Why in News?
The Government of India has appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS), as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). He succeeds General Upendra Dwivedi, who is retiring from service.
Key Facts for UPSC Prelims
- Dhiraj Seth was serving as Vice Chief of Army Staff before elevation.
- Retirement age for Army Chief: 62 years or completion of 3 years in office — whichever comes first.
- The COAS is appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by the Prime Minister.
- The Army Chief holds the rank of General (4-star rank).
Current Military Leadership of India
| Post | Officer |
|---|---|
| Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) | General N.S. Raja Subramani |
| Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) | General Dhiraj Seth |
| Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) | Admiral Krishna Swaminathan |
| Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) | Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh |
Static/Exam Connect: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
- The post of CDS was created in 2020 on the recommendation of the Kargil Review Committee (2000) and Naresh Chandra Task Force (2012).
- General Bipin Rawat was India’s first CDS (appointed January 1, 2020).
- CDS acts as the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC).
- CDS is a 4-star officer (General/Admiral/Air Chief Marshal rank).
- The CDS heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) under the Ministry of Defence.
- Theaterisation: The CDS is mandated to achieve tri-service integration through military theatres.
Quick Revision Table
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| New Army Chief | Lt. Gen. Dhiraj Seth |
| Previous Post | Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) |
| Predecessor | General Upendra Dwivedi |
| Army Chief Retirement Age | 62 years OR 3 years tenure (whichever earlier) |
| Army Chief Rank | General (4-star) |
| Current CDS | General N.S. Raja Subramani |
| CDS Created | 2020 |
| First CDS | General Bipin Rawat |
Trap / Confusing Points
| Common Confusion | Correct Fact |
|---|---|
| CDS and COAS are the same post | No — CDS is head of all three services; COAS heads only the Army |
| Army Chief retires at 60 | Retirement age is 62 years (unlike IAS/IPS who retire at 60) |
| CDS was India’s first tri-service chief | Partially true — CDS is not an operational commander; Integrated Theatre Commands will have separate commanders |
| VCOAS directly becomes COAS | Not automatic — appointment is by ACC; VCOAS is a common but not guaranteed route |
Practice MCQs
1. Who among the following holds the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as of 2025?
a. Admiral Krishna Swaminathan
b. General Dhiraj Seth
c. General N.S. Raja Subramani
d. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh
Ans: C
General N.S. Raja Subramani is the current CDS. The CDS is different from the Army Chief (COAS).
2. The post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in India was established in:
a. 2019
b. 2020
c. 2018
d. 2022
Ans: B
The CDS was created on 1 January 2020. General Bipin Rawat was the first CDS.
3. What is the retirement age of the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS)?
a. 60 years
b. 62 years or 2 years in office
c. 62 years or 3 years in office
d. 65 years
Ans: C
The COAS retires at 62 years of age or on completion of 3 years in office, whichever comes earlier.
4. Which committee recommended the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)?
a. Naresh Chandra Committee (2012)
b. Kargil Review Committee (2000)
c. Both A and B
d. K. Subrahmanyam Committee
Ans: C
Both the Kargil Review Committee (2000) and the Naresh Chandra Task Force (2012) recommended creating the CDS post.
5. The CDS heads which department under the Ministry of Defence?
a. Department of Defence Production
b. Department of Military Affairs (DMA)
c. Department of Defence Research
d. Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare
Ans: B
The CDS is the Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), which was newly created in 2020 under MoD.
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