Daily Times

In a sign of increasing military hegemony, Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat has been named the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff.

General Rawat was named to the newly-created post just a day before he was to retire from service after completing his term as the Chief of Army Staff. He become the first officer to hold the post of the Chief of Defence Staff set up just days ago.

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 upto a maximum age of 65 years. The notification came in the backdrop of Gen Rawat retiring on December 31. According to the existing rules, an Army Chief has a tenure of three years or upto the retirement age of 62 years, whichever is earlier. Although Rawat is yet to reach the age of 62 years, he is retiring because he is completing his tenure of three years as Army Chief.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech announced to create the top military post which was formally confirmed on December 24. The Indian government has long desired a single-point military officer to advise the government on all matters related to the military.