Theaterisation reform is stuck on ranks and roles — India’s military needs clarity

T heaterisation is meant to be India’s most ambitious military reform since Independence. It promises to replace siloed service commands with integrated theatre commands under a single commander, fusing the strengths of land, sea, and air into campaigns that serve national aims.

On paper, the idea of theaterisation is elegant. In practice, it is paralysed by ambiguities of rank and command. These are not administrative details but the foundation of military authority and discipline. They establish who can issue lawful orders, who must obey them, and how accountability is enforced. When this chain is clear, discipline holds. Otherwise, authority diffuses and professionalism erodes. Soldiers may not study constitutional theory, but they know whom to follow and will march behind leaders wit