Constitutional Status of Defense Forces -Brig Pradeep Sharma

Date:- 01 June 2026

Editor's Note :

An  educative article penned down by Brig Pradeep Sharma that  explains the constitutional status of defence forces  through   elaboration of relevant articles  .It   highlights the constructive provisions for the defence forces and the need for the Govt in power  to address  two basic demands of armed forces from  which  most  agitations and ,representations have  originated .They are  mainly focused on warrant of precedence  , pay and allowances  vis a vis civil services and  para military forces . The article clearly identifies relevant clauses and articles  pertaining to armed forces and the  imperative need for the Govt  hierarchy and all its executive agencies to follow these  in letter and spirit. Let us debate.

Editor ,MVI 

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Introduction

A large majority of  defense forces personnel both serving and veterans are oblivious of what the Constitution has to say about the Defense Forces relationship as ascribed in the Constitution Of India with reference to the Nation and much more.

Whilst those Serving are silent , some Veterans can be seen agitating about various issues related to Status, Pay and allowances, Order of Precedence Manhandling of Armed Forces personnel so forth. Yet one does not come across any mention of the Constitutional position.

Independent India was for the first time witness to  a rise in agitations and expression of discontent against Government apathy, be it perceived or otherwise.  Patience having run out, Soldiers left with no option took to Social Media, Courts and demonstrations much against their will. An unhealthy trend compelling Veterans to raise their voices much against their wishes. Rather than taking note of the discontent and addressing the issues , the Government has  continued to turn a blind eye and issues remain pending since1973.

Have Governments been Unfair?

Serving soldiers do not have unions or lobbies like civilians, they have always  trusted Govts to be fair, however  in 1973 they were delivered a serious blow when their status, pay, pensions and allowances were reduced drastically by 3rd pay commission and that of civilians raised. It created a serious imbalance and that too once soldiers had delivered an unprecedented and historic military victory in 1971 war. Instead of being awarded in acknowledgement of the historic feat, soldiers were punished. This was the beginning of loss of confidence and setting a wrong precedence.

Being disciplined and law abiding, the system of reporting their problems to their commanding officers, followed the chain of command, reposing trust in the ability of their Chiefs and Govt.

Since1973,  the Govts have assured soldiers that their problems will be addressed, no action has been taken. On the other hand various political parties have used soldiers  and operational successes for petty vote politics and electioneering creating an unhealthy and undesirable  situation wherein soldiers have begun to question the ability of military chiefs to resolve their grievances and started doubting the intentions and seriousness of Govts to deliver. Thus understandably, there is a simmering discontent in the minds of all ranks.

What do the Defence Forces Want?

 Surprisingly they have only two demands:-

a.      Restoration of Status of soldiers as given in the constitution be respected.

b.     Address the serious imbalances and disparities that have been allowed to set in between Defense Forces and Other Govtemployees.

Consitutional Provisions and the Defense Forces

Article18:- Respects the "Title of Ranks "of Soldiers even after his death. Soldiers never retire. Title of Ranks never dies.

 Article 34:- Gives military a political executive authority to intervene by declaring Martial  Law ’only to restore democracy’ parliamentary democracy being supreme in India. This article makes Indian Military totally committed to democracy and "we the people". In such situations where the Government Fails to Govern as per the Constitution, Parliament is unable to function or a Dictatorial leader endangers democracy and lastly an external or internal aggression threatens it, the constitution makes it obligatory on military authorities to intervene , protect and restore democracy. Baba Saheb Ambedkarhas wisely endorsed  such a clause considering  that  there could emerge an autocratic leader leaning towards dictatorial rule ,thus incorporating this clause giving the Military final authority, entrusting military a role of silent and invisible custodian of Indian democracy.

  The Armed Forces have  been loyal to the core as can be seen from the action of FM Manekshaw who cautioned the then Prime Minister during Emergency .  It is a fact that emergency was lifted as all three chiefs wrote a top secret letter to Indira Gandhi advising her to lift emergency and   call for elections. Probably this is right time the content of this letter should be disclosed to public.

