In the U.K., a member of the royalty is requested to be the Colonel-in-Chief of a selected regiment whilst a senior officer of the regiment becomes its Colonel. India, having become a Republic, General Cariappa approached the President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, to be the Colonel-in-Chief of this senior most Regiment. Dr Rajendra Prasad graciously acceded to this request in his capacity as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. He took over his appointment with effect from 26 January 1950. Thereafter, the succeeding Presidents became the Colonels-in-Chief during their tenures.

The question of appointment of the first Colonel for the Guards Brigade came up for examination at Army Headquarters in October 1951. It was then decided, with the approval of the Government, that as the Guards Brigade was being treated as corps de elite, and as the President was associated with the Brigade as its Colonel-in-Chief, it would be in the fitness of things if the Chief of the Army Staff (earlier Commander-in-Chief) was appointed ex-officio Colonel of the Brigade. He was to hold the appointment for the duration of his tenure as Army Chief. As a result, General Cariappa became the first Colonel of the Brigade from 07 November 1951 till 14 January 1953, the date of his retirement. Thereafter, this appointment was held by successive Army Chiefs till the tenure of Gen PN Thapar from 31 July 1961 to 19 Jul 1963.

Lt Gen NC Rawlley, PVSM, AVSM, MC

First Colonel of the Brigade

General JN Chaudhuri realised that he would not be doing full justice to the appointment because of his inability to devote the attention that was due to the Guards Brigade in day to day activities which were then increasing with the growing strength of the Brigade. It would, therefore, be to the advantage of the Brigade to have a regular officer from its own panel as a Colonel of the Regiment. The Commandant of the Guards Training Centre was consulted. He, in consultation with the battalion commanders, agreed to this suggestion and recommended the name of Brig Rawlley for this appointment. He also recommended that the COAS be appointed as ex-officio Honorary Colonel of the Brigade, which would enable him to keep the association with them.

It was as a result of this that Brig NC Rawlley was appointed the Colonel of the Brigade of The Guards with effect from 01 January 1964, and Gen JN Chaudhuri relinquished the appointment and became the ex-officio Honorary Colonel. The Brigade now has the President as the Colonel-in-Chief, the COAS as the Honorary Colonel, and a senior Guards officer as the Colonel.
 

Present Colonel in Chief President of India  Shri Pranab Mukherjee

Present Honoray Colonel Gen Dalbir Singh, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC

Present Colonel of the Brigade of the Guards