The Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023 is a pivotal legislation passed by the Indian Parliament. Its primary objective is to establish a theatre-based command and control architecture for the Indian armed forces, facilitating the creation of inter-services organisations.
At present, India's armed forces, encompassing the Army, Air Force, and Navy, function as distinct and independent entities. They operate under three separate Services Acts: the Army Act, 1950, the Air Force Act, 1950, and the Navy Act, 1957.
The introduction of this Bill empowers officers commanding inter-services organisations to administer and discipline personnel from all three services. This legislative change encourages integration among the armed forces, fostering improved coordination and cooperation.
Theatre commands are unified structures that amalgamate personnel and resources from multiple services within a specific geographical area. This strategic approach streamlines operations, enhances coordination, and optimizes resource allocation, significantly improving the overall effectiveness of the armed forces.
The establishment of theatre commands has been strongly advocated by military experts, particularly in light of shifting global dynamics and the increasing assertiveness of China's military presence. Theatre commands are essential for enhancing operational efficiency, coordination, and resource utilization in response to contemporary security challenges.
China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) operates under a single command for its extensive 3,500-kilometer Indo-China border, while India currently manages seven separate commands. The formation of theatre commands in India would consolidate forces across geographical areas, enabling commanding officers to deploy resources more effectively.
There has been a history of cooperation among India's armed forces, particularly in training at institutions like the National Defence Academy and in the medical establishment. However, operational coordination has largely been limited to specific tasks rather than comprehensive integration.
India's first tri-services command, the Andaman and Nicobar Command, was established in 2001, followed by the Strategic Forces Command in 2003 to manage the nuclear arsenal. However, efforts toward military restructuring faced periods of neglect until the creation of the Department of Military Affairs in 2016.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat, played a crucial role in advancing military restructuring and integration. He proposed a military structure comprising up to five theatres and aimed to accomplish this within three years, tragically passing away in 2021 before realizing this vision.
The new Bill aims to revive and accelerate the military restructuring and integration process by facilitating the establishment of inter-services organizations. It empowers officers to manage and discipline personnel across different services, laying the groundwork for achieving a theatre-based command and control framework.
Q1. What is the primary goal of the Inter-Services Organisations Bill, 2023?
Answer: The primary goal of the Inter-Services Organisations Bill, 2023, is to create a unified command and control structure for India’s armed forces, facilitating better integration and cooperation among the Army, Air Force, and Navy.
Q2. How will theatre commands enhance military operations?
Answer: Theatre commands will streamline military operations by integrating personnel and resources across different services, enhancing coordination and improving operational efficiency in response to security challenges.
Q3. What distinguishes the Indian military structure from China's?
Answer: Unlike India, which has seven separate commands, China operates under a single command for its entire Indo-China border, allowing for more unified operations and resource allocation.
Q4. What role did General Bipin Rawat play in military restructuring?
Answer: General Bipin Rawat, as the Chief of Defence Staff, was instrumental in proposing a new military structure aimed at integrating forces into five theatre commands, enhancing overall military effectiveness.
Q5. What is the significance of the Department of Military Affairs?
Answer: The Department of Military Affairs was established to prioritize military restructuring efforts, facilitating integration and cooperation among the armed forces to enhance operational readiness.
Question 1: What is the main purpose of the Inter-Services Organisations Bill, 2023?
A) To establish a single command for the Army
B) To create theatre commands for better military integration
C) To increase the number of military personnel
D) To reduce military spending
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: How many separate commands does India currently operate?
A) Five
B) Seven
C) Three
D) Ten
Correct Answer: B
Kutos : AI Assistant!
