CDS: Amended Service Rules of the Army, Navy and Air Force
Recent Context
On 6th June, 2022, the Government has amended Service Rules of the Army, Navy and Air Force, to make retired officers eligible for Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Post.
Key Points
Changes in eligibility criteria: An officer who is serving as Lieutenant General or General or an officer who has retired in the rank of Lieutenant General or General but has not attained the age of sixty-two years on the date of his appointment can appoint as the Chief of defence Staff (CDS).
Provided that the Central Government may, if considered necessary, in public interest, so to do, extend the service of the Chief of Defence Staff for such period as it may deem necessary subject to a maximum age of sixty-five years.
This amendment makes all three-star rank officers who have retired in the last two years eligible, as Lieutenant Generals in the Army, Vice-Admirals in the Navy and Air Marshals in the Air Force retire at the age of 60.
Age Limit
The age limit for the CDS’s post is 65 years with no fixed tenure defined, unlike for the Service Chief which is three years of tenure or 62 years of age.
Similar amendment was made in the service rules of Navy and Air Force as well.
