Govt notifies eligibility for appointment of Chief of Defence Staff

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued three notifications on Tuesday, specifying the professional qualifications and age limitations for military generals to be eligible for appointment as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Indian armed forces.

India’s military has had just one CDS, or tri-service chief: General Bipin Rawat, who was CDS from January 2020 until his death in a helicopter crash in December 2021. The post has since lain vacant.

Now, the MoD has issued three separate notifications: One each for the army, navy and the Indian Air Force (IAF). Officers from all three services are required to meet