UPSC Prelims 2024 Q77: Indian Polity – Defence
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1 and 3 only
Answer: (d) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) - Duties as Head of Department of Military Affairs
| Duty | Correct? | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee | TRUE | CDS serves as the permanent (non-rotating) Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), coordinating the three service chiefs. |
| 2. Exercise military command over the three Service Chiefs | FALSE | CDS does NOT exercise command over the three Service Chiefs. Each Service Chief retains full operational command over their respective service. CDS is a coordinator and advisor, not a commander-in-chief of the armed forces. |
| 3. Principal Military Advisor to Defence Minister on all tri-service matters | TRUE | CDS serves as the single-point military advisor to the Defence Minister for matters involving all three services (tri-service matters). |
CDS was established in January 2020 following the Kargil Review Committee recommendations.
General Bipin Rawat was the first CDS of India (January 2020 - December 2021).
Answer: (d) 1 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false - CDS does not exercise military command over Service Chiefs. Including Statement 2 makes this option wrong.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false - CDS is a coordinator and advisor, not a commander who can give orders to the Army, Navy, or Air Force chiefs.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false. CDS does not command Service Chiefs. Additionally, Statement 1 is correct (Permanent Chairman of COSC).
- (d) CORRECT. Statements 1 (Permanent Chairman of COSC) and 3 (Principal Military Advisor to Defence Minister on tri-service matters) are correct. Statement 2 is wrong - CDS does not command the Service Chiefs.
Key point
CDS duties: (1) Permanent Chairman of COSC + (3) Principal Military Advisor to Defence Minister on tri-service matters. CDS does NOT command the three Service Chiefs - each retains independent operational command.
Remember
CDS is the Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Principal Military Advisor to the Defence Minister on tri-service matters. CDS does not exercise command over the three Service Chiefs.
Common mistakes
- Thinking CDS commands the three Service Chiefs - this was deliberately NOT given to CDS to avoid concentration of military power. CDS coordinates and advises but does not command.
- Confusing CDS with Supreme Commander - the President is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces under the Constitution, not the CDS.
- Not knowing CDS was created in 2020 following Kargil Review Committee recommendations for jointness among the three services.
Exam tip
CDS = Coordinator and Advisor, NOT Commander. Duties: 1) Permanent COSC Chairman 2) Principal Military Advisor on tri-service matters 3) Head of Department of Military Affairs. CDS does NOT have operational command over individual service chiefs.
Sources
- Ministry of Defence - Chief of Defence Staff: Charter and Duties (January 2020)
- Kargil Review Committee Report - Recommendations on Defence Reforms