The Indian Army is an institution, specifically the land-based branch and largest component of the Indian Armed Forces, responsible for ensuring national security and unity, and defending the nation from external aggression and internal threats. Its origins trace back to the East India Company's presidency armies, which were unified into a single force known as the Indian Army on April 1, 1895. The problem it solved was consolidating the disparate military forces of the British Raj into a cohesive structure for maintaining the primacy of the British Empire. After independence, the modern Indian Army was formally established on January 26, 1950.
The legal framework governing the Army is the Army Act, 1950, which was enacted on May 20, 1950, and came into effect on July 22, 1950, replacing the Indian Army Act of 1911. This Act consolidates and amends the law relating to the government of the regular Army, providing a distinct body of military law that applies to all ranks, including officers and junior commissioned officers. Key provisions define military offenses like mutiny and desertion, and establish a separate judicial system through court-martial procedures. Section 21 of the Act empowers the Central Government to modify the fundamental rights of service members.
The Army connects to the executive and legislative branches of the government: the President of India is the ceremonial Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, while the Ministry of Defence (MoD) provides the policy framework and resources. The professional head is the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). Recently, the government has approved major reforms, including the notification of the Inter-Services Organizations (Command, Control & Discipline) Act on May 10, 2024, which empowers commanders of joint units to exercise control over personnel from all three services to streamline administration and discipline. Further restructuring is underway with the planned establishment of Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) and the creation of a dedicated missile and rocket force.