English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Chief of Defence Staff: From powers to eligibility criteria to tenure, here’s what we know

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is the military head and chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Indian Armed Forces. Read to know its powers, eligibility criteria, tenure and more.

Published

on

Chief of Defence Staff

By Kritika Bobal

The untimely demise of General Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in the IAF helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu throws up multiple challenges for the BJP government to who will fill the place of the highest level of the military hierarchy.

With one year remaining in his tenure, it is the biggest task for the government to whom to hand over the top army position and choose the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

In January 2020, General Rawat had taken over the charge as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff.

Who is CDS? Why is it a dual-hatted role: What does that mean?

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is the military head and chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Indian Armed Forces- Army, Navy, and Air Force. CDS is considered a dual-hatted role because CDS wears two hats- One he is the permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee which includes the three service chiefs and the other as head of the ministry’s newly created Department of Military Affairs (DMA).

Does CDS command the three service chiefs?

No. The three service chiefs- Army, Navy, and Air Force continues to advise the Defence Ministry on matters concerning their respective services. So, the government has also stated that the CDS does not have any military authority, including command over the three service chiefs. The service chiefs, on the other hand, are serving the Chiefs of Staff Committee, which is chaired by the CDS.

Have the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force lost any powers to CDS?

No, none of the service chiefs’ powers, including advising the government, have been transferred to the CDS. The three service chiefs continue to carry out the orders of the Defence Ministry, which is responsible for drafting them, obtaining government approval, and communicating them to the defense services for implementation.

Read Also: Army helicopter crash: CDS General Bipin Rawat got selected in NDA because of matchbox, know full story

Powers of Chief of Defence Staff

  1. He is the Defense Minister’s Principal Military Advisor on all tri-Services issues.
  2. He serves as the Atomic Command Authority’s military advisor.
  3. The CDS does not have any military authority.
  4. The CDS is a member of the Defense Acquisition Council, which is chaired by the Defense Minister.
  5. He is the permanent chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.
  6. CDS also serves as the head of the Department of Military Affairs.

Eligibility Criteria for CDS

Officers who are qualified for the CDS must possess a four-star General rank in the Indian Army or an equivalent position in the Indian Air Force (Air Chief Marshal) or the Indian Navy (Admiral), according to the guidelines.

As a result, all three service chiefs and the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy commands are entitled to become a CDS.

Tenure of Chief of Defence Staff

A CDS can now serve until the age of 65 under new military standards. The three Service heads will serve until they reach the age of 62 or three years, whichever is earlier.

Who is likely to be appointed as the next CDS?

Army Chief General MM Naravane, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, and Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar are all being considered for the position of CDS. MM Naravane is the frontrunner for the post of CDS among the three candidates.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

Published

on

Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

Continue Reading

India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

Published

on

Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

Published

on

Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com