Suicide Surge within Indian Armed Forces Amid BJP Government’s Policy Failure

A disturbing rise in suicide cases within the Indian military points to systemic issues, revealing a culture of mistreatment, poor leadership, and severe operational stress that is devastating soldiers’ lives.

The Indian Armed Forces are dealing with a troubling surge in suicides among its personnel, a crisis that exposes significant systemic failures within the military. Over the last decade, the number of suicides among Indian soldiers, sailors, and airmen has risen at an alarming rate, signaling widespread issues ranging from poor morale and mistreatment to severe operational stress and corruption.

Between 2014 and 2024, the Indian Army reported 983 suicides, the Indian Air Force (IAF) 246, and the Indian Navy 96, translating to over 100 non-combat deaths each year—more than one every third day. Shockingly, these suicides and fratricides have outnumbered combat fatalities, raising serious concerns about the well-being of the forces.

According to a 2019–2020 study by the United Service Institution (USI), the rising suicide rates are driven by a combination of subpar training, excessive workloads, and the intense psychological distress soldiers face due to unrelenting operational and non-operational stress. This problem is compounded by systemic neglect and poor leadership within the ranks.

In 2022, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt revealed that the Indian Army had recorded 642 suicides in the last five years alone, with the IAF and Navy also reporting significant numbers. These statistics underscore a persistent crisis that the Indian military has failed to address over time. Between 2010 and 2019, the Indian Army saw 895 suicides, while the IAF recorded 185 and the Navy 32.

The crisis extends beyond the regular armed forces. According to The Quint, between 2017 and 2019, there were 345 suicides among personnel in the Civil Armed Forces (CAF), alongside 25 fratricides between 2019 and 2021. These figures reflect a deeper sense of discontent within India’s military structure, where stalled promotions, biased postings, and a lack of career progression have led to frustration and breakdowns among soldiers.

Prolonged deployments in remote and conflict-ridden areas have only intensified feelings of isolation and alienation, with many troops reporting severe mental health issues stemming from the harsh conditions. Additionally, poor leadership and a toxic culture of mistreatment and harassment from superiors have fueled resentment, making the military environment even more stressful. Soldiers’ personal issues, such as family and financial struggles, which were once supported by military leadership, are now largely ignored, further contributing to their psychological distress.

Moreover, widespread corruption and mismanagement within the military have resulted in inadequate provisions for troops. Poor food quality, insufficient rations, and a lack of basic resources have only worsened morale, leaving soldiers feeling neglected and devalued. Bureaucratic inefficiencies, including overburdened commitments, frequent postings, unfair promotions, and denials of leave, have led many soldiers to feel exploited and disposable.

The crisis in the Indian military reflects a broader pattern of institutional failure, where neglected personnel welfare, abusive leadership, and a lack of professionalism have pushed soldiers to the brink. The Indian Armed Forces, which have long been seen as a pillar of national security, are now grappling with a growing internal collapse, as more and more soldiers take their own lives in the face of overwhelming pressures.