New Delhi, Mar 15: For those seeking government jobs, a five-year compulsory military service could be the new norm. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has recommended the step in order to address the deficiency of workforce in the armed forces.

Reports claim the Indian Army faces a shortfall of nearly 7,000 officers and 20,000 personnel below the officer-rank. Similarly, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy faces a shortfall of over 150 officers and 15,000 personnel each.

The option of making military service compulsory for future government job aspirants was earlier mulled over by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). According to an India Today report, the parliamentary panel has asked the Ministry to push the proposal with more vigour.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), a government body which works directly under the watch of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been reportedly considering the move as a last resort to address the shortfall of personnel in the armed forces.

Government of India, despite the reduced number of hirings in the past few years, continues to remain the largest employer with over 43 lakh employees. The 29 state governments have collectively employed over 2 crore people.

Over the past few years, however, the government has not only been shrinking the quantum of recruitment, but has resorted to contractual hirings -- whereby the workers are denied the payscale and other benefits as accorded to the payroll employees.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 15, 2018 03:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).