New Delhi, May 28 - The Ministry of Defence has notified rules giving disciplinary powers to commanders heading organisations of the three services, such as theatre commands, over their subordinates. The main objective of these rules is to implement the Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control and Discipline) Act. The Act was notified in May last year. The rules in the Act, which will be applicable to personnel of the armed forces, were notified today and have come into force from May 27.
The Defence Ministry said on Wednesday, “The rules made under the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, 2023 have been notified through a gazette notification, which will come into force from May 27, 2025.” The main objective of this initiative is to strengthen effective command, control and efficient functioning of Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs), thereby strengthening unity in the armed forces, the ministry said in a statement.
Official sources said that such a reform was long awaited, especially after the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff. The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had passed the bill in this regard in August last year, which received the President’s assent. The theatre commands are expected to be announced soon and will include a commander to lead the personnel and officers of the three armed forces.
The Act empowers the Commanders-in-Chief and Officers-in-Command (of the three services) to exercise control over the service personnel serving under them for the effective maintenance of discipline and administration, without disturbing the unique service conditions of each individual. The government has taken this step after India created its first tri-service command – the Andaman and Nicobar Command – 24 years ago.
The Indian Air Force, Army and Navy are governed by the Air Force Act, 1950, the Army Act, 1950 and the Navy Act, 1957 respectively.
The service personnel will continue to be governed by their respective service acts while serving in the tri-service organisation. However, the rules and the new law will empower the heads of the tri-service organisations to exercise all disciplinary and administrative powers as per the existing laws of the three services. At present, the tri-service commander has no role in the administration of justice against any of his subordinates.
Officers and individuals posted in the three services are sent back to their parent service after facing disciplinary action, if any. At present, the three-services comprise the Andaman and Nicobar Command, the Strategic Forces Command and the Department of Military Affairs – headed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).