Chief of Defence Staff (India): Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Leader of the Indian Armed Forces}}
{{short description|Leader of the Indian Armed Forces}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{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             = yes
| flagborder = yes
| flagcaption             = Flag of the Chief of Defence Staff
| flagcaption = Flag of the Chief of Defence Staff
| image                   =  
| image =Anil Chauhan Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).jpg
| imagesize               =  
| imagesize =  
| alt                     =  
| alt =  
| imagecaption           =
| imagecaption =  
| incumbent               = ''Vacant''
| incumbent = [[General (India)|General]] [[Anil Chauhan]]<br/>{{post-nominals|country=IND|size=75%|sep=,|PVSM|UYSM|AVSM|SM|VSM}}
| acting                 =  
| acting = N
| incumbentsince         = 8 December 2021
| incumbentsince = 30 September 2022
| department             = [[Integrated Defence Staff]]
| department = {{flagicon image|Flag of Integrated Defence Staff.svg}} [[Integrated Defence Staff]]
| style                   =  
| style =  
| type                   = Chief of Defence
| type = Chief of Defence Forces
| 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<br>[[National Security Council (India)|National Security Council]]<br>Defence Acquisition Council<br>[[Defence Planning Committee]]<br>[[Nuclear Command Authority (India)|Nuclear Command Authority]]
| member_of = {{plainlist|
| 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]]
* Chiefs of Staff Committee
| residence               = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
* [[National Security Council (India)|National Security Council]]
| seat                   = [[Secretariat Building, New Delhi|Integrated Defence Headquarters]]
* Defence Acquisition Council
| nominator               =  
* [[Defence Planning Committee]]
| appointer               = [[Appointments Committee of the Cabinet]]
* [[Nuclear Command Authority (India)|Nuclear Command Authority]]
| appointer_qualified     =  
}}
| termlength             = Not fixed,
| 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]]
| 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>
| residence = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
| seat = [[Secretariat Building, New Delhi|Integrated Defence Headquarters]]
| nominator =  
| appointer = [[Appointments Committee of the Cabinet]]
| appointer_qualified =  
| termlength = 3 years,
| termlength_qualified = or 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>
| constituting_instrument =  
| constituting_instrument =  
| precursor              = [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee]]
| formation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2020|1|1}}
| formation               = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2019|12|24}}
| first = [[General (India)|General]] [[Bipin Rawat]]<br />{{post-nominals|country=IND|size=75%|sep=,|PVSM|UYSM|AVSM|YSM|SM|VSM|ADC}}
| 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 = [[Chief of Integrated 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 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 '''Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces''' ('''CDS''') is the [[chief of defence|professional head]] and permanent [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee]] (COSC) of the [[Indian Armed Forces]].<ref name=":6" /> The Chief of Defence Staff is the highest-ranking uniformed officer on active duty in the Indian military and chief military adviser to the [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]]. The Chief also heads the [[Department of Military Affairs]]. The CDS is assisted by a vice-chief, the [[Chief of Integrated Defence Staff]].<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" />
The first Chief of Defence Staff, General [[Bipin Rawat]], took office on 1 January 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|date=30 December 2019|title=Gen Bipin Rawat named as the country's first Chief of Defence Staff|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/gen-bipin-rawat-named-as-the-countrys-first-chief-of-defence-staff/articleshow/73028962.cms|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref> The position was created with the aim of improving coordination, tri-service effectiveness and [[Jointness and integration in the Indian military|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> 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><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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816105926/https://www.claws.in/images/journals_doc/1684503031_08_chap(1)(1).pdf|archive-date=16 August 2019|via=[[Centre for Land Warfare Studies]]}}</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>
Setting the stage for appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the government amended Service Rules of the Army, Navy and Air Force, allowing retired Service Chiefs and three-star officers eligible for consideration for the country’s top military post.
 
However, with an age limit that the retired officer should not have attained 62 years on the date of appointment, retired Service chiefs are largely ruled out, especially so for the present consideration.  
 
“The Central Government may, if considered necessary, in public interest, appoint as CDS, an officer who is serving as Lieutenant General or General or an officer who has retired in the rank of Lieutenant General or General but has not attained the age of 62 on the date of appointment,” the amendment in the Service Rules of the Army says in the gazette dated 6 June 2022. Similar amendment was made in the service rules of Navy and Air Force as well.<ref>{{Cite news |title= CDS selection pool widened: RTD, serving 3-star officers too eligible|date=7 June 2022 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/govt-cds-selection-pool-lt-generals-air-marshals-vice-admirals-7957384/}}</ref>
 
