Chief of Defence Staff (India): Difference between revisions

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
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{{Infobox official post
{{Infobox official post
| post = Chief
| post                   = Chief
| body = Defence Staff
| body                   = Defence Staff
| native_name =  
| native_name             =  
| insignia = Seal of Chief of Defence Staff (India).png
| insignia               = Seal of Chief of Defence Staff (India).png
| insigniasize =  
| insigniasize           =  
| insigniacaption = Seal of the Chief of Defence Staff
| insigniacaption         = Seal of the Chief of Defence Staff
| insigniaalt =  
| insigniaalt             =
| flag = Flag of Chief of Defence Staff (India).svg
| flag                   = Flag of Chief of Defence Staff (India).svg
| flagsize =  
| flagsize               =  
| flagalt =  
| flagalt                 =
| flagborder =  
| flagborder             = yes
| flagcaption = Flag of the Chief of Defence Staff
| flagcaption             = Flag of the Chief of Defence Staff
| image =  
| image                   =  
| imagesize =  
| imagesize               =  
| alt =  
| alt                     =  
| imagecaption =  
| imagecaption           =
| incumbent = ''Vacant''
| incumbent               = ''Vacant''
| acting =  
| acting                 =  
| incumbentsince = 8 December 2021
| incumbentsince         = 8 December 2021
| department = [[Integrated Defence Staff]]
| department             = [[Integrated Defence Staff]]
| style =  
| style                   =  
| type = Chief of Defence
| type                   = Chief of Defence
| status = Leader of the Armed Forces, Highest ranking military officer
| status                 = Leader of the Armed Forces, Highest ranking military officer
| abbreviation = CDS
| abbreviation           = CDS
| member_of = * Chiefs of Staff Committee
| member_of               = Chiefs of Staff Committee<br>[[National Security Council (India)|National Security Council]]<br>Defence Acquisition Council<br>[[Defence Planning Committee]]<br>[[Nuclear Command Authority (India)|Nuclear Command Authority]]
* [[National Security Council (India)|National Security Council]]
| reports_to             = [[File:Flag of India.svg|20px]] [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] <br/>[[File:Flag of the Ministry of Defence of India.svg|20px]] [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]]
* Defence Acquisition Council
| residence               = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
* [[Defence Planning Committee]]
| seat                   = [[Secretariat Building, New Delhi|Integrated Defence Headquarters]]
* [[Nuclear Command Authority (India)|Nuclear Command Authority]]
| nominator               =  
| reports_to = [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]]
| appointer               = [[Appointments Committee of the Cabinet]]
| residence = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
| appointer_qualified     =  
| seat = [[Secretariat Building, New Delhi|Integrated Defence Headquarters]]
| termlength             = Not fixed,
| nominator =  
| termlength_qualified   = May serve until the age of 65.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/chief-of-defence-staff-can-serve-till-65-says-government/article30427338.ece|title=Chief of Defence Staff can serve till 65, says government|date=29 December 2019|author=Dinakar Peri|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>
| appointer = [[Appointments Committee of the Cabinet]]
| appointer_qualified =  
| termlength = Not fixed,
| termlength_qualified = May serve until the age of 65.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/chief-of-defence-staff-can-serve-till-65-says-government/article30427338.ece|title=Chief of Defence Staff can serve till 65, says government|date=29 December 2019|author=Dinakar Peri}}</ref>
| constituting_instrument =  
| constituting_instrument =  
| precursor = [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee]]
| precursor               = [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee]]
| formation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2019|12|24}}
| formation               = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2019|12|24}}
| first = [[Bipin Rawat]]
| first                   = [[General (India)|General]] [[Bipin Rawat]]<br />{{post-nominals|country=IND|size=75%|sep=,|PVSM|UYSM|AVSM|YSM|SM|VSM|ADC}}
| last =  
| last                   =  
| abolished =  
| abolished               =  
| superseded_by =  
| superseded_by           =  
| unofficial_names =  
| unofficial_names       =  
| deputy = [[Vice Chief of Defence Staff (India)|Vice Chief of Defence Staff]]
| deputy                 = [[Chief of Integrated Defence Staff]]
| salary =  
| salary                 =  
| website = {{official website|https://www.ids.nic.in/cds.php}}
| website                 = {{official website|https://www.ids.nic.in/cds.php}}
| footnotes =  
| footnotes               =
}}
}}


The '''Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces''' ('''CDS''') is the [[chief of defence|military head]] and [[chairman]] of the [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee|Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee]] of the [[Indian Armed Forces]]. The CDS is the senior most and highest ranking uniformed officer on active duty in the Indian military, and is the principal staff officer and chief military adviser to the [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]]. The Chief also heads the [[Department of Military Affairs]]. The first Chief of Staff was [[Bipin Rawat]] who took office on 1 Jan 2020 and held it till his death on 8 Dec 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/gen-bipin-rawat-named-as-the-countrys-first-chief-of-defence-staff/articleshow/73028962.cms|title=Gen Bipin Rawat named as the country's first Chief of Defence Staff|date=30 December 2019|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref><ref name="ndtv">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/general-bipin-rawat-to-be-chief-of-defence-staff-us-congratulates-him-2156608|title=General Bipin Rawat took over as Chief of Defence Staff, US Congratulates Him|last=Ranjan|first=Rajeev|editor-last=Nair|editor-first=Arun|website=NDTV|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=IAF Helicopter Crash Live Updates: CDS Gen Bipin Rawat killed in chopper crash in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor, confirms IAF|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/iaf-helicopter-crash-live-updates-13-dead-as-chopper-with-cds-bipin-rawat-on-board-crashes-in-tamil-nadu/liveblog/88150787.cms|access-date=2021-12-08|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>
The '''Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces''' ('''CDS''') is the [[chief of defence|military head]] and permanent [[chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee]] of the [[Indian Armed Forces]].<ref name=":6" /> The Chief of Defence Staff is the senior-most and highest-ranking uniformed officer on active duty in the Indian military, and is the principal staff officer and chief military adviser to the [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]]. The Chief also heads the [[Department of Military Affairs]]. The first Chief of Defence Staff was General [[Bipin Rawat]] who took office on 1 January 2020,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/gen-bipin-rawat-named-as-the-countrys-first-chief-of-defence-staff/articleshow/73028962.cms|title=Gen Bipin Rawat named as the country's first Chief of Defence Staff|date=30 December 2019|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref><ref name="ndtv">{{Cite web|last=Ranjan|first=Rajeev|date=31 December 2019|editor-last=Nair|editor-first=Arun|title=General Bipin Rawat took over as Chief of Defence Staff, US Congratulates Him|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/general-bipin-rawat-to-be-chief-of-defence-staff-us-congratulates-him-2156608|url-status=live|access-date=2019-12-31|website=NDTV}}</ref> and held it until his [[2021 Indian Air Force Mil Mi-17 crash|death in a helicopter crash]] on 8 December 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 December 2021|title=IAF Helicopter Crash Live Updates: CDS Gen Bipin Rawat killed in chopper crash in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor, confirms IAF|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/iaf-helicopter-crash-live-updates-13-dead-as-chopper-with-cds-bipin-rawat-on-board-crashes-in-tamil-nadu/liveblog/88150787.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-08|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>


