The Cost of Silence: Why Indian Soldiers Are Taking Their Own Lives

New Delhi, India – The Indian Armed Forces, once considered a formidable institution, are now grappling with an alarming surge in suicides, rampant corruption, and deteriorating morale. A soldier dies by suicide nearly every third day, exposing a deep-seated crisis within the military ranks. Meanwhile, high-ranking officers continue to be embroiled in financial scandals, further eroding trust in the leadership.

A Mental Health Crisis in Uniform

The statistics paint a grim picture—between 2014 and 2024, over 1,325 military personnel took their own lives, with the Indian Army recording 983 suicides, the Indian Air Force (IAF) 246, and the Navy 96. This translates to more than 100 deaths annually in non-combat situations, underscoring a growing mental health crisis within the forces.

Analysts attribute these suicides to poor human resource management, excessive workloads, and a lack of psychological support for personnel. Soldiers face relentless pressures, humiliation from superiors, and an environment where professional grievances are often ignored. The high suicide rate highlights the urgent need for reforms in military mental health policies and working conditions.

Also See: Rising Suicide Rates in Indian Armed Forces Raise Alarming Concerns

A Deep-Rooted Culture of Corruption

Compounding this crisis is the shocking extent of corruption within the Indian military. Investigations have revealed that over 1,800 cases of corruption have been reported between 2000 and 2023, involving top-ranking officers. The scale of financial irregularities is staggering, with over $20 billion lost in defense procurement fraud, recruitment scams, and disproportionate asset holdings.

Former IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi confessed to accepting INR 36 billion ($600 million) in bribes from Augusta Westland for the supply of 12 AW101 helicopters. Similarly, Air Chief Marshal SK Sareen was implicated in accumulating illicit wealth from the Sukhoi deal. High-ranking officers like Maj Gen AK Shari and Brig Bhuvanagiri have been found guilty of amassing vast properties through dubious means.

In 2023, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) ordered a CBI probe against Maj Gen Ashok Kumar and Maj Gen S Lamba, who were accused of accepting bribes for promotions and possessing disproportionate assets. The Agnipath Scheme, introduced under the guise of providing employment, has also become a tool for corruption, with allegations that its beneficiaries are linked to political parties.

A Declining Military Standard

The consequences of mismanagement and corruption are visible in the declining standards of training and professionalism within the forces. Soldiers frequently complain about substandard food, delayed salaries, and poor working conditions, even as their superiors indulge in luxury. Reports suggest that political interference and the rise of Hindutva ideology have further blurred the lines between military duty and political loyalty, eroding the institution’s integrity.

Meanwhile, senior officers have allegedly colluded with smugglers and local police in narco-arms trafficking across the Line of Control (LoC). Fake encounters, such as the killing of Abrar Hussain in Handwara, are reportedly staged to justify corruption and secure financial rewards.

The widespread discontent is evident in the mass resignations, with over 47,000 personnel from the Civil Armed Forces quitting between 2016 and 2020 due to stagnated careers and unbearable service conditions.

A Hollow Institution

The Indian military’s toxic culture, marked by humiliation, stalled promotions, and unaddressed grievances, has turned soldiers into expendables while allowing self-serving leadership to thrive. Experts warn that the combination of low morale, corruption, and mismanagement could have long-term consequences for India’s defense capabilities.

Without urgent reforms, the Indian military risks further deterioration, affecting not only its personnel but also its operational effectiveness. As suicide rates rise and corruption scandals continue to unfold, the Indian military faces an urgent reckoning—one that demands immediate reforms to restore trust, discipline, and dignity within the ranks.