(a) whether any scheme is under consideration of the Government for encouraging youth belonging to difficult and border areas including Himalayan mountain region to join defence forces;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the matter of some relaxation in the criteria for recruitment for youth of such areas is under consideration of the Government and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to popularise military education in schools and colleges in these areas?