The CDS is a [[Four-star rank|four-star]] officer selected from among the serving officers of the Indian Armed Forces. While being "[[Primus inter pares|first among equals]]" among the service chiefs, the CDS is a single-point military advisor to the defence minister.<ref name="ht"/>.The CDS is assisted by a deputy, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. The CDS heads the [[Department of Military Affairs]] under the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]], as its [[Secretary to the Government of India|secretary]]. Apart from heading the DMA, the CDS is the Permanent Chairperson of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (PC-CoSC).<ref name="direct" />
The CDS is a [[Four-star rank|four-star]] officer selected from among the serving officers of the Indian Armed Forces. While being "[[Primus inter pares|first among equals]]" among the service chiefs, the CDS is a single-point military advisor to the defence minister.<ref name="ht"/> The CDS is assisted by a deputy, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. The CDS heads the [[Department of Military Affairs]] under the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]], as its [[Secretary to the Government of India|secretary]]. Apart from heading the DMA, the CDS is the Permanent Chairperson of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (PC-CoSC).<ref name="direct" />


Chief of Defence Staff is a critical position in today's era of [[hybrid warfare]], and will help increase coordination, tri-service effectiveness and integrate overall combat capabilities of Indian armed forces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/prime-minister-narendra-modi-chief-of-defence-staff-position-5908744/|title=Explained: Understanding post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)|last=Subramanian|first=Nirupama|date=16 August 2019|website=The Indian Express|access-date=2019-08-16}}</ref> The [[Defence Secretary (India)|Defence Secretary]], a civil servant, remains as the main defence adviser, whilst the CDS has been sanctioned the role of being the main military adviser, acting as the single-point military adviser to the [[Government of India|government]] and Defence Minister.{{Efn|"The three service chiefs would continue to advise the minister on matters exclusively concerning their respective services"<ref name="ht">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-sets-up-dept-of-military-affairs-to-be-headed-by-chief-of-defence-staff/story-eIC4HPIpbexJgGtpEfMaLI.html|title=Govt sets up Dept of Military Affairs to be headed by Chief of Defence Staff|date=2019-12-24|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-12-26}}</ref>}}<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Singh|first=Rajneesh|date=Summer 2017|title=Harmonising Military–Bureaucracy Relations in Defence Ministry: Some Thought|url=https://www.claws.in/images/journals_doc/1684503031_08_chap(1)(1).pdf|journal=CLAWS Journal|via=[[Centre for Land Warfare Studies]]}}</ref> India was the only large democracy which did not have a single point military advisor; with all [[P5+1|P5 countries]] having one.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20190902-enter-the-superchief-1590316-2019-08-23|title=Chief of Defence Staff: Can the new superchief call the shots?|last=Unnithan|first=Sandeep|date=23 August 2019|website=India Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823151734/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20190902-enter-the-superchief-1590316-2019-08-23|archive-date=23 August 2019|access-date=2019-08-25}}</ref>
The position of the Chief of Defence Staff was created with the aim of improving coordination, tri-service effectiveness and overall integration of the combat capabilities of the Indian armed forces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/prime-minister-narendra-modi-chief-of-defence-staff-position-5908744/|title=Explained: Understanding post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)|last=Subramanian|first=Nirupama|date=16 August 2019|website=The Indian Express|access-date=2019-08-16}}</ref> The [[Defence Secretary (India)|Defence Secretary]], a civil servant, remains as the main defence adviser, whilst the chief has the role of the main military adviser, acting as a single-point military adviser to the [[Government of India]] and the Defence Minister.{{Efn|"The three service chiefs would continue to advise the minister on matters exclusively concerning their respective services"<ref name="ht">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-sets-up-dept-of-military-affairs-to-be-headed-by-chief-of-defence-staff/story-eIC4HPIpbexJgGtpEfMaLI.html|title=Govt sets up Dept of Military Affairs to be headed by Chief of Defence Staff|date=2019-12-24|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-12-26}}</ref>}}<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Singh|first=Rajneesh|date=Summer 2017|title=Harmonising Military–Bureaucracy Relations in Defence Ministry: Some Thought|url=https://www.claws.in/images/journals_doc/1684503031_08_chap(1)(1).pdf|journal=CLAWS Journal|via=[[Centre for Land Warfare Studies]]}}</ref> At the time of the creation of the post, no analogous position existed.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20190902-enter-the-superchief-1590316-2019-08-23|title=Chief of Defence Staff: Can the new superchief call the shots?|last=Unnithan|first=Sandeep|date=23 August 2019|website=India Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823151734/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20190902-enter-the-superchief-1590316-2019-08-23|archive-date=23 August 2019|access-date=2019-08-25}}</ref>