  Article 52 read clubbed with Article74:- The sovereign authority of Government  is vested in the  President who wears two distinct hats. One of being head of civil political government and other of supreme commander of defense forces. These two roles of the president are independent. Hard and soft national powers are identified and constitutionally divided. While democracy under the pre-dominance of soft power functions under the leadership of Prime Minister and his cabinet, the total command authority over hard power of military is denied to him/her. Baba Saheb ensured the protection against  a Dictatorial Civilian Leadership taking control PM or Defense Minister taking control of the Nation by denying them command over military forces. Therefore under this article when read with Article 74, the political direction to military comes from cabinet headed by PM, administrative support comes from ministry of defense and military retains the authority and freedom of executive decisions and that is the reason precisely military is an attached organisation to the political govt.

Constitutionally, military cannot be subordinate to PM and his cabinet as the  President who is senior to PM is its head and also PM is not given command of military. In Indian democracy where PM exercises executive political authority and President is constitutional head of military, services HQ can only be integrated with civil Govt and cannot be merged as is the case  inUSA.

 Co-relation of Article 34 , Article 52 and 74. Articles 52 and74 do not take away the authority vested in  our Supreme Commander and Military Leadership as Silent and Invisible Custodians of Indian Democracy. In any  situation where advice of  PM (aspiring to become a dictator) and his cabinet to President could be detrimental to democracy, Under article 52 and article 74, President is left with no choice but to accept their advice after one review, however under article 34  as the Supreme Commander of defense forces or military commanders , military authority as vested in them to defend constitution and democracy may be exercised.   

A look at the Constitutional Roles and responsibilities ascribed by the Constitution of  India is interesting and given below:-

a.  Primary Role. To defend Indian Constitution and democracy against any of the following threats:-

I.  Any external aggression or threat in any form on the geo-political and economic interests of India, territories under  thepolitical control of Indian Govt and Indian Constitution. The external threat may not always be in the form of military invasions. It may appear in form of externally abetted political assassinations, cyber or economic wars, threatening geo-political alliances or posturing.

II. Any internal threat endangering functioning of the constitution and democracy which maybe in form  of armed rebellion or political take over by a civilian dictator.

b.           Secondary Role. To assist civil administration in maintenance of law and order and in case of natural calamities, disasters and disturbances only when requisitioned. Defence forces can act in their secondary roles only when requisitioned. However  for their primary roles no such orders or requisition  are required.  Under normal circumstances to go to war will remain a Political decision and Military authorities remain duty bound to seek such approval.

Interestingly our constitution caters for other situations where the Defense Forces are duty bound to Act in the interest of our Constitution and Democracy on their own, these are given below:-

a.     Should the  govt seize to exist, for any reason including destruction due to a  nuke attack obliterating such govt .

b.     Or when a dictator takes over  control thus violating  the constitution /Democracy

c.     Or  in case any state govt rebels

d.     Or any armed rebellion has seized any part of territory/govtadministration, defense forces will act under the military authority as vested in them to protect constitution and shall not wait for any political directions.

The Constitution of India and the Status of Defense Forces?

Chapter 14 of the constitution deals with "Services of the Union and States". Though defense forces are created under articles 34 and 52, their service conditions are constitutionally governed under this chapter. Relevant articles are as under:

a.            Article 309 Empowers parliament to make legislation for the service conditions of various   public services including defense forces.

b.     Article310 Makes provisions for the tenure of all commissioned officers of the defense forces personnel and civilian gazetted officers at pleasure of president. This article mentions various govt services in order  of their seniority in terms of constitutional status. Officers of the defense forces are first in the seniority even ahead of civil services of the union (discontinued after independence) and All lndiaServices(IAS,IPS,IRS,IFS etc).

c.       Articles 311- 323 under the chapter deal with various safeguards provided to civil services and forming of Public Service Commissions.

d.     Legal provisions for withdrawal of Pleasure of President in respect to officers of the defense forces differ from the civil officers which for defenses forces are further given in respective services acts, rules and also regulations.

e.      Under Article 309,various civil services acts laying down various service conditions in details like IAS Acts and Rules or IPS Acts and Rules have been framed. However in relation to defense services Govt and Parliament has chosen to remain silent and adhocism has been created. Absence of act and rules for service conditions of defense forces in detail as mandated under article309, is the root cause of soldiers grievances. Present Defense Acts and Rules deal more with the discipline aspect of forces.  The defense regulations are customs of Monarchy. India is a democracy and defense forces shall not be administered under ad hoc regulations.

