General Bipin Rawat named as India’s First Chief of Defence Staff
- The Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS), General Bipin Rawat has been named as the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India on December 30, 2019.
- Gen Rawat is retiring as the CoAS on December 31, 2019.
- The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) will be a four-star General, who will be the principal military advisor to the defence minister.
Key Facts about CDS
- The Chief of Defence Staff is described by officials as the “first among equals” among service chiefs.
- The CDS will administer all tri-services organisations, comprising personnel from the army, air force and navy, however, it will not have any operational role and military command to ensure impartial advice. The command will be held with the Chief of the service.
- The CDS will be appointed by the President of India.
- CDS will be responsible to head the following:
- Department of Military Affairs
- Chiefs of Staff Committee
- National Security Council
- Defence Acquisition Council
- Defence Planning Committee
- Nuclear Command Authority
- The defence ministry had recently amended the Army, Air Force and Navy rules by bringing in a new clause that allows the Chief of Defence Staff to serve upto a maximum age of 65 years.
- For the individual services, the maximum service age is limited to 62 years.