==History==
==History==


The position was first officially suggested in 1999 following the [[Kargil War]] through the recommendations of the [[Kargil Review Committee]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-finally-get-chief-of-defence-staff-20-yrs-after-it-was-mooted/articleshow/70693751.cms|title=India to finally get chief of defence staff, 20 yrs after it was mooted|last=Pandit|first=Rajat|date=16 August 2016|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-08-16}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-top-post-its-promise-and-peril/article29184760.ece|title=A top post, its promise and peril|last=Mukherjee|first=Anit|date=2019-08-21|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-08-25|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Although a long-talked-about position in India,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/where-is-indias-chief-of-defence-staff-/articleshow/65975999.cms|title=Where is India's Chief of Defence Staff ?|last=Kanwal|first=Gurmeet|date=2018-09-27|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/modi-must-appoint-chief-of-defence-staff-and-prove-indias-political-class-isnt-fearful/252274/|title=Modi must appoint chief of defence staff – and prove India's political class isn't fearful|last=Panag|first=Lt Gen H S|date=20 June 2019|website=The Print|access-date=15 August 2019}}</ref> the official call was made public by [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] during his [[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]] speech on 15 August 2019 at [[Red Fort]], New Delhi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-narendra-modi-announces-chief-of-defence-staff-independence-day-speech-1581006-2019-08-15|title=PM Narendra Modi's mega announcement: India will now have Chief of Defence Staff|date=15 August 2019|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/73rd-independence-day-2019-live-updates/story-5tbFeVZEMAVCOYyHTV6UnM.html|title=Independence Day 2019 Live Updates- India will have a Chief of Defence Staff: PM Modi in I-Day speech|date=2019-08-15|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref> On 24 December 2019, the [[Cabinet Committee on Security]] (CCS) formally announced the creation of the position, a [[Four star General|four-star general]], a tri-service chief, that shall lead the defence forces.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Som|first=Vishnu|date=24 December 2019|editor-last=Srinivasan|editor-first=Chandrashekar|title=India To Get Its First Chief of Defence Staff, Will Be A 4-Star General|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/chief-of-defence-staff-india-to-get-its-first-chief-of-defence-staff-announcement-likely-soon-2153735|access-date=2019-12-24|website=NDTV}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=P|first=Rajat|date=24 December 2019|title=India to now get chief of defence staff, will be a 4-star general|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-now-get-chief-of-defence-staff-will-be-a-4-star-general/articleshow/72954105.cms|access-date=2019-12-24|website=The Times of India}}</ref>
The position was first officially suggested in 1999 following the [[Kargil War]] through the recommendations of the [[Kargil Review Committee]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-finally-get-chief-of-defence-staff-20-yrs-after-it-was-mooted/articleshow/70693751.cms|title=India to finally get chief of defence staff, 20 yrs after it was mooted|last=Pandit|first=Rajat|date=16 August 2016|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-08-16}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-top-post-its-promise-and-peril/article29184760.ece|title=A top post, its promise and peril|last=Mukherjee|first=Anit|date=2019-08-21|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-08-25|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Although it was previously proposed,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/where-is-indias-chief-of-defence-staff-/articleshow/65975999.cms|title=Where is India's Chief of Defence Staff ?|last=Kanwal|first=Gurmeet|date=2018-09-27|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Panag|first=Lt Gen H S|author-link=H. S. Panag|date=20 June 2019|title=Modi must appoint chief of defence staff – and prove India's political class isn't fearful|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/modi-must-appoint-chief-of-defence-staff-and-prove-indias-political-class-isnt-fearful/252274/|url-status=live|access-date=15 August 2019|website=The Print}}</ref> the official decision to create the position was made by [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] during his [[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]] speech on 15 August 2019 at the [[Red Fort]], in New Delhi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-narendra-modi-announces-chief-of-defence-staff-independence-day-speech-1581006-2019-08-15|title=PM Narendra Modi's mega announcement: India will now have Chief of Defence Staff|date=15 August 2019|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/73rd-independence-day-2019-live-updates/story-5tbFeVZEMAVCOYyHTV6UnM.html|title=Independence Day 2019 Live Updates- India will have a Chief of Defence Staff: PM Modi in I-Day speech|date=2019-08-15|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref> On 24 December 2019, the [[Cabinet Committee on Security]] (CCS) formally announced the creation of the position; a [[Four star General|four-star general]], a tri-service chief, that shall lead the defence forces.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Som|first=Vishnu|author-link=Vishnu Som|date=24 December 2019|editor-last=Srinivasan|editor-first=Chandrashekar|title=India To Get Its First Chief of Defence Staff, Will Be A 4-Star General|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/chief-of-defence-staff-india-to-get-its-first-chief-of-defence-staff-announcement-likely-soon-2153735|url-status=live|access-date=2019-12-24|website=NDTV}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Pandit|first=Rajat|date=24 December 2019|title=India to now get chief of defence staff, will be a 4-star general|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-now-get-chief-of-defence-staff-will-be-a-4-star-general/articleshow/72954105.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2019-12-24|website=The Times of India}}</ref>


The post of [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee|Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee]] (Chairman-CoSC) had been formed in 1947 as a precursor to the post of CDS, responsible for advice to the Defence Minister on all military matters.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rej|first=Abhijan|url=https://www.orfonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/ORF_Occasional_Paper_Joint_Doctrine.pdf|title=India's Joint Doctrine: A Lost Opportunity|last2=Joshi|first2=Shashank|publisher=[[Observer Research Foundation]]|year=2018|isbn=9789387407497|pages=8}}</ref><ref name="Mehra_relinquishes">{{cite web|date=31 January 1976|title=Mehra Relinquishes Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairmanship|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1976-JAN-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1976-01-31_041.pdf|access-date=27 January 2020|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive}}</ref> The senior-most of the three service chiefs would be appointed Chairman CoSC.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Rahul|date=2019-12-24|title=Govt sets up Dept of Military Affairs to be headed by Chief of Defence Staff|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-sets-up-dept-of-military-affairs-to-be-headed-by-chief-of-defence-staff/story-eIC4HPIpbexJgGtpEfMaLI.html|access-date=2020-09-15|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>
The post of the [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee|Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee]] (Chairman-CoSC) was created in 1947 as a precursor to the post of CDS, responsible for advice to the Defence Minister on all military matters.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Rej|first1=Abhijan|url=https://www.orfonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/ORF_Occasional_Paper_Joint_Doctrine.pdf|title=India's Joint Doctrine: A Lost Opportunity|last2=Joshi|first2=Shashank|publisher=[[Observer Research Foundation]]|year=2018|isbn=9789387407497|pages=8}}</ref><ref name="Mehra_relinquishes">{{cite web|date=31 January 1976|title=Mehra Relinquishes Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairmanship|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1976-JAN-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1976-01-31_041.pdf|access-date=27 January 2020|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive}}</ref> The senior-most of the three service chiefs would be appointed Chairman CoSC.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Rahul|date=2019-12-24|title=Govt sets up Dept of Military Affairs to be headed by Chief of Defence Staff|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-sets-up-dept-of-military-affairs-to-be-headed-by-chief-of-defence-staff/story-eIC4HPIpbexJgGtpEfMaLI.html|access-date=2020-09-15|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>


General [[K. V. Krishna Rao]] advanced creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff in June 1982.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Elkin|first=Jerrold F.|last2=Ritezel|first2=W. Andrew|date=1984|title=The Debate on Restructuring India's Higher Defense Organization|journal=Asian Survey|volume=24|issue=10|pages=1069–1085|doi=10.2307/2644220|issn=0004-4687|jstor=2644220}}</ref> However, officially, it was only following the [[Kargil Review Committee]]'s recommendation in 1999 that the Group of Ministers (GoM) officially proposed the creation of the post of CDS in 2001.<ref name=":3" /> Following committees, including the [[Naresh Chandra]] task force in 2012 and the Lieutenant General D. B. Shekatkar Committee in 2016, also proposed their own versions of a CDS.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-have-new-post-of-chief-of-defence-staff-pm-modi/articleshow/70686396.cms|title=PM Modi: India to have new post of Chief of Defence Staff|last=P|first=Rajat|date=15 August 2019|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref> The process of consulting all parties involved began in 2006. In 2017, the [[Cabinet Committee on Security]] started the process of making the final decision related to the creation of a post for the CDS.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-may-soon-have-chief-of-defence-staff/articleshow/49762327.cms|title=India may soon have Chief of Defence Staff|last=Pubby|first=Manu|date=2018-07-11|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/ccs-to-take-final-decision-on-chief-of-defence-staff-post-3158222.html|title=CCS to take final decision on Chief of Defence Staff post|last=PTI|date=15 December 2016|website=Firstpost|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://idsa.in/idsacomments/ChiefofDefenceStaffmustbeAppointedImmediately_gkanwal_121213|title=Chief of Defence Staff must be Appointed Immediately|last=Kanwal|first=Brig Gurmeet|date=12 December 2013|website=[[Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses]]|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref>
General [[K. V. Krishna Rao]] advanced creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff in June 1982.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Elkin|first1=Jerrold F.|last2=Ritezel|first2=W. Andrew|date=1984|title=The Debate on Restructuring India's Higher Defense Organization|journal=Asian Survey|volume=24|issue=10|pages=1069–1085|doi=10.2307/2644220|issn=0004-4687|jstor=2644220}}</ref> However, officially, it was only following the [[Kargil Review Committee]]'s recommendation in 1999 that the Group of Ministers (GoM) officially proposed the creation of the post of CDS in 2001.<ref name=":3" /> Following committees, including the [[Naresh Chandra]] task force in 2012 and the Lieutenant General D. B. Shekatkar Committee in 2016, also proposed their own versions of a CDS.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pandit|first=Rajat|date=15 August 2019|title=PM Modi: India to have new post of Chief of Defence Staff|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-have-new-post-of-chief-of-defence-staff-pm-modi/articleshow/70686396.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2019-08-15|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> The process of consulting all parties involved began in 2006. In 2017, the [[Cabinet Committee on Security]] started the process of making the final decision related to the creation of a post for the CDS.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-may-soon-have-chief-of-defence-staff/articleshow/49762327.cms|title=India may soon have Chief of Defence Staff|last=Pubby|first=Manu|date=2018-07-11|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/ccs-to-take-final-decision-on-chief-of-defence-staff-post-3158222.html|title=CCS to take final decision on Chief of Defence Staff post|last=PTI|date=15 December 2016|website=Firstpost|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://idsa.in/idsacomments/ChiefofDefenceStaffmustbeAppointedImmediately_gkanwal_121213|title=Chief of Defence Staff must be Appointed Immediately|last=Kanwal|first=Brig Gurmeet|date=12 December 2013|website=[[Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses]]|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref>


