The Parachute Regiment is the main airborne formation of the Indian Army. It was initially formed as 50 Independent Parachute Brigade in 1945, made up of battalions from the Punjab Regiment , Marathra Light Infantry and Kumaon Regiment . In 1952, these battalions were rebadged as the new Parachute Regiment.

The regiment's first action was towards the end of the Second World War, when it was parachuted into Burma. However, post independence the regiment's first active service was during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, when the 2nd Battalion became the first Indian unit into Dhaka.

The regiment has a total of ten battalions; of these, five are standard infantry battalions, while the others are commando trained battalions. These commando units are designated as special forces:

• 1st Battalion (Special Forces) - ex 1st Battalion, Punjab Regiment
• 2nd Battalion (Special Forces) - ex 3rd Battalion, Marathra Light Infantry
• 3rd Battalion - ex 1st Battalion, Kumaon Regiment
• 4th Battalion
• 5th Battalion
• 6th Battalion
• 7th Battalion
• 9th Battalion (Special Forces)
• 10th Battalion (Special Forces)
• 21st Battalion (Special Forces) - ex 21st Battalion, Marathra Light Infantry

The missing 8th Battalion became 16th Battalion, Mahar Regiment in 1976 before transferring as the 12th Battalion, Mechanised Infantry Regiment.

Regimental Details

• Regimental Centre: Bangalore with the training establishment at Agra. Recruit training is imparted at Bangalore whereas Para training is imparted at Agra.
• Regimental Insignia: An open parachute with wings spread out and a dagger placed upright, between the wings. The other badge, shown on the right, is used by the four Parachute (Special Forces) Battalions.
• Motto: Shatrujeet (The Conqueror).