Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

SEO Title: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS): Appointment, Functions, Department of Military Affairs and Key Facts

Category: Polity & Governance | Defence & Security | Constitutional & Institutional Bodies

UPSC Notes

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is the highest-ranking uniformed officer in India's armed forces and serves as the principal military adviser to the government on matters related to the armed forces, subject to the government's authority.

Key Pointers

  • Post created: 2019.

  • First CDS: General Bipin Rawat.

  • CDS is a four-star General/Admiral/Air Chief equivalent.

  • Serves as:

    • Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.

    • Head of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA).

  • Promotes jointness and integration among the three services.

  • Important areas:

    • Theatre commands

    • Joint planning

    • Procurement coordination

    • Integration of armed forces

  • CDS is not the operational commander of the three services.

  • The three service chiefs continue to head their respective services.

Prelims Focus: 2019 → four-star → DMA → Permanent Chairman COSC → jointness/integration.