The matter had opposition over the years on various fronts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/army-chief-bipin-rawat-may-be-first-chief-of-defence-staff-1565844486769.html|title=Army chief Bipin Rawat may be first chief of defence staff|last=Roche|first=Elizabeth|date=15 August 2019|website=Livemint|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref> After the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|Indo-Pakistan War of 1971]], [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]], Air Chief Marshal [[Pratap Chandra Lal]], had threatened to quit if the post of CDS was created.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Sinha|first=S.K.|title=The Chief of Defence Staff|url=https://idsa.in/system/files/jds_1_1_sksinha.pdf|journal=Journal of Defence Studies|volume=1|issue=1|pages=133–137|via=Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses}}</ref> There were also fears that such a post would be too powerful.<ref name=":0" /> In 2001 the government was on the brink of making the then [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of the Naval Staff]] Admiral, [[Sushil Kumar (admiral)|Sushil Kumar]], the CDS. A date had been fixed including other formalities. However, due to turf wars, among other reasons, the idea was scrapped.<ref name=":2" />
The matter had opposition over the years on various fronts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/army-chief-bipin-rawat-may-be-first-chief-of-defence-staff-1565844486769.html|title=Army chief Bipin Rawat may be first chief of defence staff|last=Roche|first=Elizabeth|date=15 August 2019|website=Livemint|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref> After the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|Indo-Pakistan War of 1971]], [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]], Air Chief Marshal [[Pratap Chandra Lal]], had threatened to quit if the post of CDS was created.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Sinha|first=S.K.|date=2007|title=The Chief of Defence Staff|url=https://idsa.in/system/files/jds_1_1_sksinha.pdf|journal=Journal of Defence Studies|volume=1|issue=1|pages=133–137|via=Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses}}</ref> There were also fears that such a post would be too powerful.<ref name=":0" /> In 2001 the government was on the brink of making the then [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of the Naval Staff]] Admiral, [[Sushil Kumar (admiral)|Sushil Kumar]], the CDS. A date had been fixed including other formalities. However, due to turf wars, among other reasons, the idea was scrapped.<ref name=":2" />


Following the Prime Minister's announcement, a committee was announced on 23 August 2019 under the [[National Security Advisor (India)|National Security Advisor]], consisting of the [[Cabinet Secretary of India|Cabinet Secretary]], the [[Defence Secretary of India|Defence Secretary]] and the [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee|Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee]] (C-COSC) among others, to make final the powers of the CDS. The committee was to submit its report within six weeks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/committee-under-nsa-to-set-terms-for-cds-position/story-li74CKhSRIoBAT6zQlKxGI.html|title=NSA Ajit Doval-led panel to set terms for Chief of Defence Staff position|last=Shishir|first=Gupta|date=2019-08-23|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=2019-08-25}}</ref> By November 2019, government sources reported the committee had largely completed its tasks and would release an official charter and enabling framework for the post of CDS by mid-December.<ref name="direct">{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/new-chief-of-defence-staff-will-direct-three-service-chiefs/story-r9sHOKiMmIoYemSlXODWPK.html|title=India's first Chief of Defence Staff will direct three service chiefs|last1=Gupta|first1=Shishir|date=19 November 2019|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=24 November 2019}}</ref> On 24 December, the [[Cabinet Committee on Security]] (CCS) formally established the post of Chief of Defence Staff, a [[Four star General|four-star general]], a tri-service Chief, that shall lead the defence forces as well as play the role of head of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA).<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />
Following the Prime Minister's announcement, a committee was announced on 23 August 2019 under the [[National Security Advisor (India)|National Security Advisor]], consisting of the [[Cabinet Secretary of India|Cabinet Secretary]], the [[Defence Secretary of India|Defence Secretary]] and the [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee|Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee]] (C-COSC) among others, to make final the powers of the CDS. The committee was to submit its report within six weeks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/committee-under-nsa-to-set-terms-for-cds-position/story-li74CKhSRIoBAT6zQlKxGI.html|title=NSA Ajit Doval-led panel to set terms for Chief of Defence Staff position|last=Shishir|first=Gupta|date=2019-08-23|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=2019-08-25}}</ref> By November 2019, government sources reported the committee had largely completed its tasks and would release an official charter and enabling framework for the post of CDS by mid-December.<ref name="direct">{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/new-chief-of-defence-staff-will-direct-three-service-chiefs/story-r9sHOKiMmIoYemSlXODWPK.html|title=India's first Chief of Defence Staff will direct three service chiefs|last1=Gupta|first1=Shishir|date=19 November 2019|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=24 November 2019}}</ref> On 24 December, the [[Cabinet Committee on Security]] (CCS) formally established the post of Chief of Defence Staff, a [[Four star General|four-star general]], a tri-service Chief, that shall lead the defence forces as well as play the role of head of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA).<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />
On 15 December 2021, following the [[2021 Indian Air Force Mil Mi-17 crash|death of General Rawat]], General [[Manoj Mukund Naravane]] was appointed [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee]], pending the appointment of a new CDS.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhalla |first1=Abhishek |title=Old system till new CDS appointed: Gen Naravane as senior-most service chief fills in for Gen Bipin Rawat |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/old-system-new-cds-army-chief-general-naravane-bipin-rawat-1888316-2021-12-16 |access-date=16 December 2021 |work=India Today |date=16 December 2021}}</ref> This decision was made, as there was no clear [[order of succession]] for the CDS.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kaushik |first1=Krishn |title=Explained: No clear line of succession, CCS to decide on next CDS |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/general-bipin-rawat-dead-no-clear-line-of-succession-ccs-to-decide-on-next-cds-7663147/ |access-date=23 December 2021 |work=indianexpress.com |publisher=The Indian Express |date=9 December 2021 |location=New Delhi}}</ref>


