Gen Rawat To Take Charge As First CDS On New Year's Day; Will Don New Parent Service Uniform

Earlier on Tuesday, General Rawat relinquished the post of Army Chief and handed over charge to General M.M. Naravane.

New Delhi: India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat arrives for his guard of honour at South Block lawns in New Delhi, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. (PTI Photo/Arun Sharma)

New Delhi: General Bipin Rawat who has been appointed as the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff, will officially take charge on the first day of the new year 2020. He will have his office in South Block here and shall have the parent service uniform. On Monday, the former Army Chief was appointed India's first CDS. Gen Bipin Rawat, with a distinguished career behind him, retired from the post of the Army Chief on Tuesday after a three-year tenure. "Chief of the Defence Staff  CDS on assumption of appointment will have his office in South Block. CDS shall have parent Service uniform. Rank badges & accoutrements of CDS reflect Jointness, Integration, Synergy," the Additional Directorate General of Public Information -Indian Army, tweeted on Tuesday. In successive tweets, the Army shared representational images of rank badges and accoutrements like peak cap, button on working dress, belt buckle, and car flag of the CDS.

Chief of the Defence Staff #CDS on assumption of appointment will have his office in South Block. #CDS shall have parent Service uniform.

Rank badges & accoutrements of #CDS reflect #Jointness#Integration #Synergy — ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 31, 2019

In this combo photo, (extreme left) shoulder rank badges; (top row, from left) car flag and peak cap; (botton row, from left) buttons on working dress and belt buckle, of the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat are seen. (PTI Photo) Earlier on Tuesday, General Rawat relinquished the post of Army Chief and handed over charge to General M.M. Naravane. Before demitting office General Rawat said: "During my three years' tenure as Chief of Army Staff, I can say, we focused more on weapon modernisation, force restructuring and non-contact warfare." On Sunday, the Ministry of Defence amended Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force rules. As per amended rules, CDS or tri-service chief will be able to serve till the age of 65. As per existing government rules, the three service chiefs can serve up to the age of 62 or for three years, whichever is earlier. The Union Cabinet on December 24 approved the Chief of Defence Staff's (CDS) post and its charter and duties. The CDS will be a 4-star general who will head the new Department of Military Affairs.