Question 79 from UPSC CSE 2024 - Current Affairs (Polity & Governan ce)

Question

What are the duties of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as Head of the Department of Military Affairs?
1. Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee.
2. Exercise military command over the three Service Chiefs.
3. Principal Military Advisor to Defence Minister on all tri-service matters.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1 and 3 only

Strategy: Key aspects of the CDS role:
*   Serves as Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee.
*   Principal Military Advisor to the Defence Minister on tri-service matters.
*   **Does not exercise direct military command** over service chiefs, correcting a common misconception.

This understanding is crucial for correctly identifying statements regarding the CDS's authority.

Key Info: ## Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Overview

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is a four-star position in the Indian military, established to promote jointness and integration across the armed forces.

The CDS heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) under the Ministry of Defence, serving as its Secretary. In this capacity, the CDS acts as the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, coordinating between the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The CDS also functions as the Principal Military Advisor to the Defence Minister (Raksha Mantri) on tri-service issues.

Crucially, the CDS does not hold overriding operational command over the service chiefs; they retain command of their respective forces. The CDS primarily oversees joint matters such as procurement, logistics, training, and support services, and represents the military on bodies like the Defence Acquisition Council and the Nuclear Command Authority.

The institution of the CDS aims to streamline defence management, promote inter-service synergy, and ensure efficient resource utilization within the Armed Forces.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1, 2, and 3

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 1 and 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 2 and 3 only