==Description of the post==
==Description of the post==
{{see also|Jointness and integration in the Indian military}}
{{see also|Jointness and integration in the Indian military}}
 
[[File:Rank insignia for India CDS.svg|thumb|100px|Rank insignia of Chief of Defence Staff]]
As the Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, CDS will perform the following functions:<ref name=":6" />
As the Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, CDS will perform the following functions:<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|date=24 December 2019|title=Cabinet approves creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff in the rank of four star General|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1597425|access-date=2019-12-25|website=Press Information Bureau, Government of India}}</ref>
* It comprises one Additional Secretary and five Joint Secretaries.
* It comprises one Additional Secretary and five Joint Secretaries.
* Implementing weapons procurement procedures.
* Implementing weapons procurement procedures.
Line 81: Line 79:
* Bring about [[jointness]] and ensure optimal utilisation of infrastructure in the three Services.
* Bring about [[jointness]] and ensure optimal utilisation of infrastructure in the three Services.
* Apart from being the military advisor for the government, the CDS also heads the [[Department of Military Affairs (India)|Department of Military Affairs]].
* Apart from being the military advisor for the government, the CDS also heads the [[Department of Military Affairs (India)|Department of Military Affairs]].
* Authority to create theatre commands as and when needed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/seamless-efficacy-indias-first-integrated-air-defence-command-by-june-will-be-headed-by-3-star-iaf-officer/553970|title=India's first integrated Air Defence Command by June, will be headed by 3-star IAF officer|date=2020-02-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/cds-aims-to-set-up-air-defence-command-by-june-2020-1646822-2020-02-15|title=CDS aims to set up Air Defence Command by June 2020|date=2020-02-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsonair.com/Main-News-Details.aspx?id=381457|title=CDS Gen Bipin Rawat announces plan to create Peninsula Command|date=2020-02-17}}</ref>
* Authority to create theatre commands.
* Command tri-service agencies, organisations, and commands including those related to [[Defence Cyber Agency|cyber]] and [[Defence Space Agency|space]].
* Command tri-service agencies, organisations, and commands including those related to [[Defence Cyber Agency|cyber]] and [[Defence Space Agency|space]].
* CDS will be member of Defence Acquisition Council and [[Defence Planning Committee]]
* CDS will be a member of Defence Acquisition Council and [[Defence Planning Committee]]
* Function as the Military Advisor to the [[Nuclear Command Authority (India)|Nuclear Command Authority]].
* Function as the Military Advisor to the [[Nuclear Command Authority (India)|Nuclear Command Authority]].
* Bring about reforms in the functioning of three services aimed at augmenting combat capabilities of the Armed Forces by reducing wasteful expenditure.
* Bring about reforms in the functioning of three services aimed at augmenting combat capabilities of the Armed Forces by reducing wasteful expenditure.
* Assign inter-services prioritisation to capital acquisition proposals.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1597425|title=Cabinet approves creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff in the rank of four star General|date=24 December 2019|website=Press Information Bureau, Government of India|access-date=2019-12-25}}</ref>
* Assign inter-services prioritisation to capital acquisition proposals.


The CDS's salary and perquisites will be same as the service chiefs. The CDS will come under the [[Right to Information Act, 2005|Right to Information Act]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/chief-of-defence-staff-to-come-under-rti-act-nsa-led-panel-submits-report/articleshow/72340708.cms|title=Chief of defence staff to come under RTI Act; NSA-led panel submits report|last=PTI|last2=2019|date=3 December 2019|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-12-03}}</ref>
The CDS's salary and perquisites will be same as the service chiefs. The CDS will come under the [[Right to Information Act, 2005|Right to Information Act]].<ref>{{Cite web|last1=PTI|date=3 December 2019|title=Chief of defence staff to come under RTI Act; NSA-led panel submits report|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/chief-of-defence-staff-to-come-under-rti-act-nsa-led-panel-submits-report/articleshow/72340708.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2019-12-03|website=The Times of India}}</ref>


==Uniform and insignia==
==Uniform and insignia==
[[File:Rank insignia for India CDS.svg|thumb|100px|Rank insignia of Chief of Defence Staff]]
While the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) wears the appropriately coloured uniform of their parent service, the gold-wreathed tri-service emblem of the Indian Armed Forces (the Naval anchor, crossed Army swords and Air Force eagle, all surmounted by the [[State Emblem of India|national emblem of India]]) is used in place of service insignia and unit emblems. The wreathed tri-service emblem is also substituted for service cap badges, uniform button and belt badge service insignia, shoulder flashes and the shoulder rank badges of a four-star officer with The four-star [[gorget patches]] similar to that used by a service chief. While the car pennant is that of the officer's parent service, the tri-service emblem is substituted for the rank stars.<ref>{{cite news |author=Bhalla, Abhishek |title=Here is what CDS Gen Bipin Rawat's new uniform will look like |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/here-is-what-cds-gen-bipin-rawat-s-new-uniform-will-look-like-1632869-2019-12-31 |access-date=1 January 2020 |work=India Today |date=31 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Army's Sword, IAF's Eagle and Navy's Anchor on Insignia of India's First CDS Bipin Rawat |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/armys-sword-iafs-eagle-and-navys-anchor-on-insignia-as-bipin-rawat-takes-charge-as-indias-first-cds-2441909.html |access-date=1 January 2020 |work=News18 |date=1 January 2020}}</ref>
While the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) wears the appropriately coloured uniform of their parent service, the gold-wreathed tri-service emblem of the Indian Armed Forces (the Naval anchor, crossed Army swords and Air Force eagle, all surmounted by the [[State Emblem of India|national emblem of India]]) is used in place of service insignia and unit emblems. The wreathed tri-service emblem is also substituted for service cap badges, uniform button and belt badge service insignia, shoulder flashes and the shoulder rank badges of a four-star officer with The four-star [[gorget patches]] similar to that used by a service chief. While the car pennant is that of the officer's parent service, the tri-service emblem is substituted for the rank stars.<ref>{{cite news |author=Bhalla, Abhishek |title=Here is what CDS Gen Bipin Rawat's new uniform will look like |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/here-is-what-cds-gen-bipin-rawat-s-new-uniform-will-look-like-1632869-2019-12-31 |access-date=1 January 2020 |work=India Today |date=31 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Army's Sword, IAF's Eagle and Navy's Anchor on Insignia of India's First CDS Bipin Rawat |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/armys-sword-iafs-eagle-and-navys-anchor-on-insignia-as-bipin-rawat-takes-charge-as-indias-first-cds-2441909.html |access-date=1 January 2020 |work=News18 |date=1 January 2020}}</ref>


==Appointees==
==Appointees==
* {{note label|d|d|d}} Died in Office
;Key
{{dagger}} - Died in office
 
