CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Internal Security)

Context: Recently, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), delivered a compelling address at the Space Seminar and Exhibition held in New Delhi. In his speech, he stressed the critical need for establishing a resilient defence space ecosystem.

About Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

• Background:

oRecommended by Group of Ministers (GoM) in 2001 following the Kargil Review Committee report.

oNaresh Chandra Committee (2012) proposed a Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee as a step towards CDS.

oPost of CDS created in 2019 based on recommendations of Lt General DB Shekatkar's committee.

• Roles and Responsibilities:

oTo head the Department of Military Affairs in Ministry of Defence and function as its Secretary.

oTo act as the Principal Military Advisor to Hon’ble Raksha Mantri on all Tri-Service matters.

oTo function as the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee

oTo administer the Tri-Service organizations/agencies/commands.

oTo be a member of Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri.

oTo function as the Military Advisor to the Nuclear Command Authority.

oTo bring about jointness in operation, logistics, transport, training, support services, communications, repairs and maintenance, etc. of the three Services.