On 28 Sep 2022, the Government decided to appoint Lt General [[Anil Chauhan]] (Retired) PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) who shall also function as Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Military Affairs with effect from the date of his assumption of charge and until further orders.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1863084|title=Government appoints Lt General Anil Chauhan (Retired) as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)|publisher=PIB|date=2022-09-28|access-date=2022-09-28}}</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 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 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>
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|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 need for a Chief of Defence Staff was felt as early as 1960s following wars with Pakistan and China.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Balan|first=Varun Ramesh|date=15 August 2019|title=A history of the demand for a Chief of Defence Staff|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2019/08/15/a-history-of-the-demand-for-a-chief-of-defence-staff.html|access-date=2022-02-05|website=The Week}}</ref> Over the years the creation of such as post was raised.<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>{{Cite web|last=Pandit|first=Rajat|date=16 August 2016|title=India to finally get chief of defence staff, 20 yrs after it was mooted|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-finally-get-chief-of-defence-staff-20-yrs-after-it-was-mooted/articleshow/70693751.cms|access-date=2019-08-16|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Mukherjee|first=Anit|date=2019-08-21|title=A top post, its promise and peril|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-top-post-its-promise-and-peril/article29184760.ece|url-access=limited|access-date=2019-08-25|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> 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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815132713/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-have-new-post-of-chief-of-defence-staff-pm-modi/articleshow/70686396.cms |archive-date=15 August 2019 }}</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.|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" />
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|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> 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" />
The official decision to create the position was made by Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] during his [[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]] speech on 15 August 2019 at the [[Red Fort]], in New Delhi.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|date=15 August 2019|title=PM Narendra Modi's mega announcement: India will now have Chief of Defence Staff|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-narendra-modi-announces-chief-of-defence-staff-independence-day-speech-1581006-2019-08-15|access-date=2019-08-15|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web|date=2019-08-15|title=Independence Day 2019 Live Updates- India will have a Chief of Defence Staff: PM Modi in I-Day speech|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/73rd-independence-day-2019-live-updates/story-5tbFeVZEMAVCOYyHTV6UnM.html|access-date=2019-08-15|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> Following the 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, the committee had largely completed its tasks.<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 2022}}</ref> On 24 December, the [[Cabinet Committee on Security]] (CCS) formally established the post of Chief of Defence Staff.<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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224103107/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/chief-of-defence-staff-india-to-get-its-first-chief-of-defence-staff-announcement-likely-soon-2153735|archive-date=24 December 2019|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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224112818/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-now-get-chief-of-defence-staff-will-be-a-4-star-general/articleshow/72954105.cms|archive-date=24 December 2019|access-date=2019-12-24|website=The Times of India}}</ref>


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>
The first Chief of Defence Staff was General [[Bipin Rawat]] who took office on 1 January 2020.<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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231052118/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/general-bipin-rawat-to-be-chief-of-defence-staff-us-congratulates-him-2156608|archive-date=31 December 2019|access-date=2019-12-31|website=NDTV}}</ref> On 15 December 2021, following the [[2021 Indian Air Force Mil Mi-17 crash|death of General Rawat]],<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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208114324/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|archive-date=8 December 2021|access-date=2021-12-08|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> 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|date=9 December 2021|title=Explained: No clear line of succession, CCS to decide on next CDS|work=|publisher=The Indian Express|location=New Delhi|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/general-bipin-rawat-dead-no-clear-line-of-succession-ccs-to-decide-on-next-cds-7663147/|url-access=registration|access-date=23 December 2021}}</ref>


==Description of the post==
==Functions==
{{see also|Jointness and integration in the Indian military}}
At the time of creation of the post in December 2019, and as the permanent [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee]], the CDS would implement integration and jointness of the three services, assign inter-services prioritisation to capital acquisition proposals, command the tri-service agencies, head the [[Department of Military Affairs (India)|Department of Military Affairs]] and be a member of overall defence planning among other responsibilities.<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><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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204064127/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/chief-of-defence-staff-to-come-under-rti-act-nsa-led-panel-submits-report/articleshow/72340708.cms |archive-date=4 December 2019 }}</ref>
[[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">{{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.
* 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 (India)|Department of Military Affairs]].
* 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]].
* 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]].
* 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, 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>
Among the first reforms proposed by the firsts 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 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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510210142/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/forces-must-shun-imports-go-for-make-in-india-says-gen-bipin-rawat/articleshow/75652962.cms|archive-date=10 May 2020|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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918051432/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|archive-date=18 September 2021|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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915182721/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-looking-at-creating-rocket-force-cds-gen-rawat/articleshow/86241305.cms|archive-date=15 September 2021|access-date=2021-09-22|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>