{{Officeholder table start
{{Officeholder table start
| showorder         = y
| showorder             = y
| showimage         = y
| showimage             = y
| image_title       = Portrait
| image_title           = Portrait
| officeholder_title = Chief of Defence Staff
| officeholder_title     = Chief of Defence Staff
| showtermlenght     = y
| showtermlenght         = y
| showparty         = n
| showparty             = n
| showdefencebranch = y
| showdefencebranch     = y
| showref           = y
| showref               = y
| showaltofficeholder = y
| showaltofficeholder   = y
| showpreviousoffice = y
| showpreviousoffice     = n
| alt_officeholder_title = [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]]
| alt_officeholder_title = [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]]
| defence_branch_title = Service
| defence_branch_title   = Service branch
}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 1
| order                 = 1
| image             = Bipin Rawat Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).jpg
| image                 = Bipin Rawat Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).jpg
| military_rank     = [[General (India)|General]]
| military_rank         = [[General (India)|General]]
| officeholder     = [[Bipin Rawat]]<br />{{post-nominals|country=IND|size=75%|sep=,|PVSM|UYSM|AVSM|YSM|SM|VSM|ADC}}
| officeholder           = [[Bipin Rawat]]<br />{{post-nominals|country=IND|size=75%|sep=,|PVSM|UYSM|AVSM|YSM|SM|VSM|ADC}}
| officeholder_sort =  
| officeholder_sort     = Rawat, Bipin
| officeholder_note =
| born_year             = 1958
| born_year         = 1958
| died_year             = 2021
| died_year         = 2021
| died                  = y
| term_start       = 1 January 2020
| term_start             = 1 January 2020
| term_end         = 8 December 2021{{ref label|d|d|d}}
| term_end               = [[2021 Indian Air Force Mi-17 crash|8 December 2021]]
| timeinoffice     = {{ayd|2020|01|01|2021|12|08}}
| timeinoffice           = {{ayd|2020|01|01|2021|12|08}}
| defence_branch   = {{army|India}}
| defence_branch         = {{army|India}}
| alt_officeholder = [[Rajnath Singh]]
| alt_officeholder       = [[Rajnath Singh]]
| alt_officeholder_sort  = Singh, Rajnath
| alt_officeholder_party =  
| alt_officeholder_party =  
| alt_officeholder_sort = Singh, Rajnath
| ref                    = <ref name="ndtv"/><ref name=cds>{{Cite web|date=8 December 2021|access-date=8 December 2021 |title=Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, wife among 13 killed in chopper crash|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/army-chopper-crashes-in-tamil-nadu-bipin-rawat-was-reportedly-on-board/articleshow/88161974.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst|website=The Economic Times}}</ref>
| previous_office = [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]]
| ref              =<ref name="ndtv"/>
}}
}}
{{Officeholder table end}}
{{Officeholder table end}}


== Reforms ==
== Reforms ==
Among the first reforms proposed by the new CDS was the creation of an [[Air Defence Command (India)|Air Defence Command]].<ref>{{Cite news|others=Special Correspondent|date=2020-01-02|title=Bipin Rawat holds meeting on creating Air Defence Command|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bipin-rawat-holds-meeting-on-creating-air-defence-command/article30463512.ece|access-date=2020-02-17|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Following the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]], the CDS emphasised the need to minimise costly defence imports, give a chance to [[Make in India|domestic production]] even with only 70% of the general staff qualitative requirements, and not 'misrepresent operational requirements'.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-05-10|title=CDS General Bipin Rawat reiterates ‘Make in India’ for armed forces|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/cds-general-bipin-rawat-reiterates-make-in-india-for-armed-forces/articleshow/75653805.cms|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=P|first=Rajat|date=10 May 2020|title=CDS Bipin Rawat: Forces must shun imports, go for ‘Make In India’, says Gen Bipin Rawat {{!}} India News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/forces-must-shun-imports-go-for-make-in-india-says-gen-bipin-rawat/articleshow/75652962.cms|access-date=2020-05-10|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> In February 2020, the CDS announced the creation of joint military commands and theatre commands, "[[Integrated Theatre Command|Integrated Theatre Commands]]"; and that the process of theaterisation will be complete in a number of years.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|date=17 February 2020|title=CDS General Rawat unveils big ticket military reform agenda|work=The Economic Times|agency=PTI|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/cds-general-rawat-unveils-big-ticket-military-reform-agenda/articleshow/74176340.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2020-10-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Dutta|first=Amrita Nayak|date=2020-02-04|title=India's joint military theatre command process to finish in 3 years, says CDS Bipin Rawat|url=https://theprint.in/defence/indias-joint-military-theatre-command-process-to-finish-in-3-years-says-cds-bipin-rawat/359711/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}}</ref> Each command will have units from Army, Navy and Air-force working in synergy with each other.<ref name=":7" /> In September 2021, the CDS aired views on a prospective rocket or missile force.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-17|title=EXPLAINED: What Is A Rocket Force, Which Gen Rawat Says India Needs To Fight Battles Of The Future|url=https://www.news18.com/news/explainers/explained-what-is-a-rocket-force-which-gen-rawat-says-india-needs-to-fight-battles-of-the-future-4212896.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=News18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|authors=PTI|date=15 September 2021|title=India looking at creating rocket force: CDS Gen Rawat|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-looking-at-creating-rocket-force-cds-gen-rawat/articleshow/86241305.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>  
Among the first reforms proposed by the new CDS was the creation of an [[Air Defence Command (India)|Air Defence Command]].<ref>{{Cite news|others=Special Correspondent|date=2020-01-02|title=Bipin Rawat holds meeting on creating Air Defence Command|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bipin-rawat-holds-meeting-on-creating-air-defence-command/article30463512.ece|access-date=2020-02-17|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Following the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]], the CDS emphasised the need to minimise costly defence imports, give a chance to [[Make in India|domestic production]] even with only 70% of the general staff qualitative requirements, and not 'misrepresent operational requirements'.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-05-10|title=CDS General Bipin Rawat reiterates 'Make in India' for armed forces|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/cds-general-bipin-rawat-reiterates-make-in-india-for-armed-forces/articleshow/75653805.cms|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Pandit|first=Rajat|date=10 May 2020|title=CDS Bipin Rawat: Forces must shun imports, go for 'Make In India', says Gen Bipin Rawat|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/forces-must-shun-imports-go-for-make-in-india-says-gen-bipin-rawat/articleshow/75652962.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2020-05-10|website=The Times of India}}</ref> In February 2020, the CDS announced the creation of joint military commands and theatre commands, "[[Integrated Theatre Command|Integrated Theatre Commands]]"; and that the process of theaterisation will be complete in a number of years.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|date=17 February 2020|title=CDS General Rawat unveils big ticket military reform agenda|work=The Economic Times|agency=PTI|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/cds-general-rawat-unveils-big-ticket-military-reform-agenda/articleshow/74176340.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2020-10-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Dutta|first=Amrita Nayak|date=2020-02-04|title=India's joint military theatre command process to finish in 3 years, says CDS Bipin Rawat|url=https://theprint.in/defence/indias-joint-military-theatre-command-process-to-finish-in-3-years-says-cds-bipin-rawat/359711/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}}</ref> Each command will have units from Army, Navy and Air-force working in synergy with each other.<ref name=":7" /> In September 2021, the CDS aired views on a prospective rocket or missile force.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-17|title=EXPLAINED: What Is A Rocket Force, Which Gen Rawat Says India Needs To Fight Battles Of The Future|url=https://www.news18.com/news/explainers/explained-what-is-a-rocket-force-which-gen-rawat-says-india-needs-to-fight-battles-of-the-future-4212896.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=News18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|authors=PTI|date=15 September 2021|title=India looking at creating rocket force: CDS Gen Rawat|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-looking-at-creating-rocket-force-cds-gen-rawat/articleshow/86241305.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>  


