Indian Army internships see 1 lakh applicants for 100 positions, says Army Chief

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi addresses the 'Sena Samvad' event, at Manekshaw Centre, in New Delhi, Saturday, May 16, 2026. | Photo Credit: KAMAL KISHORE

The Indian Army has received over one lakh applications for just 100 internship positions for children, including opportunities at its headquarters and various workshops, as the armed force seeks to exploit their potential to offer simple solutions to complex problems key to the battlefield, Chief of Army Staff Upendra Dwivedi said on Saturday.

Gen Z praised as “10 times better” than previous generation

Speaking at an interactive session organised by ‘Uniform Unveiled’ at the Manekshaw Centre, General Upendra Dwivedi also praised Gen Z, saying they are 10 times better than his generation, as they are far more adaptable, socially aware, and digitally skilled. ‘

“So let me firstly concede and accept that the generation is at least 10 times better than our generation. They are much more adaptable. They’re socially aware, globally connected, and digitally fluent...The Indian Army is talking about 2026-27 as the year of networking and data centricity. We have started the internship, and we received one lakh applications for 100 vacancies,” the Army Chief said.

Army seeks simple solutions for complex battlefield problems

“Today, we have opened up all the army-based workshops, all our category A establishments, and so many headquarters for the internship of the children. Because half of the time, they come out with a simplistic solution. On the battlefield, we require a battlefield equaliser. We don’t require tank versus tank. If you give me a simple solution to a difficult problem, I think you are the ones who are going to win the battle for us,” he further said.

Push for whole-of-nation approach in future warfare

In a free-wheeling discussion, General Dwivedi also stressed the need for a “whole-of-nation approach” in future warfare, saying that coordination across institutions and clear strategic guidance are essential to strengthen national preparedness and ensure seamless integration during operations.

“When you look at the big picture, a whole-of-nation approach. How are you going to converge this complete India as a nation to fight a war? How are you going to establish the interlinkages? How are you going to provide the strategic guidance to the decision makers? Those are the big things that we are looking at while making sure that your halo effect and the reputation which you have made over a period of time comes down to a soldier or to a common citizen who is part of the whole of the nation approach whenever you go for the next operations or war,” he said.

Stern message to Pakistan on terrorism

General Dwivedi also gave a stern message to Pakistan for supporting cross-border terrorism, and said, “they have to decide whether they want to be part of the geography or history or not”.

“If you have heard me earlier, what I have said is that Pakistan, if it continues to harbour terrorists and operate against India, then they have to decide whether they want to be part of the geography or history or not,” Gen Dwivedi said.

He said that discussions on epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, along with stories of major wars such as World War II and the 1962 and 1965 conflicts, played an important role in shaping his interest in the armed forces from a young age.

Published on May 16, 2026