Chief of Defence Staff: the four-star post and the Department of Military Affairs

Background

The Union Cabinet approved the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in the rank of a four-star General, with salary and perquisites equivalent to a Service Chief. Under the same decision the CDS heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), to be created within the Ministry of Defence, and functions as its Secretary. The DMA deals with the Armed Forces of the Union (Army, Navy and Air Force), the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence, the Territorial Army and works relating to the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. The CDS is the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and Principal Military Adviser to Raksha Mantri on all tri-Services matters, and will not exercise any military command, including over the three Service Chiefs.