== See also ==
== See also ==

Revision as of 18:50, 16 January 2022


Chief of Defence Staff
Seal of Chief of Defence Staff (India).png
Seal of the Chief of Defence Staff
Flag of Chief of Defence Staff (India).svg
Flag of the Chief of Defence Staff
Incumbent
Vacant
since 8 December 2021
Integrated Defence Staff
TypeChief of Defence
StatusLeader of the Armed Forces, Highest ranking military officer
AbbreviationCDS
Member ofChiefs of Staff Committee
National Security Council
Defence Acquisition Council
Defence Planning Committee
Nuclear Command Authority
Reports toFlag of India.svg Prime Minister
Flag of the Ministry of Defence of India.svg Minister of Defence
ResidenceNew Delhi, India
SeatIntegrated Defence Headquarters
AppointerAppointments Committee of the Cabinet
Term lengthNot fixed,
May serve until the age of 65.[1]
PrecursorChairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
Formation24 December 2019; 5 years ago (2019-12-24)
First holderGeneral Bipin Rawat
PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, ADC
DeputyChief of Integrated Defence Staff
Websitewww.ids.nic.in/cds.php

The Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces (CDS) is the military head and permanent chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Indian Armed Forces.[2] The Chief of Defence Staff is the senior-most and highest-ranking uniformed officer on active duty in the Indian military, and is the principal staff officer and chief military adviser to the Minister of Defence. The Chief also heads the Department of Military Affairs. The first Chief of Defence Staff was General Bipin Rawat who took office on 1 January 2020,[3][4] and held it until his death in a helicopter crash on 8 December 2021.[5]

The CDS is a four-star officer selected from among the serving officers of the Indian Armed Forces. While being "first among equals" among the service chiefs, the CDS is a single-point military advisor to the defence minister.[6] The CDS is assisted by a deputy, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. The CDS heads the Department of Military Affairs under the Ministry of Defence, as its secretary. Apart from heading the DMA, the CDS is the Permanent Chairperson of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (PC-CoSC).[7]

The position of the Chief of Defence Staff was created with the aim of improving coordination, tri-service effectiveness and overall integration of the combat capabilities of the Indian armed forces.[8] The Defence Secretary, a civil servant, remains as the main defence adviser, whilst the chief has the role of the main military adviser, acting as a single-point military adviser to the Government of India and the Defence Minister.[lower-alpha 1][9] At the time of the creation of the post, no analogous position existed.[10]

History

The position was first officially suggested in 1999 following the Kargil War through the recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee.[11][12] Although it was previously proposed,[13][14] the official decision to create the position was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech on 15 August 2019 at the Red Fort, in New Delhi.[15][16] On 24 December 2019, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) formally announced the creation of the position; a four-star general, a tri-service chief, that shall lead the defence forces.[17][18]

The post of the Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee (Chairman-CoSC) was created in 1947 as a precursor to the post of CDS, responsible for advice to the Defence Minister on all military matters.[19][20] The senior-most of the three service chiefs would be appointed Chairman CoSC.[21]

General K. V. Krishna Rao advanced creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff in June 1982.[22] However, officially, it was only following the Kargil Review Committee's recommendation in 1999 that the Group of Ministers (GoM) officially proposed the creation of the post of CDS in 2001.[12] Following committees, including the Naresh Chandra task force in 2012 and the Lieutenant General D. B. Shekatkar Committee in 2016, also proposed their own versions of a CDS.[23] The process of consulting all parties involved began in 2006. In 2017, the Cabinet Committee on Security started the process of making the final decision related to the creation of a post for the CDS.[24][25][26]

The matter had opposition over the years on various fronts.[27] After the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal, had threatened to quit if the post of CDS was created.[28] There were also fears that such a post would be too powerful.[28] In 2001 the government was on the brink of making the then Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral, Sushil Kumar, the CDS. A date had been fixed including other formalities. However, due to turf wars, among other reasons, the idea was scrapped.[10]

Following the Prime Minister's announcement, a committee was announced on 23 August 2019 under the National Security Advisor, consisting of the Cabinet Secretary, the Defence Secretary and the Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee (C-COSC) among others, to make final the powers of the CDS. The committee was to submit its report within six weeks.[29] By November 2019, government sources reported the committee had largely completed its tasks and would release an official charter and enabling framework for the post of CDS by mid-December.[7] On 24 December, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) formally established the post of Chief of Defence Staff, a four-star general, a tri-service Chief, that shall lead the defence forces as well as play the role of head of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA).[17][18]

On 15 December 2021, following the death of General Rawat, General Manoj Mukund Naravane was appointed Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, pending the appointment of a new CDS.[30] This decision was made, as there was no clear order of succession for the CDS.[31]

Description of the post

See also: Jointness and integration in the Indian military
Rank insignia of Chief of Defence Staff

As the Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, CDS will perform the following functions:[2]

  • It comprises one Additional Secretary and five Joint Secretaries.
  • Implementing weapons procurement procedures.
  • Integrating operations of the Army, Air Force and Navy.
  • Bring about jointness and ensure optimal utilisation of infrastructure in the three Services.
  • Apart from being the military advisor for the government, the CDS also heads the Department of Military Affairs.
  • Authority to create theatre commands.
  • Command tri-service agencies, organisations, and commands including those related to cyber and space.
  • CDS will be a member of Defence Acquisition Council and Defence Planning Committee
  • Function as the Military Advisor to the Nuclear Command Authority.
  • Bring about reforms in the functioning of three services aimed at augmenting combat capabilities of the Armed Forces by reducing wasteful expenditure.
  • Assign inter-services prioritisation to capital acquisition proposals.

