What is a chief of defence staff (CDS)?

A chief of defence staff (CDS) is the single-point military adviser to the government and is expected to inject some much-needed synergy in planning, procurements, training and logistics among the Army, Navy and IAF. The CDS will handle all tri-Service issues and push for “greater jointness” among the Army, Navy and IAF, which often pull in different directions without any inter-Service prioritization to systematically build the country’s military capabilities within budgetary constraints.

Why chief of defence staff is called General Number 1?

Though a four-star general like the three chiefs, the CDS will be the 'first among equals’ in the hierarchy. But the Army, Navy and IAF chiefs will have operational command of their forces.

Who recommended setting up of a CDS?

A high-level committee set up to examine the gaps in the country's security system in the wake of the Kargil war in 1999 had called for appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff as a single-point military adviser to the Defence Minister. A group of ministers analysing required reforms in the national security system had also favoured appointing a Chief of Defence Staff. In 2012, the Naresh Chandra Task force had recommended creating the post of a permanent chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.

With the announcement of India's first CDS, the country’s defence establishment will also need to focus on setting up unified or theatre commands – with all military assets in a region under a single operational commander - for a greater offensive punch from limited resources in the years ahead. At present, India has 17 single-service commands and only two tri-Service commands in the shape of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, a theatre or regional command, and the Strategic Forces Command, which handles the nuclear weapons. Apart from being much more cost-effective, theatre commands are required for the conduct of synergized land-air-sea operations with unity of command in modern-day warfare.

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This story is from December 30, 2019

India gets its first chief of defence staff: All you need to know

| TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Dec 30, 2019, 22:03 IST

NEW DELHI: The government on Mondayappointed General Bipin Rawat as country's first chief of defence staff (CDS).

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on December 24 approved the CDS post and its charter and duties.

The CDS will act as the Principal Military Adviser to the defence minister on tri-services matters. The three service chiefs will continue to advise the defence minister on matters exclusively concerning their respective forces.

Here's all you need to know about CDS:

What is a chief of defence staff (CDS)?A chief of defence staff (CDS) is the single-point military adviser to the government and is expected to inject some much-needed synergy in planning, procurements, training and logistics among the Army, Navy and IAF. The CDS will handle all tri-Service issues and push for “greater jointness” among the Army, Navy and IAF, which often pull in different directions without any inter-Service prioritization to systematically build the country’s military capabilities within budgetary constraints.
Why chief of defence staff is called General Number 1?Though a four-star general like the three chiefs, the CDS will be the 'first among equals’ in the hierarchy. But the Army, Navy and IAF chiefs will have operational command of their forces.
Who recommended setting up of a CDS?A high-level committee set up to examine the gaps in the country's security system in the wake of the Kargil war in 1999 had called for appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff as a single-point military adviser to the Defence Minister. A group of ministers analysing required reforms in the national security system had also favoured appointing a Chief of Defence Staff. In 2012, the Naresh Chandra Task force had recommended creating the post of a permanent chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.
What next after CDS?With the announcement of India's first CDS, the country’s defence establishment will also need to focus on setting up unified or theatre commands – with all military assets in a region under a single operational commander - for a greater offensive punch from limited resources in the years ahead. At present, India has 17 single-service commands and only two tri-Service commands in the shape of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, a theatre or regional command, and the Strategic Forces Command, which handles the nuclear weapons. Apart from being much more cost-effective, theatre commands are required for the conduct of synergized land-air-sea operations with unity of command in modern-day warfare.