What are the duties of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as Head of the Department of Military Affair

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Question

What are the duties of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as Head of the Department of Military Affairs?Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee.Exercise military command over the three Service Chiefs.Principal Military Advisor to Defence Minister on all tri-service matters.Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: D — 1 and 3 onlyStep-by-step Solution:The post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was created in 2019 following recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee and the Group of Ministers. The CDS heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) in the Ministry of Defence.Statement 1 — Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee: This is correct. The CDS functions as the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC), which previously had a rotating chairmanship. This gives the CDS a permanent, senior position in the tri-services structure. ✓Statement 2 — Exercises military command over the three Service Chiefs: This is incorrect. The CDS does NOT exercise military command over the three Service Chiefs. The Army Chief, Navy Chief, and Air Force Chief continue to exercise operational and administrative command over their respective services. The CDS is a primus inter pares (first among equals) for coordination and jointness — not a commander over the three Chiefs. ✗Statement 3 — Principal Military Advisor to the Defence Minister on all tri-service matters: This is correct. The CDS acts as the Principal Military Advisor to the Defence Minister (Raksha Mantri) on all matters relating to the three Services. The three Service Chiefs continue to advise the Defence Minister on matters exclusively concerning their respective services. ✓Therefore, only Statements 1 and 3 are correct.Why other options are incorrect:Option A (1, 2 and 3): Incorrect. Statement 2 is wrong — the CDS does not exercise command over the Service Chiefs.Option B (1 and 2 only): Incorrect. Statement 2 is factually wrong.Option C (2 and 3 only): Incorrect. Statement 2 is wrong and Statement 1 is also correct.Key Concept: Key functions of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS): Heads the Department of Military Affairs as its Secretary; Acts as Principal Military Advisor to the Defence Minister on tri-service matters; Serves as Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee; Member of the Defence Acquisition Council; Military Advisor to the Nuclear Command Authority; Promotes jointness in operations, logistics, training, and communication among the three services; Implements the Five-Year Defence Capital Acquisition Plan. The first CDS of India was General Bipin Rawat (2019–2021), who died in a helicopter crash on 8 December 2021. General Anil Chauhan was appointed as the second CDS in September 2022. The creation of Theatre Commands (integrated operational commands) is a key ongoing reform being pursued under the CDS framework.

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