The Narendra Modi led Cabinet Committee on Security (CSS) on Tuesday (24 December) approved the creation of the much awaited Military post - Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

While the name of India’s first CDS has not yet been revealed, the government has announced that it will be a four star general. Currently, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat is widely expected to be the first CDS of India.

CDS will be a secretary level rank and it will come with its own military department.

History

Incidentally, a demand to create the CDS post in India’s military vertical dates back to 1982 when the then army chief General K V Krishna Rao sought its creation.

In the modern era, its creation was part of the Kargil review committee recommendation, made after the 1999 war.

The review committee had found that during the war, especially in the initial days, there was little coordination between the Army and the Air Force — a shortcoming that threatened to prolong the conflict.

A group of ministers, headed by the then deputy prime minister, L K Advani, had echoed the committee’s recommendation. However, lack of political consensus and resistance from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the bureaucracy, made sure that the proposal did not move ahead.

It is speculated that the IAF’s opposition to this role stems from the fact that it believes its creation would increase the army’s domination.

The Narendra Modi led government finally appeared to have established consensus over the matter and the Prime Minister announced the potential creation of the post during his 2019 Independence Day address.

Specifics Of The Role

As reported by defence journalist Shiv Aroor the CDS is encapsulated by a proposal to create a Department of Military Affairs (DMA) under the Defence Ministry, and will exclusively work in relation with India’s military matters.

The Indian Armed Forces will thus fall under the DMA which will be headed by the CDS. This department will be equipped with both military and civilian officials with appropriate expertise to manage military affairs. The DMA will also be responsible for establishing the much awaited theatre commands.

CDS who will also be a Chairman of Chief of Staff Committee, will act as the principal military adviser to the Defence Minister on tri-service matters. It should be noted that the CDS will not be the “single point” adviser to the government.

The CDS will administer tri-service organisations but will not exercise any military command, including that on the three service chiefs.

The CDS will be a member of the Defence Planning Committee and Defence Acquisition Council and will be expected to integrate matters such as operations, transport, logistic, services, training, communications of army-navy-air force in the next three years.

CDS will be responsible to implement the five year defence acquisition plan and enhance the share of Made in India defence products in the armed forces. CDS will also be responsible to end “colonel era obsolete practices” in the armed forces and usher in reforms to augment combat capabilities. The CDS will also prepare strategy papers on military matters and submit them to the competent authority.