Appointment Of CDS – Rules Modified Analysis

Table of Contents

Question

Chief of Defence staff (CDS) is seen as vital institution in the integration of tri-service assets. With reference to above statement, Discuss the appointment process of CDS and importance of the office in Indian defence architecture.

There are no fixed rules for the selection of the CDS.
It is principally a decision that the government takes keeping in mind the border security challenges.
Any “commanding officer” of the three services – Indian Army, Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy – is eligible for the post of the CDS.
The government takes the decision on the basis of merit-cum-seniority of the military officer. The person holding the post of CDS should not be older than 65.

As the CDS, India’s top military officer has multiple roles to play.
1. CDS is the Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) in the Defence Ministry
2. CDS is also permanent Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee
3. CDS also serves as the Principal Advisor to the Defence Minister
Note: Theatrisation of the Indian armed forces was one the prime ideas of Late Gen Rawat. The theatre command process had got delayed as the air force and navy expressed differences with General Rawat’s ideas.

Based on the new government notification, approximately 150 serving and 50 retired Lt Generals and three serving Service Chiefs below the age of 62 years will be eligible for the post of CDS.
Before the changes, if only, commanding officers are considered then this list would have had 20-odd names.

Of course the appointment of CDS is the prerogative of civilian government, but the latest changes raise some questions…
1. Was the pool of commanding officers & service chiefs not enough?
2. If a retired officer is appointed as CDS, will it affect the morale of serving chiefs/officers?
3. What if a junior officer is appointed as CDS by superseding other senior officers?

It would be prudent for the government to lay down the competency requirements for the post of the CDS and restrict the selection panel. In the long term, the armed forces must reform their appraisal system and introduce merit-cum-seniority for all selection ranks.
1. A special committee can be setup comprising of the NSA, retired Service Chiefs, Cabinet Secretaries with the Defence Minister as chairperson.
  - The special committee must scrutinise the dossiers of officers to shortlist three names in order of priority.
2. The final decision can be left to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).