In a landmark move to strengthen India’s defense strategy, the Modi-led central government has implemented a unified command system for the Indian Armed Forces operating along the borders.
Effective from May 27, 2025, the new rule mandates that the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force will now function together under a single commander during border operations.
The Ministry of Defence officially announced the implementation of this change through a government notification. This restructuring aims to ensure quicker decision-making, seamless coordination, and more effective military operations in times of conflict.
The policy stems from the ‘Inter-Services Organisation Bill’, passed in both Houses of Parliament during the Monsoon Session of 2023. It received presidential assent in August 2023 and officially came into force in the Indian Armed Forces on May 10, 2024. The latest government order, issued on May 27, 2025, operationalizes the act.
Major Shift in Military Strategy: Army, Navy, and Air Force Now Under Unified Command on the Border
What Changes Now?
Previously, in situations of emergency or conflict, the three forces operated separately, and coordination was often slow. Under the new unified command, all three forces will report to a single operational commander, eliminating delays in communication and response.
Initial Implementation Zones
According to official sources, the Western and Northern Commands, which are most active during Indo-Pak tensions, will be the first to implement the new system. It will later be expanded to other regions along India’s borders.
Strategic Timing
This change comes shortly after Operation Sindoor, where India successfully targeted multiple terrorist camps across the border following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. In the aftermath, both India and Pakistan exchanged heavy fire before agreeing to a ceasefire. In this volatile backdrop, the new command structure is seen as a proactive strategic maneuver to prepare for future conflicts.
Despite this unified approach, the individual operational protocols and command rules of the Army, Navy, and Air Force will remain intact, the government clarified.
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