Government today said the three services were facing a shortage of 14,299 officers and 6593 officers had sought premature retirement from their respective forces in the last five years. "The Army, Air Force and the Navy were facing a shortage of 11,387, 1512 and 1400 officers respectively," Defence Minister A K Antony said in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha. "During the last five years, 4300 officers from the Army, 1177 officers from the Air Force and 1096 officers from the Navy have sought premature retirement," he added. Premature retirement, the Minister said, was considered on grounds of non-empanelment, suppression, permanent low medical category and compassionate grounds. Meanwhile, replying to another query, he said that there were 4,372 vacancies for officers and 49,913 vacancies for personnel below officer ranks in the three services and the Coast Guard. He also said that the Defence Ministry had taken various steps to motivate personnel to continue in service and attract youth to join the armed forces. Antony said the implementation of the Sixth pay commission will help in making the services more attractive for the youth.
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