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Headquarters and Commands of Indian Armed Forces

India covers an area of 32,87,263 sq. km, extending from the snow-covered Himalayan heights to the tropical rain forests of the south. As the 7th largest country in the world, India stands apart from the rest of Asia, marked off as it is by mountains and the sea, which give the country a distinct geographical entity. India being a huge and diverse country spread across a wide range of Geographical area is surrounded by both Land and Water. To Keep our Land and Nation safe, The Indian Armed Forces have formed Three Key Organizations. The Indian Army is the guardian of the Land, The Sky is protected by the Indian Air Force and the Water of India is protected by the Indian Navy.

Indian Armed Forces have Strategically Opened its Headquarter and set up its  Various Commands all over the India to provide defence to Every Part of the country. In this Article, We are going to discuss the Headquarter and Commands of Indian Armed Forces.

Indian Armed Forces Headquarters in India

The primary objective of the Indian Defence Policy is to foster and maintain peace in the subcontinent while ensuring the armed forces are properly equipped. The President of India serves as the supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces, and the responsibility for national defence lies with the Union Cabinet. The Defence Minister is accountable to the parliament for all defense-related matters.

The Indian Armed Forces consist of three services – Army, Navy, and Air Force, each operating under its respective Chief of Staff. India boasts the second-largest Army, the fourth-largest Air Force, and the seventh-largest Navy globally. Here, we present a list of the Command Headquarters of the Indian Armed Forces.

Indian Army Headquarters In India

The Headquarters of the Indian Army is situated in New Delhi, the capital city of India. This central command, known as the “Army Headquarters (AHQ),” is housed within the South Block of the Secretariat Building on Raisina Hill. It serves as the nerve center for the Indian Army, overseeing its command and administrative functions.

The Army is organized into six operational commands, known as field armies, each led by a Lieutenant General. These commands are spread across the country, ensuring readiness and operational effectiveness in various regions. Additionally, there is a training command dedicated to preparing personnel for their roles within the Army.

Overall, the Army Headquarters in New Delhi coordinates and directs the efforts of these commands, ensuring cohesive operations and strategic readiness of the Indian Army as a whole.

Indian Army Commands

In the Indian Army, there are six operational commands and one training command. Each command is overseen by a Lieutenant General who holds the position of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief. These commands directly report to the Army Headquarters located in New Delhi. It is noteworthy that the President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces.

Command Symbol Headquarters
Northern Command Article Udhampur
Western Command Article Chandigarh
Eastern Command Article Kolkatta
Southern Command Article Pune
Central Command Article Lucknow
South-Western Command Article Jaipur
Army Training Command Article Shimla

Note: Each Command of the Indian Army is commanded by a General Officer Commanding in Chief of the rank of Lieutenant General.

Indian Navy Headquarters in India

The Chief of the Naval Staff in India holds the rank of Admiral and is based at headquarters in New Delhi. The Indian Navy operates under three main commands, each led by a Vice-Admiral. The Western Naval Command is in Mumbai on the Arabian Sea, the Southern Naval Command is in Kochi, Kerala, also on the Arabian Sea, and the Eastern Naval Command is in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on the Bay of Bengal. The Naval Headquarters in New Delhi oversees the overall administration, planning, and coordination of the Indian Navy.

Indian Navy Commands

The Indian Navy is a versatile force established to safeguard India’s maritime territorial integrity and other naval interests. It is led by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), who holds the rank of Admiral, and the headquarters is situated in New Delhi. The Indian Navy has the following three Commands –

Command Headquarters Looks after
Eastern Command Visakhapatnam Bay of Bengal
Western Command Mumbai Arabian Sea
Southern Command Kochi Training Command

Note: Each Command of the Indian Navy is Commanded by Flag Officers Commanding-in-Chief of the rank of Vice-Admiral.

Indian Air Force Headquarters in India

The headquarters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) is known as Air Headquarters and is located in New Delhi, the capital city of India. It is situated at Vayu Bhawan, which is located at the intersection of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road and Akbar Road, near India Gate. The Chief is an Air Chief Marshal ranked ‘ Chief of the Air Staff’.

Air Headquarters serves as the central command and administrative centre for the Indian Air Force. It is where the top leadership of the IAF is based, including the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) and his staff. Air Headquarters is responsible for strategic planning, policy formulation, coordination, and overall management of the Indian Air Force.

Indian Air Force Commands

The Air Force is organized into seven commands (five operational and two functional commands). Each is responsible for a specific geographic region or operational domain.

Command Headquarters
Eastern Air Command Article Shillong
South-Western Air Command Article Gandhi Nagar
Southern Air Command Article Thiruvananthapuram
Western Air Command Article New Delhi
Central Air Command Article Allahabad
Maintenance Command Article Nagpur
Training Command Article Bangalore

It is important for Defence Aspirants to Know about the Commands of Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. It will be helpful for them in SSB and AFSB Interviews.


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FAQs

What are the commands in the Indian Armed Forces?

The Indian Armed Forces operate under various commands to effectively manage and control their operations.

How many Indian Army commands are in India?

Indian Army has 7 commands with 6 operational commands and one training command - 
Western Command: Headquartered in Chandimandir, Haryana.
Eastern Command: Headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Northern Command: Headquartered in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir.
Southern Command: Headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra.
Central Command: Headquartered in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
South Western Command: Headquartered in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

How many Indian Navy Commands are in India?

3 which are Western Naval Command: Headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Eastern Naval Command: Headquartered in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Southern Naval Command: Headquartered in Kochi, Kerala.