Chief of Defence Staff

Why in news?

• The tragic and untimely death of the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash has created a vacuum at the highest levels of India’s military hierarchy

About Chief of Defence Staff:

• The Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces (CDS) is the military head and chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Indian Armed Forces.
• The Chief of Defence Staff is the senior-most and highest-ranking uniformed officer on active duty in the Indian military, and is the principal staff officer and chief military adviser to the Minister of Defence.
• The Chief also heads the Department of Military Affairs.
• The first Chief of Defence Staff was Bipin Rawat who took office in January 2020 and held it until his death in December 2021
• The CDS is a four-star officer selected from among the serving officers of the Indian Armed Forces.
• While being "first among equals" among the service chiefs, the CDS is a single-point military advisor to the defence minister.
• Establishment of a CDS is a step in the direction of fulfilling the long-pending reform in the Indian armed forces. It was recommended by the Kargil Review Committee in 2001 and reiterated by the Naresh Chandra committee in 2012.

Purpose:

• 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.
• The Defence Secretary, a civil servant, remains as the main defence adviser, whilst the chief has the role of the main military adviser.

Functions:

• 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.
• Authority to create theatre commands as and when needed.
• Command tri-service agencies, organisations, and commands including those related to cyber and space.
• CDS will be a member of Defence Acquisition Council and Defence Planning Committee
• Function as the Military Advisor to the Nuclear Command Authority.
• Bring about reforms in the functioning of three services aimed at augmenting combat capabilities of the Armed Forces by reducing wasteful expenditure.
• Assign inter-services prioritisation to capital acquisition proposals.

Add ons:

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

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)?

1. CDS heads the Department of Military Affairs

2. CDS will be a member of Defence Acquisition Council and Defence Planning Committee

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer