In a stride towards modernising defence governance, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has empowered the Chief of Defence Staff and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, to release Joint Instructions and Joint Orders binding on the Army, Navy and Air Force. This replaces the long-standing practice of each Service issuing separate directives whenever a matter concerned more than one branch.

The first such Joint Order, published on 24 June 2025 and titled Approval, Promulgation and Numbering of Joint Instructions and Joint Orders, sets out a common framework for drafting, numbering and disseminating tri-Service directives. It aims to cut duplication, promote transparency and sharpen cross-Service cooperation, thereby raising administrative efficiency and reinforcing unity of effort.

Defence officials say the change marks the opening of a new era of jointness and integration across the three Services, strengthening their collective capacity to meet contemporary security demands.