The CDS's salary and perquisites will be same as the service chiefs. The CDS will come under the Right to Information Act.[32]

Uniform and insignia

While the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) wears the appropriately coloured uniform of their parent service, the gold-wreathed tri-service emblem of the Indian Armed Forces (the Naval anchor, crossed Army swords and Air Force eagle, all surmounted by the national emblem of India) is used in place of service insignia and unit emblems. The wreathed tri-service emblem is also substituted for service cap badges, uniform button and belt badge service insignia, shoulder flashes and the shoulder rank badges of a four-star officer with The four-star gorget patches similar to that used by a service chief. While the car pennant is that of the officer's parent service, the tri-service emblem is substituted for the rank stars.[33][34]

Appointees

Key

dagger - Died in office

No. Portrait Chief of Defence Staff Took office Left office Time in office Service branch Minister of Defence Ref
1
Bipin Rawat PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, ADC
Rawat, BipinGeneral
Bipin Rawat
PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, ADC
(1958–2021)		1 January 20208 December 2021 †1 year, 341 days Indian ArmySingh, RajnathRajnath Singh[4][35]

Reforms

Among the first reforms proposed by the new CDS was the creation of an Air Defence Command.[36] Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDS emphasised the need to minimise costly defence imports, give a chance to domestic production even with only 70% of the general staff qualitative requirements, and not 'misrepresent operational requirements'.[37][38] In February 2020, the CDS announced the creation of joint military commands and theatre commands, "Integrated Theatre Commands"; and that the process of theaterisation will be complete in a number of years.[39][40] Each command will have units from Army, Navy and Air-force working in synergy with each other.[39] In September 2021, the CDS aired views on a prospective rocket or missile force.[41][42]

See also

References

Notes

  1. ↑ "The three service chiefs would continue to advise the minister on matters exclusively concerning their respective services"[6]

Citation

  1. ↑ Dinakar Peri (29 December 2019). "Chief of Defence Staff can serve till 65, says government". The Hindu.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Cabinet approves creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff in the rank of four star General". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 24 December 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  3. ↑ "Gen Bipin Rawat named as the country's first Chief of Defence Staff". The Economic Times. 30 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ranjan, Rajeev (31 December 2019). Nair, Arun (ed.). "General Bipin Rawat took over as Chief of Defence Staff, US Congratulates Him". NDTV. Retrieved 31 December 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ↑ "IAF Helicopter Crash Live Updates: CDS Gen Bipin Rawat killed in chopper crash in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor, confirms IAF". The Times of India. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Govt sets up Dept of Military Affairs to be headed by Chief of Defence Staff". Hindustan Times. 24 December 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Gupta, Shishir (19 November 2019). "India's first Chief of Defence Staff will direct three service chiefs". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  8. ↑ Subramanian, Nirupama (16 August 2019). "Explained: Understanding post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)". The Indian Express. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  9. ↑ Singh, Rajneesh (Summer 2017). "Harmonising Military–Bureaucracy Relations in Defence Ministry: Some Thought" (PDF). CLAWS Journal – via Centre for Land Warfare Studies.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Unnithan, Sandeep (23 August 2019). "Chief of Defence Staff: Can the new superchief call the shots?". India Today. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  11. ↑ Pandit, Rajat (16 August 2016). "India to finally get chief of defence staff, 20 yrs after it was mooted". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Mukherjee, Anit (21 August 2019). "A top post, its promise and peril". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  13. ↑ Kanwal, Gurmeet (27 September 2018). "Where is India's Chief of Defence Staff ?". The Economic Times. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  14. ↑ Panag, Lt Gen H S (20 June 2019). "Modi must appoint chief of defence staff – and prove India's political class isn't fearful". The Print. Retrieved 15 August 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ↑ "PM Narendra Modi's mega announcement: India will now have Chief of Defence Staff". India Today. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  16. ↑ "Independence Day 2019 Live Updates- India will have a Chief of Defence Staff: PM Modi in I-Day speech". Hindustan Times. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Som, Vishnu (24 December 2019). Srinivasan, Chandrashekar (ed.). "India To Get Its First Chief of Defence Staff, Will Be A 4-Star General". NDTV. Retrieved 24 December 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Pandit, Rajat (24 December 2019). "India to now get chief of defence staff, will be a 4-star general". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 December 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ↑ Rej, Abhijan; Joshi, Shashank (2018). India's Joint Doctrine: A Lost Opportunity (PDF). Observer Research Foundation. p. 8. ISBN 9789387407497.
  20. ↑ "Mehra Relinquishes Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairmanship" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India - Archive. 31 January 1976. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  21. ↑ Singh, Rahul (24 December 2019). "Govt sets up Dept of Military Affairs to be headed by Chief of Defence Staff". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  22. ↑ Elkin, Jerrold F.; Ritezel, W. Andrew (1984). "The Debate on Restructuring India's Higher Defense Organization". Asian Survey. 24 (10): 1069–1085. doi:10.2307/2644220. ISSN 0004-4687. JSTOR 2644220.
  23. ↑ Pandit, Rajat (15 August 2019). "PM Modi: India to have new post of Chief of Defence Staff". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 August 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ↑ Pubby, Manu (11 July 2018). "India may soon have Chief of Defence Staff". The Economic Times. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  25. ↑ PTI (15 December 2016). "CCS to take final decision on Chief of Defence Staff post". Firstpost. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  26. ↑ Kanwal, Brig Gurmeet (12 December 2013). "Chief of Defence Staff must be Appointed Immediately". Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  27. ↑ Roche, Elizabeth (15 August 2019). "Army chief Bipin Rawat may be first chief of defence staff". Livemint. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Sinha, S.K. (2007). "The Chief of Defence Staff" (PDF). Journal of Defence Studies. 1 (1): 133–137 – via Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.
  29. ↑ Shishir, Gupta (23 August 2019). "NSA Ajit Doval-led panel to set terms for Chief of Defence Staff position". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  30. ↑ Bhalla, Abhishek (16 December 2021). "Old system till new CDS appointed: Gen Naravane as senior-most service chief fills in for Gen Bipin Rawat". India Today. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  31. ↑ Kaushik, Krishn (9 December 2021). "Explained: No clear line of succession, CCS to decide on next CDS". indianexpress.com. New Delhi: The Indian Express. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  32. ↑ PTI (3 December 2019). "Chief of defence staff to come under RTI Act; NSA-led panel submits report". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 December 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  33. ↑ Bhalla, Abhishek (31 December 2019). "Here is what CDS Gen Bipin Rawat's new uniform will look like". India Today. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  34. ↑ "Army's Sword, IAF's Eagle and Navy's Anchor on Insignia of India's First CDS Bipin Rawat". News18. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  35. ↑ "Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, wife among 13 killed in chopper crash". The Economic Times. 8 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  36. ↑ "Bipin Rawat holds meeting on creating Air Defence Command". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 2 January 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 February 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  37. ↑ "CDS General Bipin Rawat reiterates 'Make in India' for armed forces". The Economic Times. 10 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  38. ↑ Pandit, Rajat (10 May 2020). "CDS Bipin Rawat: Forces must shun imports, go for 'Make In India', says Gen Bipin Rawat". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 "CDS General Rawat unveils big ticket military reform agenda". The Economic Times. PTI. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  40. ↑ Dutta, Amrita Nayak (4 February 2020). "India's joint military theatre command process to finish in 3 years, says CDS Bipin Rawat". ThePrint. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  41. ↑ "EXPLAINED: What Is A Rocket Force, Which Gen Rawat Says India Needs To Fight Battles Of The Future". News18. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  42. ↑ PTI (15 September 2021). "India looking at creating rocket force: CDS Gen Rawat". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)

External links

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