Appointment of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

Context

  • The Government of India has appointed Lt General Anil Chauhan (Retired) as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
    • He will also function as a Secretary to the Department of Military Affairs. 

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

  • Genesis: The CDS was created in 2019 for a dual role, as the most senior uniformed officer in rank (First among equals) and as a Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs.
  • Roles: To act as the primary military advisor to the government.
    • To create jointness among the armed forces.
    • To facilitate creation of integrated theater commands.
    • To help in prioritizing capital acquisition for the modernisation of the forces.

Work done by CDS since its inception

  • Last CDS had directed the commissioned officers at the level of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in each of the services, to report on the possible structure of integrated theater commands.
  • Theater Commands: As per the submitted reports, four to five integrated theater commands have been envisioned:
  • One for air defense.
  • One maritime defense.
  • Two land-based theater commands for the western border (Pakistan) and northern border (China).
    • Or an additional integrated command including the area under the Northern Army Command presently at the borders with Pakistan and China in the UTs of J&K and Ladakh.
  • Collective strength: As per the requirement, the integrated commands will be able to utilize resources from all the three services available under them. 
    • The operational control of all resources will be with the Theatre Commander, which will report to the Chiefs of Staff Committee headed by the CDS.

Widened CDS Selection Pool

The government in a recent notification has amended the service rules of the armed forces, related to the eligibility for the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

Amendments to service rules:

  • Vacancy: Since India’s first CDS General Bipin Rawat had died, the post has been vacant.  The government amended the service rules of the armed forces to fill the vacancy.
  • Intent of the amendment: To make all serving and recently retired three-star and four-star officers from the three services who are under the age of 62 eligible for the post of CDS.
  • Three-star officers: Lt General, Air Marshal and Vice Admiral.
  • Four-star officers: The CDS, the chiefs of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
  • Amended Rules & regulations: To enable the three star officer’s appointment to the post of CDS, the government has amended the Army Rules, 1954; the Naval Ceremonial, Conditions of Service and Miscellaneous Regulations, 1963; and the Air Force Regulations, 1964.
  • Service Extension: The government also has notified possible extension of the service of the CDS if deemed necessary subject to a maximum age of 65 years.

Critical Analysis of the amended rules

  • Benefits (Wider Pool): The amendments to the service rules for the Army, Navy and Air Force will make the potential candidates on a level playing field with the serving officers.
  • Issues (Seniority vs. Merit): As a convention, usually the most senior officer of the service is appointed as a service chief.  Thus, the appointment of a serving or a retired three-star officer over the serving four-star officers might create issues.

Way Forward

  • Last CDS General Rawat had planned the reorganization of the armed forces into integrated theater commands along with other measures to bring synergy and efficiency in operations.
  • It will be the responsibility of the new CDS to build consensus over the reorganization plan by catering to objections from the Air Force and addressing other grievances.
  • It will help in India’s defense preparedness and modernization, promote the image as a net security provider in the South Asian region and prevent aggression on borders (LAC and LOC).

Source: TH

 

Other News of the Day

Context The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has made the registration of IMEI number of all mobile phones mandatory before their sale in India on its anti-counterfeit and lost handset blocking portal from January 1, 2023.  All mobile phones, whether made locally or imported, will need to be registered and get IMEI (International mobile equipment identity...
Read More

In News The Prime Minister is to inaugurate the Mahakaleshwar Corridor constructed in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain at a cost of Rs 350 crore, on October 11. Background The temple in its present form was built by the Maratha general Ranoji Shinde in 1734 CE.  Before Independence, the Devasthan Trust used to look after the temple. ...
Read More

In News Recently, a study claimed that the Mediterranean medicinal plant considered a cure-all that mysteriously vanished 2,000 years ago may still be around. About Silphion About the plant It was found in the Mediterranean. It was a golden-flowered plant.  Anatolia (Turkey)  A researcher from Istanbul University found a plant species in 2021 at three...
Read More

In News  The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its front organisations as an “unlawful association” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). About UAPA  The UAPA is India’s main law against terrorism and terrorist activities. It allows the government to declare an organisation an “unlawful association” or...
Read More

In News  The National Green Tribunal (NGT) dismissed the case it took up suo motu on the grant of forest clearance for the 3000-MW Dibang hydel project without meeting the precondition of declaring a national park. The Tribunal did so after it was informed by Arunachal Pradesh that “the local people are not willing to...
Read More

In News  Methane emissions will likely increase by 13 per cent by 2030 without the Global Methane Pledge. About Global Methane Pledge,  It was launched in 2021, aims to keep alive the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal.  Over a 100 countries have committed to reducing global methane emissions by at least 30 per cent by 2030...
Read More

In News Recently, the Supreme Court directed to stop all commercial activities within a 500-metre radius of the Taj Mahal. More about the news The Supreme Court recently directed the Agra Development Authority to stop all commercial activities within a 500-metre radius of the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The apex court has...
Read More

In News Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the MOEFCC has set a new target of a 40% reduction in particulate matter concentration in cities by 2026. About The target was updated due to an overall improvement in PM10 levels in 2021. 20 cities have met the national standards for annual average PM10 concentration...
Read More

In Context Recently, Hurricane Fiona hit the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Correlation of Climate change & hurricanes  About: Although scientists have not yet concluded that Fiona's behaviour or severity was influenced by climate change, there is compelling evidence that these catastrophic storms are getting worse. Change in nature of hurricanes: Hurricanes are becoming wetter,...
Read More

In News Recently, the DXC Technology India MD said that the Moonlighting is only one challenge and that is not reason enough for a company to put an end to work from home that had proved to be beneficial for a large chunk of employees. Wipro has recently sacked around 300 employees for 'moonlighting'.  What...
Read More

In News The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has reported 26 Buddhist caves in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve following an exploration exercise this year. About History:  The caves date back to the time between 2nd century BC and 5th century BC, and pertain to the Mahayana sect of Buddhism.  The exploration was held in...
Read More