The ministry of defence has issued gazette notifications to amend regulations of three defence forces – Army, Navy and Air Force — related to the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
- The post remains vacant since the death of General Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash in December 2021.
- Rawat, India’s first CDS, was killed in a Mi-17V5 crash near Coonoor (Tamil Nadu) on December 8.
- The amended rules will allow serving or retired three-star officers Lt General-rank officers to be eligible for the post, but with the condition that the age at the time of appointment is under 62 years.
- Effectively, the Chiefs of the three armed forces, who retire at 62 years or after putting in 3 years of service (whichever is earlier), will not be eligible unless they get selected before the retirement date or retire before they reach 62.
- It said the government may extend the service of the Chief of Defence Staff “for such period as it may deem necessary subject to a maximum age of 65 years”.
About Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
- The Union Cabinet on December 24, 2019 approved to create the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in the rank of a four-star General with salary and perquisites equivalent to a Service Chief.
- The Chief of Defence Staff also heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), created within the Ministry of Defence and functions as its Secretary.
- The Chief of Defence Staff, apart from being the head of the Department of Military Affairs, also is the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.
- He acts as the Principal Military Adviser to the Defence Ministry on all tri-Services matters.
- CDS does not exercise any military command, including over the three Service Chiefs, so as to be able to provide impartial advice to the political leadership.
As the Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, CDS performs the following functions:
- He administers tri-services organisations.
- Tri-service agencies/organisations/commands related to Cyber and Space is under the command of the CDS.
- CDS is also a member of Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Defence Minister and Defence Planning Committee chaired by NSA.
- He functions as the Military Adviser to the Nuclear Command Authority.
GS TIMES UPSC PRELIMS & MAINS CURRENT AFFAIRS BASED BASICS DAILY ONLINE TEST CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ FOR STATE CIVIL SERVICES
MORE THAN 30 QUESTIONS FORM GS TIMES UPSC 2022 PRELIMS CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY TEST
