In April 1942, the Western Independent District was absorbed into the Northern Command which itself was re-designated as North Western Army to guard the borders at North West Frontier during World War II.

[5] In 1972, the Government of India decided to raise a separate command to oversee operations in the northern borders with Pakistan and China.

Bhagat's main activities as Army Commander were the improvement of defence and the living and working condition of his troops.

In 2001–02, during Operation Parakram the III Corps and its 57th Mountain Division were temporarily shifted into the command as a reserve.

In 2021, the Strike One Corps was re-organised to join the Northern Command to assist at the Ladakh border with China.