During the 1965 Indo-Pak War, an ad hoc commando unit comprised of volunteers from various infantry regiments was organized by Lieutenant Colonel Megh Singh Rathore of the Brigade of the Guards. The unit was nicknamed, Meghdoot Force, and performed well in combat. Thus in June 1966, the Indian Government authorised the Parachute Regiment to form a permanent commando unit. Known as the 9th Battalion, it was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Megh Singh and he used members from the Meghdoot Force as its backbone. In June 1967 elements of the 9th Battalion, were taken to form a second commando unit, designated as 10th Battalion, at Gwalior. However in July 1967, both units left Gwalior with the 9th Battalion, operating in the northern mountains and the 10th Battalion, operating in the western desert. In 1969, these battalions were renamed as the 9 and 10 Para Commando battalions.

Para Commandos had their first taste of combat in the 1971 Indo-Pak War where they performed gallantly. The 9 Para Cdo saw action through a daring raid on a Pakistani gun position at Mandhol. This raid resulted in the destruction of six 122mm guns belonging to the Pakistan Army's 172 Independent Battery. Apart from the destruction of guns, ammunition and other vital equipment, the Pakistanis suffered 37 killed, 41 wounded and a great loss of face. This raid, launched at a crucial time which enabled the 25th Infantry Division to progress their operations on Daruchian (a Pakistani occupied post), won the 9 Para Cdo the Battle Honour of Mandhol.

The 10 Para Cdo was baptised in combat with successful raids on enemy posts at Chachro and Virawah, under H.H. Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh of Jaipur who won a Maha Vir Chakra for these daring raids. By the late 1970s, Indian paratroopers began experimenting with High-Altitude, Low-Opening (HALO) techniques. At the same time, the 1 Para Battalion was selected for conversion into the Army's third Para Commando unit. In the mid-1980s, there were plans of bringing the three Para battalions together under a new aegis of a Special Forces Regiment. However these plans were abandoned, and they continue to be trained and recruited by the Parachute Regiment.

10th Para or Special Forces is the oldest and most decorated of all the Para units, it has Rajputs of Rajasthan as it fighting troops.