recruit-fewer-nepalis-in-army/