Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, 2023

The Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, 2023 provides a common command framework for organisations staffed by personnel from more than one armed service. It authorises the designated joint commander to exercise command and control over personnel serving in or attached to the organisation, while each person remains governed by the law of his or her parent service.

Authority of the joint commander

The Commander-in-Chief or Officer-in-Command is the head of an inter-services organisation and may exercise command and control over all personnel serving in or attached to it, irrespective of their service.

• For maintaining discipline and ensuring proper discharge of duties, the commander may exercise the relevant disciplinary and administrative powers available under the applicable service law.
• The authority applies across personnel of the Army, Navy and Air Force within the inter-services organisation, removing the earlier constraint of service-specific command for disciplinary purposes.
• The commanding officer of a unit, ship or establishment within the organisation may initiate disciplinary or administrative action against personnel under that command.

Continuity of service laws

The Act creates unified command authority but not a single military justice code. Personnel continue to be governed by the Army Act, 1950, the Air Force Act, 1950, or the Navy Act, 1957, as applicable.

• The joint commander exercises powers through the relevant parent-service law and its rules or regulations.
• The Act does not alter the distinctive conditions of service applicable to personnel of each armed service.

Purpose and oversight

The framework enables disciplinary and administrative matters to be handled within the joint organisation instead of depending upon separate service chains. The Central Government exercises superintendence over inter-services organisations and may issue directions on national security, general administration or public interest grounds.