==Uniform and insignia==
==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 [[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 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|date=31 December 2019|title=Here is what CDS Gen Bipin Rawat's new uniform will look like|work=India Today|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 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=1 January 2020|title=Army's Sword, IAF's Eagle and Navy's Anchor on Insignia of India's First CDS Bipin Rawat|work=News18|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 2022}}</ref>
{{multiple image
| align = center
| direction = horizantal
| total_width = 750
| image1 = Rank insignia for India CDS.svg
| caption1 = Rank insignia
| image2 = Indian CDS Peak Cap.jpg
| caption2 = Peak Cap
| image3 = Indian CDS Belt Buckle.jpg
| caption3 = Belt Buckle
| image4 = Indian CDS Buttons.jpg
| caption4 = Buttons
}}


==Appointees==
==Appointees==
;Key
;Key
{{dagger}} - Died in office
{{dagger}} - Died in office
§ - Appointee retired from a [[Three-star rank|3-star rank]]


{{Officeholder table start
{{Officeholder table start
Line 119: Line 130:
| died                  = y
| died                  = y
| term_start            = 1 January 2020
| term_start            = 1 January 2020
| term_end              = [[2021 Indian Air Force Mi-17 crash|8 December 2021]]
| term_end              = [[2021 Indian Air Force Mil 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}}
Line 125: Line 136:
| alt_officeholder_sort  = Singh, Rajnath
| alt_officeholder_sort  = Singh, Rajnath
| alt_officeholder_party =  
| alt_officeholder_party =  
| 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>
| 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|website=The Economic Times}}</ref>
}}
! colspan=9| Vacant<br />{{small|(9 December 2021–29 September 2022)}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                  = 2
| image                  = Anil Chauhan Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).jpg
| military_rank          = [[General (India)|General]]
| officeholder          = [[Anil Chauhan]] <br />{{post-nominals|country=IND|size=75%|sep=,|PVSM|UYSM|AVSM|SM|VSM}}
| officeholder_sort      = Chauhan, Anil
| born_year              = 1961
| died_year              =
| died                  = n
| term_start            = 30 September 2022 §
| term_end              = ''Incumbent''
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|2022|9|30}}
| defence_branch        = {{army|India}}
| alt_officeholder      = [[Rajnath Singh]]
| alt_officeholder_sort  = Singh, Rajnath
| alt_officeholder_party =
| ref                    = <ref>{{cite press release|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1863084|title=Government appoints Lt General Anil Chauhan (Retired) as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)|publisher=PIB|date=2022-09-28}}</ref>
}}
}}
{{Officeholder table end}}
{{Officeholder table end}}
== 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=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 ==
Line 136: Line 163:
* [[Chief of the General Staff (India)|Chief of the General Staff]]
* [[Chief of the General Staff (India)|Chief of the General Staff]]
* [[Commander-in-Chief, India|Commander-in-Chief of India]]
* [[Commander-in-Chief, India|Commander-in-Chief of India]]
* [[Defence Secretary (India)]]


== References ==
== References ==
=== Notes ===
{{reflist}}
{{notelist}}
 
== Further reading ==
{{refbegin|35em}}
;Books
* {{Cite book|last=Mukherjee|first=Anit|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=45KwDwAAQBAJ|title=The Absent Dialogue: Politicians, Bureaucrats, and the Military in India|date=2019|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-090590-3|language=en}}


=== Citation ===
;Think-tanks and journals
{{reflist}}
* {{Cite web|last=Patil|first=Sameer|date=2021-12-16|title=The legacy of India's first CDS|url=https://www.gatewayhouse.in/the-legacy-of-indias-first-cds/|access-date=|website=|publisher=Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Kumar|first=Brig (Retd) V Jai|date=12 January 2021|editor-last=Bajwa|editor-first=Lt Gen JS|title=Chief of Defence Staff – Game Changer or Damp Squib?|url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/chief-of-defence-staff-game-changer-or-damp-squib/|journal=Indian Defence Review|volume=36|issue=1}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Ahuja|first=Anil|date=1 January 2021|title=Institution of the Chief of Defence Staff: Evaluating the First Year|url=https://www.delhipolicygroup.org/uploads_dpg/publication_file/institution-of-the-chief-of-defence-staff-evaluating-the-first-year-2145.pdf|journal=DPG Policy Brief|publisher=Delhi Policy Group|volume=6|issue=1}}
* {{Citation|last=Venkataraman|first=R|title=Chief of Defence Staff, a year later: Lack of Clarity and an ambiguous Mandate|date=25 January 2021|url=https://www.thepeninsula.org.in/2021/01/25/chief-of-defence-staff-a-year-later-lack-of-clarity-and-an-ambiguous-mandate/?print=pdf|publisher=The Peninsula Foundation, Tamil Nadu}}


;Articles
* {{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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815035745/https://theprint.in/opinion/modi-must-appoint-chief-of-defence-staff-and-prove-indias-political-class-isnt-fearful/252274/|archive-date=15 August 2019|website=The Print}}
{{refend}}
== External links ==
== External links ==
*{{Commons category-inline|Chief of Defence Staff (India)}}
*{{Commons category-inline|Chief of Defence Staff (India)}}