New Delhi: The government on Monday announced outgoing Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat as first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
His appointment came a day before his superannuation as the Army Chief.
“The government has decided to appoint Gen Bipin Rawat as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) with effect from December 31, 2019 and until further orders and extension in service of Gen Bipin Rawat with effect from December 31, 2019 and till such period he holds the office of CDS,” an official statement issued late night on Monday.
Gen Rawat will now be the principal advisor to the government on defence issues while also being the Defence Advisor to India’s Nuclear Command Authority.
As CDS, Gen Rawat will also focus on integration and jointness among the three Services — the Army, the Navy and the Air Force — and will steer defence procurement.
Gen Rawat will be regarded as the first among equals and his office will be at South Block.
The government on Sunday amended rules putting the maximum age limit of 65 years for the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to serve in the post.
The changes have been made in the services rules of the Army, Navy and the Indian Air Force for extension of retirement age of the Chief of Defence Staff to a maximum of 65 years if a service chief is appointed to the post, according to a notification by the defence ministry.
In a landmark decision, the Cabinet Committee on Security on Tuesday approved the creation of the CDS.
