Rajya Sabha passes Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control & Discipline) Bill – 2023

The Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control & Discipline) Bill – 2023 was approved by the Rajya Sabha on August 8, 2023. On August 4, 2023, the Lok Sabha approved it. The bill aims to grant all disciplinary and administrative authority over the people serving in or attached to Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs) to the Commander-in-Chief and Officer-in-Command.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, who introduced the bill in the Upper House, stated that it was necessary to strengthen the Armed Forces in light of the present scenario of global security, emphasising that the military can only advance by improving jointness and integration. He assured the House that the law will improve cooperation between the three services and support the integrated structure also  it will prove to be a milestone in the path to India’s military reforms.

The Raksha Mantri pointed out that today’s warfare is no longer conventional, but has become technology and network centric, which makes it even more important for the three Services to work with greater coordination to face future challenges faced by the country.

Currently, the Army Act of 1950, the Navy Act of 1957, and the Air Force Act of 1950 each contain regulations that govern the Armed Forces’ personnel. By avoiding multiple proceedings, the Bill’s enactment will save the public time and money while also allowing the Heads of ISOs to maintain effective discipline in inter-services establishments. It will also eliminate the need for personnel who are the subject of disciplinary action to be returned to their parent Service units.

The Bill would also provide a solid platform for future Joint Structure construction, boost the efficiency of the Armed Forces even more, and open the door for far deeper integration and jointness between the three Services.

All members of the regular Army, Navy, and Air Force as well as members of other forces as specified by the Central Government who are serving in or attached to an Inter-Services Organisation are subject to the “ISO Bill- 2023.”

With regard to personnel serving in or attached to their Inter-Services Organisations for the maintenance of discipline and proper discharge of their duties, regardless of the service to which they belong, this Bill gives the Commander-in-Chief, Officer-in-Command, or any other officer specially empowered in this regard by the Central Government all disciplinary and administrative powers.

The General Officer/Flag Officer/Air Officer who has been designated as the Commander-in-Chief of Officer-in-Command an Inter-Services Organisation is referred to as the Commander-in-Chief or the Officer-in-Command.

The acting incumbent or the officer upon whom the command develops in the absence of a C-in-C or Oi/C will also be given the authority to begin all disciplinary or administrative actions over the service members appointed, deputed, posted, or attached to an Inter-Services organisation in order to maintain Command and Control.

The Bill also gives the Commanding Officer of an Inter-Services organisation the authority to take any administrative or disciplinary actions against the people who have been appointed, deputed, posted, or otherwise attached to that Inter-Services Organisation. The officer actually in charge of the unit, ship, or establishment is referred to as the commanding officer for the purposes of this Act.

The Central Government is given the authority by the Bill to establish an Inter-Services Organisation.

The ‘ISO Bill-2023’ is primarily an Enabling Act and does not propose any changes to the current Service Acts, Rules, or Regulations, which are tried-and-true and have weathered court review for at least 60 years. Service members will continue to be controlled by their individual Service Acts while serving in or attached to an Inter-Services Organisation. It gives Heads of Inter-Services Organisations the authority to use all disciplinary and administrative authorities under the current Service Acts, Rules, and Regulations, regardless of the service to which they are assigned.