<h4>Introduction to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)</h4><p>The <strong>Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)</strong> is the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the Indian Armed Forces, serving as the principal military adviser to the Defence Minister.</p><p>This pivotal post was established to bring about greater synergy and integration among the three services: the <strong>Indian Army</strong>, <strong>Indian Navy</strong>, and <strong>Indian Air Force</strong>.</p><h4>Historical Recommendations for CDS</h4><p>The idea for a <strong>CDS</strong> originated from the recommendations of a <strong>Group of Ministers (GoM)</strong> in <strong>2001</strong>.</p><div class='info-box'><p>The <strong>GoM</strong> was constituted to review the findings of the <strong>Kargil Review Committee (1999)</strong>, which highlighted critical gaps in inter-service coordination during the <strong>Kargil War</strong>.</p></div><p>Following the <strong>GoM's</strong> suggestions, the government established the <strong>Integrated Defence Staff (IDS)</strong> in <strong>2002</strong>. This body was intended to eventually function as the <strong>CDS's Secretariat</strong>.</p><p>Further recommendations came from the <strong>Naresh Chandra Committee</strong> in <strong>2012</strong>, which proposed a <strong>Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee</strong> as an interim step to address concerns regarding the <strong>CDS</strong> post.</p><div class='exam-tip-box'><p>UPSC often asks about the committees and their recommendations. Remember <strong>Kargil Review Committee (1999)</strong> &rarr; <strong>GoM (2001)</strong> &rarr; <strong>Naresh Chandra Committee (2012)</strong> &rarr; <strong>Shekatkar Committee (2016)</strong> for the evolution of the CDS concept.</p></div><h4>Creation of the CDS Post</h4><p>The post of <strong>Chief of Defence Staff</strong> was finally created in <strong>2019</strong>, based on the recommendations of a committee of defence experts.</p><div class='info-box'><p>This committee was headed by <strong>Lt General DB Shekatkar</strong>, and its report significantly influenced the final decision to establish the <strong>CDS</strong>.</p></div><p>On <strong>December 31, 2019</strong>, <strong>General Bipin Rawat</strong> was appointed as the <strong>first Chief of Defence Staff</strong> of India, marking a historic milestone in India's defence reforms.</p><h4>Key Roles and Responsibilities of the CDS</h4><p>The <strong>CDS</strong> serves as the <strong>single-point military adviser</strong> to the <strong>Defence Minister</strong> on matters concerning all three services.</p><div class='key-point-box'><p>This role ensures integrated military advice, preventing fragmented counsel from individual service chiefs who are expected to focus on their respective service-specific issues.</p></div><p>The <strong>CDS</strong> also heads the newly established <strong>Department of Military Affairs (DMA)</strong> within the <strong>Ministry of Defence</strong>.</p><p>As the head of the <strong>DMA</strong> and <strong>Permanent Chairman-Chiefs of Staff Committee</strong>, the <strong>CDS</strong> holds the authority to prioritize <strong>inter-service procurement decisions</strong>, streamlining defence acquisitions.</p><p>While the <strong>CDS</strong> can issue directives to the three service chiefs, it is crucial to note that he <strong>does not possess any command authority</strong> over any of the forces.</p><div class='info-box'><p>The <strong>CDS</strong> is considered <strong>"first among equals"</strong> among the service chiefs, holding the rank of a <strong>Secretary</strong> within the <strong>Department of Defence (DoD)</strong>.</p></div><p>The powers of the <strong>CDS</strong> are primarily confined to the <strong>revenue budget</strong> of the defence forces, focusing on operational and maintenance expenditures rather than capital acquisitions.</p><p>Additionally, the <strong>CDS</strong> plays an <strong>advisory role</strong> in the <strong>Nuclear Command Authority (NCA)</strong>, contributing to India's nuclear deterrence strategy.</p>