Governmemt Makes Certain Changes In The Rules Of Appointment Of The New CDS

New Delhi, 7th June 2022: According to the notification issued by the Air Force, the government can consider an officer posted as Air Marshal or Air Chief Marshal. Apart from this, a retired officer from the same rank can also be assigned this post.

After the death of the first Cheif of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat, the preparations for the appointment to this post, which had been lying vacant for about six months, have now intensified.

The rules of the three armed forces related to the appointment of CDS have been changed, under which a serving or retired officer of lieutenant general or general level below the age of 62 years in the three services can be appointed as CDS.

The government has also included Vice Admirals and Air Marshals, now serving or retired, in the selection pool, widening the scope of selection of CDS. With the new rule, the retired Army Chief, Navy Chief and Air Chief will almost be out of the race to become CDS as the condition has now been added that the age should be below 62 years at the time of appointment.

The tenure of the three service chiefs is three years, but if they turn 62 before that, they have to retire.

In the notification of amendment to the Air Force Act 1950, it has been said that if necessary for the public interest, the Central Government can appoint an officer who is not 62 years old at the time of appointment to the serving Air Marshal or Air Chief Marshal or retired from these posts.

It further states that the officers to be appointed can continue in their posts till a maximum age of 65 years. Similar notifications have also been issued for changes in the Army Act 1950 and Navy Act 1957.