The Tjakrabirawa Regiment was formed on 6 June 1962 by President Sukarno at the suggestion of army officers after attempts to assassinate the head of state, most recently on 14 May that year.

Its personnel were recruited from all branches of the Indonesian military, such as the Army Raiders and the Army Parachute Commandos, the Navy Commando Operations Corps (KKO), the Air Force Rapid Action Force (PGT) and Police Mobile Brigade (BRIMOB).

[2] The first commandant and executive officer were Brigadier General M. Sabur and Colonel Maulwi Saelan.

President Sukarno gave the name "Tjakrabirawa" after Krishna's fictional sacred weapon in wayang mythology.

[8][9] Presidential guard functions were subsequently taken over by the Military Police Command of the Armed Forces in early 1966, called Satgas Pomad Para.