The Union Cabinet has approved the appointment of General Bipin Rawat as country’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS),  General Rawat is currently the Army Chief and is set to retire on December 31.

The Cabinet Committee on Security had last week approved the creation of the post of a chief of defence staff of the Indian Armed Forces.

The order said, “the government has decided to appoint General Bipin Rawat, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, ADC as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) with effect from 31.12.2019 and until further orders.”

Gen Rawat will be a four-star General, he will not exercise any military command but has been tasked to strive to bring about jointness in operation, logistics, transport, training, support services, communications, repairs and procurement of the three services.

On December 29, the defence ministry had recently amended the army, air force and navy rules by bringing in a new clause that allows the Chief of Defence Staff to serve up to a maximum age of 65 years for the CDS to serve in the position.