cds: Any retired or serving Lt Gen/General level officer can be appointed as the Chief of Defence Staff: Government

In a major development, the government has amended the rules for appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

According to the new rules, a retired officer in the rank of Lt Gen equivalent or General equivalent positions could be considered for the appointment of Chief of Defence Staff provided he hasn’t attained age of 62 years at the time of appointment.

Those who are serving in the ranks of Lt Gen equivalent or General equivalent will also be considered for the CDS position.

The position of CDS has been vacant since December last year when General Bipin Rawat died in a helicopter crash. General Rawat was India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).