Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has empowered the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to issue Joint Instructions and Joint Orders across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The move significantly enhances synergy among the services and marks a decisive break from the tradition of siloed command structures.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed on Tuesday that the CDS—who also heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA)—can now frame and disseminate joint directives on matters involving more than one service branch. This structural reform aims to bolster coordination, eliminate procedural redundancies, and bring India’s armed forces in line with global best practices in military integration.
The first such Joint Order, issued on June 24, is titled “Approval, Promulgation and Numbering of Joint Instructions and Joint Orders.” It establishes a clear framework to standardise military directives and promote interoperability across services.
This reform comes as India seeks to modernise its strategic defence apparatus and strengthen its readiness to tackle multidimensional security challenges.
Let me know if you’d like an Odia translation or to adapt this for a culturally resonant editorial or opinion piece. I’m ready.
