Army Chief Bipin Rawat will be the first Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) of the country. The central government had on Sunday raised the age limit for CDS posts. Rawat is retiring from the post of Army Chief on 31 December. Rawat will be replaced by Manoj Mukund Narwane as the new Army Chief. The rank of CDS will be equivalent to the 'Four Star' general and will be at the top of the heads of all the armies.
The Ministry of Defense has amended the Army Rules, 1954 in terms of tenure and service. The ministry, in its notification dated December 28, stated that the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) or the head of Tri-Services would be able to serve till the age of 65 years. It provided, "Provided that the Central Government may extend the service of the Chief of Defense Staff in the public interest if it considers necessary." General Bipin Rawat will retire from the post of Army Chief on 31 December. According to the current rules, heads of three services can serve up to the age of 62 or up to three years.
The position and charter were approved in the cabinet meeting
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the CDS Post and its Charter and Duties on 24 December. The special thing is that CDS will not be eligible to assume any government post after leaving the post.
Suggestion was given after Kargil war
CDS will be the unified military advisor to the Army, Air Force and Navy. The Kargil Security Committee, set up in 1999, suggested in this regard. The purpose of appointing the Chief of Defense Staff is to increase coordination between the three forces to meet the security challenges facing India. On 15 August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the historic military reform, saying that there would be a chief for all three of India's forces, which would be called the CDS. Following the Prime Minister's announcement, an implementation committee was formed under the chairmanship of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to finalize the modalities and responsibilities of the appointment of the CDS.
