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In a significant stride towards enhancing jointness, integration, and theatre command structures, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has authorised the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) to issue Joint Instructions and Joint Orders on behalf of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
It marks a transformational shift from the previous practice, where orders involving two or more Services were issued separately by each Service. The move reinforces the Government’s commitment to modernise the higher defence organisation and streamline tri-service functioning.
The first Joint Order, titled ‘Approval, Promulgation and Numbering of Joint Instructions and Joint Orders’, was formally promulgated on June 24, 2025. It establishes a common procedural framework for issuing joint directives, aiming to eliminate duplication, enhance inter-service coordination, and ensure greater transparency and efficiency across the Armed Forces.
This initiative is a foundational step in India’s journey towards integrated theatre commands, fostering unity of effort and operational synergy. It underscores the growing emphasis on jointness as the bedrock of future warfare and positions the Indian Armed Forces for a more cohesive and agile response to evolving security challenges.
With this development, the Armed Forces are poised to operate with greater coherence, reinforcing their collective mission of safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Team BharatShakti
