17 Parachute Field Regiment was raised as the 8th Battalion, the 7th Rajput Regiment on 1 February 1941 at Fatehgarh by Major DW Dawson.

On 1 February 1942, the battalion was converted and redesignated as 7 Rajput Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment.

On 3 November 1946, it was converted to a Parachute Field Regiment and was designated as 17 Parachute Field Regiment RIA with Lieutenant Colonel DHN Baker Carr as its Commanding Officer.

After partition, the Regiment moved to Khadakwasla, Poona.

Lieutenant Colonel JK Khanna, MC became the first Indian Commanding Officer on 22 October 1947.