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.

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