At first glance, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China appears formidable—a well-equipped military force backed by the world’s second-largest economy and a staggering defense budget exceeding $230 billion. Yet, beneath this veneer of military might lies a fundamental weakness that has long plagued the PLA: its reliance on conscription.
In stark contrast, India boasts the world’s largest volunteer army, a force that is not only highly professional but battle-hardened by decades of real-world operational experience. As tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) continue to simmer, this key difference raises an important question: Can a force reliant on short-term, often reluctant conscripts ever truly match the might of a professional, all-volunteer military?
A Tale of Two Militaries: The Will to Fight
For the 1.4 million-strong Indian Army, service is a choice, not an obligation. Soldiers undergo rigorous selection processes before entering a regiment, where they forge deep personal and professional bonds—bonds that translate into unit cohesion, battlefield resilience, and a deep sense of duty. The regimental system, a hallmark of India’s military tradition, ensures that soldiers remain committed to their units, fostering a culture of loyalty and camaraderie.
The PLA, by contrast, is still a conscript-heavy force, where 400,000 new recruits are inducted annually, most serving only two years before leaving the military. The result is a revolving door of inexperienced personnel who lack the combat conditioning and regimental bonds that define India’s forces. Even among those who remain in the PLA, many do so not out of commitment to military service, but as a shortcut to gaining Communist Party membership, a gateway to lucrative government positions.
The difference in morale and motivation between the two armies could not be starker. Nowhere was this more evident than during the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, when hand-to-hand combat between Indian and Chinese troops resulted in heavy Chinese casualties. Reports indicated that many PLA soldiers were unprepared for the brutal high-altitude skirmish—a direct consequence of a lack of battlefield experience and physical conditioning. Meanwhile, Indian forces, accustomed to harsh Himalayan deployments, stood their ground.
A Military Without a Combat Legacy
For all of China’s military investments, the PLA remains an untested force in modern warfare. Since its disastrous 1979 invasion of Vietnam, where it suffered tens of thousands of casualties, the PLA has had little to no real combat experience. In contrast, Indian forces have been in near-constant operational deployments, engaging in counterterrorism, high-altitude warfare, and international peacekeeping missions.
The Indian Army has fought in Siachen Glacier—the world’s highest battlefield—for over three decades, an experience unmatched by any other military.
Counterterrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as insurgencies in the Northeast, have honed the Indian Army’s ability to fight in difficult terrain.
Indian soldiers regularly serve in UN peacekeeping missions, gaining exposure to international military standards.
The PLA’s lack of combat experience is compounded by its structural deficiencies. Unlike the Indian Army, which allows on-ground commanders operational autonomy, the PLA remains rigidly controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Political loyalty is prioritized over military competence, with officers required to undergo regular ideological indoctrination sessions—a practice that undermines battlefield adaptability.
This top-down control model has raised concerns among Western military analysts. In its 2023 report on China’s military, the U.S. Department of Defense noted that the PLA’s centralised command structure slows decision-making, particularly in fast-changing combat scenarios.
The High-Altitude Handicap
China’s military doctrine places significant emphasis on technological superiority, investing heavily in drones, cyber warfare, and AI-driven command systems. But while modern warfighting increasingly incorporates such tools, high-altitude combat remains a test of human endurance and adaptability—qualities where India holds a distinct advantage.
The Indian Army has a permanent presence in the harsh Himalayan environment, with forces deployed in Siachen and the LAC year-round. Meanwhile, the PLA struggles to maintain long-term troop deployments at high altitudes.
Physiological Limitations: The Tibetan Plateau, where China’s western military forces are stationed, has low oxygen levels, leading to chronic altitude sickness among PLA troops. While the Indian Army trains its soldiers for such conditions, China has been forced to develop oxygen generators and exoskeletons to compensate for its troops’ lack of adaptation.
Logistical Shortcomings: India’s Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has built extensive road networks and forward air bases to ensure uninterrupted supply lines in high-altitude terrain. In contrast, China’s infrastructure push in Tibet remains a work in progress, with its logistical capabilities still lagging behind India’s well-established mountain supply chains.
The Crisis of Recruitment and Retention
Demographics also play a crucial role in military readiness. China, which once boasted an endless supply of manpower, now faces a shrinking youth population, thanks to decades of the One-Child Policy and an aging workforce.
The Chinese military has struggled to attract high-quality recruits, with many young Chinese preferring careers in technology and business over the PLA.
Reports indicate that local recruitment officers in China accept bribes to exempt unwilling youth from military service.
The PLA has been forced to lower recruitment standards in order to meet its conscription quotas.
In contrast, India’s young population and the prestige associated with military service ensure a steady flow of high-quality recruits. For many, joining the armed forces is a matter of pride and social mobility, particularly for youth from economically disadvantaged regions.
A Battle of Will and Experience
The PLA may enjoy technological superiority and numerical strength, but war is rarely decided by these factors alone. Morale, battlefield experience, command autonomy, and the will to fight remain critical determinants of military success.
With a highly motivated, combat-experienced, and professional force, India holds the qualitative advantage in any future conflict with China. The PLA’s reliance on short-term conscripts, rigid command structures
Both armies have the technology, but if war were to break out along the Himalayas, it would not be advanced drones or cyber warfare alone that decides the outcome—but the grit, endurance, and battle-readiness of the soldiers fighting on the ground. And in that domain, the Indian Army remains unmatched.