New Delhi (NVI): General Bipin Rawat today assumed charge as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), a post created for better synergy between the Army, the Indian Air Force and the Navy.
Gen Rawat was appointed to the post yesterday, a day ahead of his retirement as the Army Chief. He will head the newly-established Department of Military Affairs in the Ministry of Defence.
The CDS will function as a single-point advisor to the government on matters related to the military.
The CDS will be the “first among equals” with respect to the three service chiefs, all four-star officers themselves who will retain the operational command of their respective forces.
The post of CDS, recommendation regarding which was under consideration for two decades, was created recently.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally promised to create the post when he addressed the nation on this year’s Independence Day, his first in the second term.
The government on December 24 took the decision to establish the post, saying it would be occupied by a four-star officer from the Army, the Navy or the Air Force.
Subsequently, the rules of the three Services were amended to allow a CDS to serve until the age of 65.
Till now, a Service chief retires after either completing three years in office or attaining the age of 62, whichever is earlier.
According to a government order, Gen Rawat will be the CDS from today “until further orders and extension in service”.
He was commissioned into the Indian Army in December 1978.
Gen Rawat was succeeded as the Army Chief by Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane.
