Gen Bipin Rawat to be India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS); ACC clears appointment

In ar massive step towards getting India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), current COAS General Bipin Rawat, on Monday, has been cleared by Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) for post as per sources. This development comes a day after Central Government amended Army Rule of 1954 which w provides an extension of tenure of Chief of Defence Staff if deemed necessary. Hence 61-year old Rawat who is touted to be next CDS can serve upto of 65 w.

Armed forces service rules amended; Army, Navy & IAF chiefs can serve till 65 if me CDS

CDS tenure amended

Earlier on Saturday, government issued a tification amending Army Rules 1954, making it inapplicable to new Chief of Defence Staff. service chiefs have a tenure of three years or 62 years of whichever is earlier and it remains unchanged. However, tenure of CDS has t been fixed. Currently, Rawat is set to superannuate on December 31.

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Cabinets approval

Earlier on Tuesday, Union cabinet h anunced that CDS would be a four-star general - from eir- Army, Air Force or Navy. He will also he Department of Military Affairs and would be paid a salary equal to a service chief. Prime Minister Narendra Modi h me anuncement about creation of new office of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on August 15 in his Independence Day speech.

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General Rawat's career

Rawat was first commissioned into 5th battalion of 11 Gorkha Rifles on 16 December 1978. He has commanded an infantry battalion along Line of Actual Control, a Rashtriya Rifles Sector and an infantry division in Kashmir Valley.  During his career span of 37 years, he has been awarded for gallantry and distinguished service with UYSM in 2013, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, COAS Commendation on two occasions and Army Commander’s Commendation.

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He took over as GOC-in-C Sourn Command on 1 January 2016 and assumed post of Vice Chief of Army Staff on 1 September 2016. Soon he was appointed as 27th Chief of Army Staff, superseding two more senior Lieutenant Generals, Praveen Bakshi and Pattiarimal Mohamali Hariz on 17 December 2017. He has a vast experience in high altitude warfare and counter-insurgency operations.