Ahead of the expected announcement of the name of the first ever Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the Government has amended rules putting the maximum age limit of 65 years for the CDS to serve in the post. At present, the Services chiefs retire at the age of 62 or a tenure of three years, whichever is earlier.
Since the CDS will be senior most four-star general and above the three Chiefs, the Government can give him an extension up to the age of 65 years, an official gazette on Sunday said. It also said the step was taken after amending the Army Rules 1954.
The gazette notification said, “Provided that the Central Government may, if considered necessary, in public interest, so to do, give extension of service to the Chief of Defence Staff for such period or periods as it may deem necessary subject to the maximum age of 65 years.” Moreover, the same rule of three years or age of 65 years will be applicable to the CDS as in the case of the Services Chiefs.
Incidentally, the Cabinet Secretary, who is the senior most bureaucrat in the Central Government, also retires at the age of 62. The Government has the right to give him or extension of service.
The Government is likely to name the new CDS on Monday or Tuesday. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, who retires on December 31, is the front runner for the new post. If he is selected for the top job, he will get more years as the CDS since he is retiring after completing three years but is yet to attain the age of 62.
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat is the senior most chief amongst the three Chiefs.
The Union Cabinet on Tuesday had approved the landmark reform in defence by clearing the creation of the post of CDS. The CDS, a long pending need to keep pace with modern day warfare world over, will act as single-point military adviser to the Government in higher defence management besides ensuring synergy amongst the three Services in terms of operations and optimum utilisation of resources.
The CDS will function as the Principal Military Adviser to the Defence Minister and also as the Permanent Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC).
First among equals among service chiefs, the CDS will be responsible for rationalising weapons procurement procedures besides integrating the operation of the armed forces. However, he will not exercise any military command over the three Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
He will be under the ambit of the Right of Information Act. Most of the developed countries including the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) have CDS for ensuring jointness and synergy.
The Prime Minister in his speech from Red Fort on August 15 this year had made the important announcement about the creation of the CDS and said time has come to enhance coordination among the three services to deal with security challenges facing India.