New Delhi (NVI): A day before his retirement, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat was today named India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), who will head the newly-established Department of Military Affairs in the Ministry of Defence.
The CDS will focus on better synergy between the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy and 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.
Gen Rawat was to retire tomorrow as the Army Chief after serving for three years in the post. He will be succeeded as the Army Chief by Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane, currently the Vice Chief of Army Staff.
