New Delhi: The Defense Ministry issued a gazette notifications on Tuesday to amend regulations of the three defence forces regarding the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff.
The Defence Ministry on Tuesday amend regulations governing the appointment of the CDS. The Central Government may consider officers serving as Lt General equivalent or General equivalent, or officers who have retired in the rank of Lt General or General but have not reached the age of 62 on the date of appointment, when appointing a new CDS.
The CDS post has been vacant since the untimely death of General Bipin Rawat.
A CDS is the government’s single point of contact for military advice, with a slew of critical responsibilities ranging from presiding over the planned integrated theatre command, which includes all fighting formations, to leading the Integrated Defence Staff. As the defence ministry’s senior most soldier, the CDS is also in charge of the Make in India in defence programme and has been tasked with promoting and ensuring the Aatmanirbhar Bharat scheme in the defence sector.
India lost its first CDS, General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 12 other defence personnel in a tragic helicopter crash on the outskirts of Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, on December 8, 2021.
