New Delhi: While addressing the nation on its 73rd Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a major military reform to further strengthen India's defence forces. From the ramparts of Red Fort, PM Modi announced creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to spearhead the three services - Army, Navy and the Air Force. The demand for the same was held up since it was proposed for the first time post the Kargil conflict in 1999. During his first Independence Day speech after resuming to power for the second term, PM Modi stressed on the fact that appointment of a CDS will ensure a better coordination between the three services.

Announcing a landmark military reform, PM Modi said, "Our government has decided to have a Chief of Defence Staff- CDS. It will help all three services to walk together as the country can no longer afford to work in silos," Modi said, adding India has to keep pace with the changing world." So, now let us understand what would be the actual role of a Chief of Defence Staff and other permutations and combinations revolving around it.


What is a Chief of Defence Staff

In simpler terms, Chief of Defence Staff will be a one-point-contact to all defence forces of India and also be a single-point advisor to the Government of India. Making country's armed forces integrated and in synergy, the CDS will advise the government on issues pertaining to betterment of all the three services - Army, Navy and Air Force. The CDS will also be the head of all the three services and will be a five-star military officer.

The CDS will be senior to the service chiefs and his primary role will be to work towards increasing operational coordination among the Army, Navy or Air Force and deal with India's national security with a comprehensive approach. The CDS will also act as a single-point military adviser to the prime minister and defence minister on key defence and strategic issues.

A high-level committee set up to examine the gaps in the country's security system in the wake of the Kargil war in 1999 had called for appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff as a single-point military adviser to the Defence Minister. A group of ministers that analysed required reforms in the national security system had also favoured appointing a chief of defence staff.

Back in 2012, the Naresh Chandra Task force had recommended creating the post of a permanent chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. Former Army Chief Gen. (retd) VP Malik said the decision will make India's national security 'more effective' as it will ensure multi-disciplinary coordination. "Thank you PM Modi for announcing historic step of institution of CDS. This step will make our national security more effective and more economical. It will ensure better jointmanship and multi-disciplinary coordination. Salute!," he tweeted.

Under the present structure, the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC) coordinates tri-services issues. The CoSC comprises the Army, Navy and IAF chiefs and the senior-most among them acts as its chairman. Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa is currently serving as chairman of CoSC.