Appointment of officers in defense forces and how does their oath differ from that of a

A civil servant?

Officers of the defense forces in addition to being gazetted , are also commissioned officers. The word "commission" is mentioned in the parchment given to them at the time of their commissioning where in they take oath of allegiance not only to the constitution as taken by civil officers but also to obey lawful command of their superior officer up in the chain of command.

Under this observed obedience of lawful command, duty to defend the constitution is inherent. Civilians including PM and Govt Ministers take oath of allegiance to the constitution and not to defend constitution? Few key aspects which may be noted in appointments of defense officers are:- 

a.     The Parchment of Commission is given under the printed signatures of the President authenticated by a Military General and not by Any Civil Officer.

b.     In the Parchment of Commission, the President uses the word "ME" and not "MY GOVT" as he uses in Parliament, because the authority of military command is absolute in nature and is vested in him as supreme commander of the defense forces. Such power legally cannot be delegated to any other authority. Provisions of article 74, therefore do not apply on military authority and chain of command. Army laws make nature of command legally very clear. In case of confusion of political directions for military between President and PM, defense forces are obliged to follow orders of supreme commander of defense forces and not PM.

c.   Officers of defense forces take oath to serve anywhere in the world and space, where ever they could be sent by land, air and sea beyond the territories of India and where even the Indian laws do not apply ? They enforce the sovereign authority of the state not only with in national territories but beyond.

d.   Officers are supposed to follow such orders of command which are lawful in nature. Legal validity of orders are decided by officer himself interpreting these under the law. Commissioned officers are therefore expected to use their judgment to decide legality  of the orders and all illegal orders he is expected to disobey. In case commissioned officers obey illegal orders, they carry liability of criminal prosecution.

e.    Officers of the defense forces by virtue of being commissioned officers, are vested with following powers:-

       i.           Military executive authority not only to impose its will using military force on any entity but  also to the extent of forming Govts. Military Govt in India were formed in Hyderabad, Goa and  Junagarh once these were liberated and also in Bangladesh and Jaffna Sri Lanka.

     ii.          Judicial powers to not only give punishments to the extendof death sentence, but in certain situations confirm and execute it without any reference to any court, Govt and President.Powersof Magistrates are exercised by defense forces in aid to civil authority. Officers of the rank of NCOs and above exercise such powers. Whereas in case of civil these are not below gazetted officers.

 iii.   Military Authority to command troops. Military functions based on unique concept of command.

  iv.   Administrative powers like any civilian officers.

It could be seen from above that all functions of state for which a civil Govt  has different organs, in case of military  these are vested in commissioned officers.

Are IAS officers Masters of Indian Destiny and Superior than other sister services like IPS, IRS and IFS? Let us Break this Myth?

Seen in backdrop of article 310, that is not correct. However, over a period of time IAS officers have taken advantage of  certainappointments and closeness to politicians to place themselves in a privileged and controlling  position. elections where victory margins are thin, such officers naturally can oblige politicians.

Constitutional Status of Defense Officers and IAS including Officers  of All India Services

Sovereign Executive Military Authority is an exclusive domain of military officersexercisedthroughpowersandchainofcommand.Undersuchauthoritynationsaredestroyedor made. Political directions for military actions at macro levels are given by elected govt in a functional democracy. Under article 34 defense forces have been made silent and invisible custodian of Indian democracy with a responsibility to keep it intact. No  such powers are  vested in the  civil domain to any civil officer.

Authority to form political Govt is an exclusive domain of political civil Govt in a functional democracy on mandate of 'we the people'. However in certain situations with approval of elected civil political authorities and if it doesn't exist then on its own, officers of the defense officers form a political Govt in any external captured territory and anywhere within the country. Examples are when military formed Govts in Hyderabad, Goa and Junagarh within the country and in Bangladesh  and Jaffna; Sri Lanka abroad. Such govt can be led by any military officer or any other person so authorized by responsible military commander. Adjutant General of the Army HQ is responsible for the subject. Only officers of the rank of Brigadier and above are authorized to declare formation of such govt. That is the reason rank of Brigadier was and should be equated with the appointment of secretary of Govt of India. Same is the practice world over in most democracies .No such authority  is vested in any of the officers of all India services. All civil officers serve under the command of military commanders under the military Govts.

