Chief of Defence Staff (India): Difference between revisions

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{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 ==
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