CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF - DEFENCE AND SECURITY
News: ‘Panchaloha’
bust of first Chief of Defence Staff to be installed in Delhi
What's in the news?
● The
efforts of ex-servicemen from Cuddalore district to pay homage to the country’s
first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat, who died in a
helicopter crash in Coonoor on December 8, 2021, are finally bearing fruit as
the ‘panchaloha’ bust
commissioned
by them is set to be installed on the premises of the United Service Institution of India (USI) Complex at Shankar Vihar,
Delhi, next month.
CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF:
● In
December 2019, the Union Cabinet had given approval to create the post of CDS in the rank of a four-star General
and then Army Chief Gen Rawat was appointed for the post.
● CDS
is the rank of a four-star General with salary and perquisites equivalent to a
Service Chief and then Army Chief General.
● General
Bipin Rawat was appointed as the first CDS.
● The
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is a member of:
○ Chiefs
of Staff Committee
○ National
Security Council
○ Defence
Acquisition Council
○ Defence
Planning Committee
○ Nuclear
Command Authority
○ Defence
Cyber Agency
○ Defence
Space Agency
Organization:
● The
DMA was created as the fifth department
in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) with the CDS functioning as its Secretary.
● To
act as the primary military advisor to
the Government.
● To
create jointness among the armed
forces.
● To
facilitate creation of integrated
theater commands.
● To
help in prioritizing capital acquisition for the modernization of the forces.
Mandate:
● The
mandate of the CDS includes bringing about jointness in “operations, logistics,
transport, training, support services, communications, repairs and maintenance
of the three Services, within three years of the first CDS assuming office.”
Role in Defense Procurement:
● While
capital procurements are still with the DoD, the prioritization is with the
CDS.
Recent Amendment:
The
government in a recent notification has amended the service rules of the armed
forces, related to the eligibility for the post of Chief of Defence Staff
(CDS).
Amendments to service rules:
1. Vacancy: Since India’s first CDS General Bipin Rawat had died, the post has been vacant. The government amended the service rules of the armed forces to fill the vacancy.
2. Intent of the amendment: To make all serving and recently retired three-star and four-star officers from the three services who are under the age of 62 eligible for the post of CDS.
3. Three-star officers: Lt General, Air Marshal and Vice Admiral.
4. Four-star officers: The CDS, the chiefs of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
5. Amended Rules & regulations: To enable the three star officer’s appointment to the post of CDS, the Government has amended the Army Rules, 1954; the Naval Ceremonial, Conditions of Service and Miscellaneous Regulations, 1963; and the Air Force Regulations, 1964.
6. Service Extension:
The Government also has notified possible extension of the service of the CDS
if deemed necessary subject to a maximum age of 65 years.