In a significant move to enhance jointness and command efficiency in armed forces, the Government of India has notified the rules under the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, 2023, which came into effect on May 27, 2025.
The Ministry of Defence said the new rules aim to bolster command, control, and efficient functioning of the Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs). ISOs include joint commands where personnel from all three services work together.
It gives the heads of joint organisations the authority to lead and manage personnel from all three services to maintain discipline and effectively discharge of duties.
Earlier, the personnel were governed by the respective laws of the three services: the Army Act, 1950, the Air Force Act, 1950, and the Navy Act, 1957.
“The rules (notified) are a critical enabler for the functioning of ISOs and establish a comprehensive framework for discipline, administrative control, and operational synergy”, the ministry said in a statement.
This move comes as India steps up efforts toward theaterisation, a long-awaited reform for the best use of military resources and combat future conflicts.
The Act was passed by both houses of Parliament in the Monsoon Session of 2023 and received the President’s assent on August 15, 2023. It came into force on May 10, 2024, with specific ISOs being notified in December 2024. The notified rules issued under Section 11 lay out how the powers will work in practice, making the command smoother, speeding up disciplinary action, and preventing duplication of efforts.
The Inter-services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Rules, 2025 mention:
- If the Commander-in-Chief, Officer-in-Command, or Commanding Officer is absent or on leave, a replacement will be officially named in the unit’s or organisation’s orders.
- In an emergency, if no official order has been issued, the next higher formation will appoint an officer to take over temporarily until formal notification is made.
- The Commander-in-Chief, Officer-in-Command, or Commanding Officer of an Inter-services Organisation has full disciplinary and administrative authority over all personnel posted or attached to it.
- This authority must be exercised according to the relevant Service Acts, rules, or regulations that apply to each individual.
