COMMAND STRUCTURE

(Undermentioned is a brief overview of the chain of command in Indian Army)

Supreme Commander:

    The President of India serves as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, including the Indian Army.

    Chief of Defence Staff (CDS):

      The CDS is the highest-ranking military officer in the country and serves as the principal military advisor to the Government of India. The position of CDS was established in 2019 to foster greater coordination and synergy among the three branches of the Indian military – Army, Navy, and Air Force.

      Army Chief (COAS):

        The Chief of Army Staff is the highest-ranking officer of the Indian Army. They are responsible for the command, control, and administration of the Army. The COAS reports directly to the Chief of Defence Staff.

        Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS):

          The Vice Chief of Army Staff assists the COAS in various duties and assumes the role of the COAS in their absence.

        Principal Staff Officers (PSOs):

          The Army Headquarters consists of various Principal Staff Officers who assist the Army Chief in formulating policies and executing plans. These include the Deputy Chief of Army Staff, the Adjutant General, the Quarter Master General, the Master General of Ordnance, the Military Secretary, and others.

          Commands:

            The Indian Army is divided into several commands, each responsible for a specific geographical area or theater of operations. As of my last update, there were seven operational commands:

            1) Northern Command
            2) Western Command
            3) Eastern Command
            4) Southern Command
            5) Central Command
            6) South Western Command
            7) Training Command

            Corps:

              Commands are further divided into corps, which are large operational formations. A corps is typically commanded by a Lieutenant General and comprises several divisions.

              Divisions:

                Divisions are the largest fixed formation in the Army and are commanded by a Major General. They consist of several brigades.

                Brigades:

                  Brigades are the basic fighting units of the Army and are commanded by a Brigadier. They are composed of various battalions.

                  Battalions:

                    Battalions are the smallest independent units in the Army commanded by a Colonel, usually consisting of several companies.

                    Companies/Batteries:

                      Companies or Batteries are sub-units of battalions, responsible for specific tasks such as infantry, artillery, or engineering. They are typically commanded by a Captain or a Major and consist of several platoons.

                    Platoons:

                      Platoons are smaller units within companies/batteries, specializing in specific tasks. They are commanded by a Lieutenant or a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and consist of several sections.

                    Sections:

                      Sections are the smallest maneuver elements in the Army, typically comprising around 8-12 soldiers. They are commanded by a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) such as a Lance Corporal or a Corporal.

COMBAT ARMS

In the Indian Army, the term "combat arms" refers to the branches or corps primarily responsible for engaging in direct combat operations. These branches are:
  1. Infantry: Infantry soldiers are the backbone of any army and are trained to engage in ground combat on foot. They operate in various terrains and are equipped to carry out a wide range of missions.
  2. Armoured Corps: This branch operates tanks and other armored vehicles, providing firepower and protection on the battlefield. They are essential for armored warfare and mobile operations.
  3. Artillery: The Artillery provides indirect fire support to ground forces using cannons, howitzers, and other artillery weapons. They play a crucial role in softening enemy defenses and providing cover for friendly forces.
  4. Mechanized Infantry: This branch combines the mobility of armored vehicles with the firepower and versatility of infantry soldiers. They are trained to operate alongside tanks and other mechanized units.

    5. These combat arms work together to form the core fighting force of the Indian Army, capable of conducting a wide range of military operations. Below is a comprehensive list of regiments in these 4 combat arms.

Combat Arm Regiments
Infantry Rajputana Rifles
Punjab Regiment
Madras Regiment
Grenadiers Regiment
Sikh Regiment
Jat Regiment
Mahar Regiment
Bihar Regiment
Dogra Regiment
Garhwal Rifles
Kumaon Regiment
Assam Regiment
Maratha Light Infantry
Jammu and Kashmir Rifles
Naga Regiment
Arunachal Scouts
Sikkim Scouts
Ladakh Scouts
Armoured Corps President's Bodyguard
The Armoured Corps Centre and School, Ahmednagar
1st Horse (Skinner's Horse)
2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
The Governor's Bodyguard
The President's Bodyguard
3rd Cavalry
4th Horse (Hodson's Horse)
7th Light Cavalry
9th Horse (Royal Deccan Horse)
14th Prince of Wales's Own Scinde Horse
15th Lancers
16th Light Cavalry
17th Horse (Punjab Lancers)
18th Cavalry
20th Lancers
61st Cavalry
62nd Cavalry
Artillery Regiment of Artillery
Corps of Army Air Defence
The Regiment of Artillery Centre, Nashik Road Camp
The School of Artillery, Devlali
Mechanised Regiment
Air Defence Regiment
Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Guards
Mechanised Infantry Regiment

SERVICES

In the Indian Army, "services" generally refer to the various branches or arms of the military, each specializing in different functions or roles. These services include:
Service Role
Army Service Corps (ASC) Responsible for provisioning supplies to the army, including food, fuel, and other logistical support.
Corps of Engineers Tasked with providing engineering support to the army, including construction of bridges, roads, and other infrastructure, as well as combat engineering tasks.
Corps of Signals Handles the army's communication and information technology systems, ensuring effective communication between units.
Army Medical Corps (AMC) Provides medical services to army personnel, including medical treatment, evacuation, and healthcare management.
Army Ordnance Corps (AOC) Manages the army's inventory of weapons, ammunition, and other ordnance materials.
Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (EME) Responsible for the maintenance and repair of army equipment, including vehicles, weapons, and electronic systems.
Corps of Army Air Defence (AAD) Deals with air defence operations, including anti-aircraft artillery and missile systems.
Army Aviation Corps Handles the army's aviation assets, including helicopters used for reconnaissance, transportation, and close air support.
Army Education Corps (AEC) Focused on the education and training of army personnel, including instructional roles in various military schools and academies.
Corps of Military Police (CMP) Ensures discipline and security within the army, including traffic control, law enforcement, and handling of prisoners of war.

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