The United Service Institution of India was founded in 1870 by a soldier scholar, Colonel (later Major General) Sir Charles MacGregor. The story of its growth is the story of the growth of the Indian Armed Forces. It was founded for ‘furtherance of interest and knowledge in the art, science and literature of the Defence Services.’

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Lieutenant General PS Bhagat Memorial Esay Competition


Brief. The United Service Institution of India (USI) – Lt Gen PS Bhagat Memorial Essay Competition is an annual intellectual initiative instituted to honour the distinguished leadership legacy of Lieutenant General Premindra Singh Bhagat, PVC. The competition serves as a platform to encourage analytical thinking, scholarly writing, and informed debate on issues related to military leadership, national security, and strategic affairs. Open to serving and retired military personnel, civil servants, scholars, researchers, academicians, and students, the competition seeks to bring together diverse perspectives from both the professional military and academic communities. Through this initiative, USI promotes rigorous intellectual engagement and contributes to the development of a vibrant culture of strategic writing and research.

Relevance. The essay competition holds significant relevance in strengthening professional military education and strategic scholarship in India. By encouraging participants to critically examine contemporary challenges in leadership, security, and warfare, it promotes deeper reflection on the evolving character of conflict and the responsibilities of military leadership. The competition also provides an important forum for emerging scholars and practitioners to present original ideas and perspectives, thereby enriching the broader discourse on defence and strategic studies. In doing so, it helps bridge the gap between academic analysis and practical military experience, while nurturing a community committed to informed strategic thinking.

Aim. The aim of the USI–Lt Gen PS Bhagat Memorial Essay Competition is to promote intellectual inquiry, original research, and professional discourse on military leadership and strategic issues, while commemorating the enduring values of leadership, courage, and service exemplified by Lt Gen PS Bhagat. The competition seeks to encourage thoughtful analysis, cultivate a tradition of strategic writing, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of defence and security studies.