After independence, education in residential public school was out of reach for most of the officers. 1962 to 1973 saw a massive expansion of the Indian Army. Once the colour service of Jawans was increased, more and more families moved into military stations. Existing education facilities could not meet the aspirations of all ranks. Even the Central Schools (KVs) did not meet our requirement. This is when the Indian Army took upon itself an additional charter for education of wards of Army personnel. It is, however, in the late seventies that the Indian Army debated and evolved a vision for the education of the wards of Army personnel that resulted in creation of AWES.
15 Jan 1980 is a red letter day in the history of the Indian Army, when the then COAS announced the involvement of the Army to promote education for the wards of our personnel. By this time, 28 Regimental Schools and four High Schools had already come up. Army Welfare Education Organisation (AWEO) was created, thereby making a modest beginning to bring these Schools under this organisation within overall control of AG’s Branch. AWEO was registered as AWES under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 on 29 Apr 1983. A purely non profit welfare organisation.
The process of expanding the wings commenced with a mandate that we would add at least 5 Army Public Schools every year (one per Command). From a population of 20,000 children in 1987, our schools have now grown to 130 Army Public Schools and 265 Shaurya Army Pre Schools spread across the country with a population of more than two lac children. Nearly 5000 children are added each year to our schools.1994 was yet another milestone that the Army is proud of, when Late Gen BC Joshi, the then COAS, took a bold and far reaching decision to set up our first Professional College – Army Institute of Technology (AIT), Pune. This indeed was the seed that was to inspire us in years to come. Thereafter AWES added almost one College every year with 13 Colleges at present, AWES has thus filled a major void by providing avenues to our wards to join professional Colleges for higher education by competing within the system. ACMS at Delhi Cantt opened in the year 2008 which is amongst the best in the country. This mega project having ultra modern facilities will go a long way in meeting the aspiration of the environment.
Army Welfare Education Society
Building No: 202, Shankar Vihar,
Delhi Cantonment,
New Delhi
Pin Code: 110010
Telephone : 011-26151564, 011-26152642
ASCON - 39510
Fax : 011-26151564, 011-26152642
