The Government of West Bengal has initiated the process of creating a dedicated state-level specialised force comprising 200 ex-servicemen, to be known as “Arjun Vahini”, for rapid deployment during disasters and other emergencies.
According to an official order issued by the Office of the Director of Civil Defence, Government of West Bengal, the force is being created to strengthen the state’s disaster response capability and enable the deployment of trained personnel within the crucial Golden Hour of a disaster.
The selection process for ex-servicemen is scheduled to begin on August 24, 2026, at designated venues in South Bengal and North Bengal.
What is Arjun Vahini?
The proposed Arjun Vahini will be a specialised force consisting of 200 ex-servicemen with experience, discipline and the capability to support rapid emergency response operations. As per the official communication, the force will be deployed strategically across different regions of West Bengal.
The proposed deployment includes:
- 100 personnel in Kolkata
- 50 personnel in the Sundarban region
- 25 personnel in Darjeeling
- 25 personnel in Kalimpong
The locations have been selected considering their vulnerability to different types of disasters, including:
- Urban disasters
- Cyclones
- Floods
- Landslides
- Other emergency situations requiring rapid deployment
Focus on the ‘Golden Hour’ During Disasters
One of the key objectives behind the creation of Arjun Vahini is to ensure the immediate availability of trained manpower during the Golden Hour following a disaster.
The Golden Hour is considered crucial for rescue and emergency operations, particularly when quick action can help save lives and reduce the impact of a disaster.
With trained ex-servicemen positioned in strategically important locations, the West Bengal Government aims to strengthen its ability to respond quickly to emergencies across the state.
Ex-Servicemen to Serve as ‘Veer’
The members of the proposed force will be known as “Veer”, according to the official order. The specialised force will be supervised by eight supervising officers from among ex-servicemen, who will be known as “Veer Nayak.”
This structure is expected to bring military-style discipline, leadership, coordination and operational experience to disaster response activities.
The initiative could also create an important opportunity for experienced ex-servicemen to continue contributing their skills and expertise to public service and disaster management.
Selection Committees Constituted for South and North Bengal
The Office of the Director of Civil Defence has constituted separate selection committees for the recruitment process.
South Bengal Selection Venue
The selection process for South Bengal will be held at:
Conference Hall, Office of the Controller of Civil Defence
81/2/2, Phears Lane
Kolkata – 700012
The selection committee will include:
- Shri Debasis Sarkar, IPS, Controller of Civil Defence, Kolkata – Chairman
- Lt. Col. (Dr.) Shamit Samanta, Rajya Sainik Board – Member
North Bengal Selection Venue
The North Bengal selection process will be held at:
Uttarkanya Branch Secretariat
P.O. Satellite Township
Fulbari, District Jalpaiguri
PIN – 734015
The selection committee will include:
- Shri Amitava Barma, IPS, State Commandant of WBNVF – Chairman
- Cdr. Dilip Chung, Rajya Sainik Board – Member
Selection Process Starts on August 24, 2026
According to the official order, the selection committees will start functioning at their respective venues on:
Date: August 24, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM onwards
Eligible ex-servicemen interested in becoming part of the proposed Arjun Vahini should follow further instructions issued by the concerned authorities and the Rajya Sainik Board regarding the selection process and eligibility requirements.
Why Arjun Vahini is Important for West Bengal
West Bengal faces a wide range of geographical and disaster-related challenges. The state has coastal regions vulnerable to cyclones and floods, the Sundarban area faces recurring natural disasters, while the hill districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong are prone to landslides and other emergencies.
The creation of a dedicated ex-servicemen-based rapid response force could help provide several advantages:
1. Rapid Deployment
Trained personnel can be mobilised quickly during disasters and emergencies.
2. Experienced Manpower
Ex-servicemen bring operational experience, discipline, leadership and the ability to work in difficult situations.
3. Strategic Regional Presence
The deployment of personnel in Kolkata, Sundarban, Darjeeling and Kalimpong is aimed at improving response capability across vulnerable areas.
4. Strengthening Disaster Preparedness
Arjun Vahini is expected to complement the state’s existing disaster management and civil defence mechanisms.
5. New Opportunity for Veterans
The initiative provides an opportunity for ex-servicemen to use their training and experience in a specialised public service role after retirement from the Armed Forces.
A New Role for Ex-Servicemen in Disaster Management
The proposed Arjun Vahini reflects the increasing recognition of the skills and capabilities of India’s ex-servicemen beyond their active military service.
Veterans possess valuable experience in areas such as:
- Emergency operations
- Rescue coordination
- Logistics
- Leadership
- Communication
- Working under pressure
- Team management
- Operations in difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions
Their involvement in a specialised disaster response force could strengthen the effectiveness of emergency operations while also creating a structured platform for veterans to continue serving society.
Conclusion
The formation of Arjun Vahini marks an important step towards strengthening West Bengal’s disaster preparedness and rapid response capability.
With 200 ex-servicemen proposed for deployment across Kolkata, Sundarban, Darjeeling and Kalimpong, the specialised force is expected to provide trained manpower for immediate action during disasters and emergencies.
The selection process is scheduled to begin on August 24, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at designated venues in Kolkata and North Bengal.
For ex-servicemen in West Bengal, the Arjun Vahini initiative could represent a significant opportunity to continue serving the nation and society by contributing their professional experience to disaster response and emergency management.