Judicial Powers:

Anycommissionedofficercanbe nominatedtothe military courtas aJudge. Military officersoftherankof Captain and above exercisejudicial powers ofasessionjudge and can give deathsentences. Incase of SGCM,  anofficer ofthe rankof Captain and aboveca nominate himselfasjudge and cangivedeath sentence ina summary trial. He in thiscase can also confirm thesentence given by himselfonbehalf ofpresidentandgiveorders forits execution without reference to any court and civil authority. No right of appeal is given to the accused. Military Laws can be made applicable to civilians either by notification by Central Govt or under martial laws. Legal validity of the courts formed under martial laws has the sanction of Supreme Court.No such powers or authority is held by any officer of the All India Services.

Powers of Magistrate: Powers of magistrate is more of a civilian concept when a civilian officer is given part of executive authority  ofthe state by virtue of he/her holding an appointment or given for a period. Military works on the concept of command where executive powers of state are inherent in powers of command of Military officers by virtue of holding commission or authority to exercise such powers.In case of military, powers of command are given down to NCO levels. In aid to civil authority military Non Commissioned Officers, have the powers to order fire. Such orders in case of civil can only be given by a Civil magistrate. These powers are not inherent as is the case of military officers. IAS officers exercise powers of magistrate as returning officers for an election. It is this appointment which gives advantage to them to illegally oblige politicians and makes them powerful over others.

Administrative Powers: Exercised as authorized by defense officers as well as officers of all India services.

Please note: IAS officers  or other officers of all India services exercise executive powers of state only when they have powers of magistrate or hold a specified appointment where as executive authority of the state are inherent to all commissioned officers by virtue of their holding commission on behalf of President. Nature of job of officers of all India services is more administrative in nature whereas in case of defense officers it is pre-dominantly executive. That is the reason article 310,puts officers of defense forces in senior most order than officers of all India services and other civil services.

The word “defending the constitution” are neither mentioned in Oath and nor in commission parchment, then how are officers of the defense forces responsible for defending the constitution?

Oath of President of India has two key words. One "upholding the constitution" and other defending it.  President takes the oath to defend constitution as supreme commander of the defense forces and the only instrument with him to defend constitution to do so are the defense forces. He therefore passes his authority to officers of the defense forces in form of commission. It is through this commission the officers of defense forces become responsible for defending the constitution  by military force following lawful command. Article34 also makes it obligatory on part of the defense forces to defend constitution.

Civil/ Political Govt has authority and freedom to decide the status of the defense officers and how they shall be paid? Why should defense officers and soldiers complain?

Govt of the day is formed and functions under the broad constitutional framework .No Govt or babu is above constitution and they are expected to work within the space as provided. Since 1973 Govtshave taken certain unconstitutional decisions and downgraded the  status and compensation of the defense forces. Sadly the normal course for remedy has not yielded results.

India is a democracy and not autocracy. Govts are answerable to the people and parliament.In case of military they need to explain reasons as by law military is not expected to obey unlawful orders. Soldiers have certain of their fundamental rights restricted it doesn't mean they lose all other rights of being Indian citizens? Govt carry aresponsibility to reason out their grievances? It is demand of democracy.

Conclusion

It would apparently be clear as to where the Defense Forces of India stand with reference to our Constitution. The hurt being felt across the board amongst all those in Uniform is understandable. The reason justifying continued dedicated service lies in the fact that Defense Forces are Patriotic to the hilt and loyal not merely to the Uniform but the Nation as a whole.

What is perplexing and defies all reason is the motive of various Governments in continued down gradation of the Defense Forces. The lack of respect has reached such a low that even serving officers and Jawans are being beaten and locked up by local police!

In a transparent environment , such acts do not go un noticed by our adversaries and thus run the risk of being exploited for  subversion  of soldiers or their families, further more it poses a challenge to the leadership in the motivation of their command especially in the face of perceptible favors for CAPFs.

The loss in status can also be felt through the reluctance by choice of our youth to join the Defense Forces who have increasingly opted for CAPFs!

For how long can this state of affairs be allowed to continue? The Chiefs and CDS need to perhaps have an in house debate to decide a proper course of action  failing which , Veterans may be compelled to knock  at the doors of Courts although undesirable but finally inescapable option!