New Delhi: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has been named India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
He was due to retire on December 31.
The CDS will be a four-star General, the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister, and head the new Department of Military Affairs while ensuring jointness in training, logistics and procurement in the three services.
On December 24, the Cabinet Committee on Security had approved the creation of the CDS position on the suggestion of the Kargil Review Committee in 1999.
Following which, the rules for the maximum age limit of 65 years for the CDS was amended by the Centre on December 29.
