While the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) represents a significant step towards achieving greater integration and synergy within the Indian military, realizing these objectives will require overcoming numerous challenges. Evaluate.

Topic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Topic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

5. While the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) represents a significant step towards achieving greater integration and synergy within the Indian military, realizing these objectives will require overcoming numerous challenges. Evaluate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India

Why the question: Media reports suggest that the complex and contentious policy issue of rewiring the Indian military into integrated theatre commands (ITC) is gaining traction and that the armed forces are looking at the appointment of a Vice Chief of Defence Staff and a Deputy Chief of Defence Staff. Key Demand of the question: To write about the importance of CDS to the nation’s security and reforms needed in the post of CDS. Directive word: Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence. You must appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming an opinion here. Structure of the answer: Introduction: Begin by mentioning the rationale behind creation of the post of CDS. Body: In the first part, mention his role – he will be the single-point military adviser to the government as suggested by the Kargil Review Committee in 1999. Next, Mention the roles and responsibilities of CDS – oversees and coordinates the working of the three Services, ensure the Army, Navy and IAF, which often pull in different directions, truly integrate to slash wasteful expenditure amidst the ongoing severe fund crunch for military modernization. Next, write about the various limitations associated with CDS in its shorts existence and steps needed to overcome them. Conclusion: Conclude by writing a way forward.

Why the question:

Media reports suggest that the complex and contentious policy issue of rewiring the Indian military into integrated theatre commands (ITC) is gaining traction and that the armed forces are looking at the appointment of a Vice Chief of Defence Staff and a Deputy Chief of Defence Staff.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the importance of CDS to the nation’s security and reforms needed in the post of CDS.

Directive word:

Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence. You must appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming an opinion here.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by mentioning the rationale behind creation of the post of CDS.

In the first part, mention his role – he will be the single-point military adviser to the government as suggested by the Kargil Review Committee in 1999.

Next, Mention the roles and responsibilities of CDS – oversees and coordinates the working of the three Services, ensure the Army, Navy and IAF, which often pull in different directions, truly integrate to slash wasteful expenditure amidst the ongoing severe fund crunch for military modernization.

Next, write about the various limitations associated with CDS in its shorts existence and steps needed to overcome them.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.