Bot at 19:38, 6 December 2022

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{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Judge Advocate General's Department
|image = JAG India.jpg
|image_size = 180px
| dates =
| country = India
| motto = ''Nyaya Eva Dharm'' ('Justice alone in the Supreme Duty' at any cost and under all circumstances)
| commander1 = [[Judge Advocate General (India)|Judge Advocate General]]
| commander1_label = JAG
| specialization = Military law, military justice and dealing with court martials
}}
The '''Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Department''' is the legal branch of the [[Indian Army]]. It deals with military related disciplinary cases and litigation and assists in providing legal assistance to the army in human rights matters and the rule of law among other things.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=174670|title=Judge Advocate General’s Department celebrates Thirty Fourth Corps Day|last=Tuli|first=Manoj|date=21 December 2017|website=pib.gov.in|access-date=2020-03-18}}</ref> The department consists of legally qualified Army officers who are educated in military law and provide legal help to the military in all aspects.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Vijayakumar|first=Hazeeda|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/education/careers/legal-counsel-for-the-army/article5179491.ece|title=Legal counsel for the Army|date=2013-09-29|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-03-18|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The department supports the [[Judge Advocate General (India)|Judge Advocate General]] who is the legal and judicial chief of India and advises the [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]] of legal matters. The JAG's Department is also responsible for emerging fields of military law such as those related to cyber laws, space laws, terrorism and human rights violations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/army-commends-judge-advocate-generals-role-in-combating-violence/articleshow/45602584.cms?from=mdr|title=Army commends Judge Advocate General's role in combating violence|date=2014-12-22|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2020-03-18}}</ref> The service rendered in the JAG's Department are considered to be Judicial service as per the regulations for the Indian Army.

== History ==

The JAG's Department traces its history to the British [[Articles of War]]-1385 and the evolution of military law. The corps day of the JAG is the day the Bill of the [[Army Act, 1950|Army Act]] was laid in Parliament, 21 December 1949.<ref name=":0" /> Women were only eligible for appointment as officers in JAG after January 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.jagran.com/india/same-efficiency-as-men-sc-grants-permanent-commission-to-women-officers-in-indian-navy-10009729|title='Same efficiency as men': SC grants permanent commission to women officers in Indian Navy|date=2020-03-17|website=Jagran English|access-date=2020-03-18}}</ref> The JAG also provides for permanent commission for women officers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/understanding-the-inner-workings-and-selection-process-of-army/story-7vR5TIr6qjZnn24gzS0MyK.html|title=Understanding the inner workings and selection process of army|last=Hasnain (Retd)|first=Lt Gen Syed Ata|date=2020-02-18|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-03-18}}</ref> Colonel Leena Gaurav became the First lady officer of the JAG Br to pick up the rank of Colonel .

== Recruitment ==

=== Selection ===

Every year the Indian Army releases a notification for law graduates between the ages of 21 and 27 for Short Service Commission to the department of JAG. Requirements include an LL.B. degree and be eligible for registration with the [[Bar Council of India]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/jobs/indian-army-invites-applications-from-law-graduates-for-jag-entry-scheme-2166000|title=Indian Army Invites Applications From Law Graduates For JAG Entry Scheme|date=18 January 2020|editor-last=Baral|editor-first=Maitree|website=NDTV|access-date=2020-03-18}}</ref> There are only ten posts in total, seven for men and three for women.<ref name=":1" /> The Directorate General of Recruiting is part of the selection process.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indialegallive.com/viewpoint/judge-advocate-general-office-an-age-for-everything-53328|title=Judge Advocate General Office: An Age for Everything|last=Kumar|first=Maj Gen Nilendra|date=19 August 2018|website=India Legal|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-18}}</ref>

=== Induction training ===

Selected candidates will go through 49 weeks of pre-commission training at [[Officers Training Academy|Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai]].<ref name=":2" /> On successful completion candidates will be awarded 'Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies' by [[University of Madras]].<ref name=":2" />

=== Deployment ===

After grant of commission and basic training the law graduates are attached to infantry units at border locations and function like their fellow soldiers. This two year exposure is intended to inculcate the practical aspects of military law, and exposure to military routine important to understand the future impacts their military orders may have.<ref name=":3" />

== Women in Army legal services ==

In November 2019, Lt Col Jyoti Sharma became the first woman officer from the JAG's Department to be assigned a foreign mission. She has been appointed as a legal military expert to the [[Government of Seychelles]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/lt-col-jyoti-sharma-appointed-as-armys-first-female-jag-officer-to-be-deployed-on-foreign-mission/articleshow/72053338.cms|title=Lt Col Jyoti Sharma appointed as Army's first female JAG officer to be deployed on foreign mission|date=14 November 2019|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-03-18}}</ref>

Colonel Amit Kumar and Colonel Annu Dogra who were the first Service JAG married spouse couple of the Indian Armed Forces.

== See also ==
* [[Armed Forces Tribunal]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Indian Army arms and services}}

[[Category:Military of India]]
[[Category:Indian military appointments]]
[[Category:Law of India]]
[[Category:Legal occupations in the military]]

{{india-law-stub}}

Judge Advocate General's Department India - Revision history

Bot at 19:38, 6 December 2022