Now officers below one rank from army chiefs can also become CDS

New Delhi, Dt

The Central Government has made major changes in the rules for appointment to the post of Chief of Defense Staff (CDS). The change now paves the way for CDS for serving or retired officers at the Lieutenant General level in all three armies. On the other hand, new rules on army recruitment, which have been stalled for two years, are likely to be announced on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Defense has issued a notification regarding the amendment in the rules regarding the appointment of CDS. Following the government's move, it is believed that the CDS appointment process will begin soon. The country's first CDS general Bipin Rawat was killed in a plane crash on December 9 last year. This position is then vacant.

As per the changes made by the Ministry of Defense in the rules regarding appointment of CDS, the scope of selection of top military officers for CDS will now be extended. Until now, only officers of general rank at the level of the three army chiefs were eligible for appointment to the post of CDS, but the range of suitable officers for the post of CDS has now widened as per the rules announced by the Ministry of Defense on Tuesday.

The current serving and retired Lieutenant General of the Army, Air Marshal of the Air Force and Vice Admiral level officer of the Navy will be able to become CDS under the new rule. The lieutenant general is one rank lower than the three army chiefs, one rank lower than the Air Marshal Air Force chief and one rank lower than the Vice Admiral naval chief. It is clear from this that in view of the new rules, a CDS can be made to a suitable candidate to supersede the serving military presidents. However, there is no possibility of concessions by fixing an age limit of 5 years for the appointment of CDS. The maximum age limit for holding a CDS post has been fixed at 3 years.

Following the change in the rules, the Ministry of Defense is signaling that the process of appointing new CDS will begin soon. The long-awaited appointment of his successor after CDS General Bipin Rawat was killed in a helicopter crash in December last year. General Bipin Rawat was appointed as the country's first CDS after retiring from the post of Army President. After Rawat, recently retired Army Chief Manoj Mukund Narwane was supposed to be made CDS, but the post is still vacant.

On the other hand, army recruitment in the country, which had been suspended for two years due to Corona, is also likely to resume. The presidents of the three wings of the army are expected to make important announcements on Wednesday regarding the tour of duty on the issue of recruitment in the army. Under the Tour of Duty, 30,000 to 40,000 personnel will be recruited on contract basis. He will have an estimated three and a half to four years of employment. After four years of service, 4% will retire and only 5% will be able to continue their service in the army.

This is probably the first time such recruitment has been announced in the army. The three army chiefs are expected to present a blueprint for new military reforms on Wednesday. The age profile in the military is also projected to decline, and salaries may also fall. Soldiers appointed in this category will not get pension after four years of service.