1. The creation of the appointment of Chief of Defence Staff as announced by the Prime  Minister of India from the ramparts of the Red Fort on 15 August 2019. This is the biggest military reform brought by the Government since Independence to streamline the functioning and coordination between the Army, Navy and the Air Force so as to achieve synergy and better functioning.
2. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. The responsibility of National Defence rests with the Cabinet and is discharged through the Ministry of Defence which is headed by the Raksha Mantri. To discharge this function the Defence Ministry comprised of 4 departments under four different Secretaries. With the creation of CDS, the Government created a 5^th Department under Ministry of Defence called “Department of Military Affairs” (DMA). The CDS has been nominated as the Secretary DMA. By virtue of this appointment and creation of a new Department the Armed Forces have been brought into the Apex Government Structure for the first time, a position not enjoyed since Independence. The five Departments now under the Ministry of Defence are as hereunder:-

   (a) Department of Defence under the Defence Secretary. The Department of Defence deals with the Integrated                 Defence  Staff (IDS) and three Services and various Inter-Service organisations. It is also responsible for the Defence             Budget, establishment matters, defence policy, matters relating to Parliament, defence co-operation with foreign countries       and co-ordination of all defence related activities.

  (b) Department of Military Affairs. DMA is headed by the CDS as its Secretaryand is responsible for“works” related to all    three services, TA, Revenue Procurements, and facilitate restructuring of Military Commands through the establishment of      joint/theatre commands. The CDS will also be the permt Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee and act as the Principal      Military Advisor to the Raksha Mantri. However, the CDS will not exercise any military command over the three services.

 (c) Department of Defence Production (DDP). The Department of Defence Production is headed by a Secretary and   deals  with matters pertaining to defence production, indigenisation of imported stores, equipment and spares, planning and   control of departmental production units of the Ordnance Factory Board and Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).

(d) Department of Defence Research and Development (DRDO). The Department of Defence Research and Development is headed by a Secretary. Its function is to advise the Government on scientific aspects of military equipment and logistics and the formulation of research, design and development plans for equipment required by the Services.

(e) Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare (DESW) Secretary DESW. The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare is headed by a Secretary and deals with matters concerning resettlement, welfare and pensionary problems/ matters of Ex-Servicemen.

3.      Functions of the CDS: The following areas will be dealt by the Department of Military Affairs under the Chief of Defence Staff:-

        (a)The Armed Forces Union i.e. the three services

       (b)The Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence comprising the Army HQ, Naval HQ, Air HQ and Defence Staff                HQ.

       (c)The Territorial Army

       (d) Works relating to Army, Navy and Air Force.

       (e)  Procurement exclusive to the Services except capital acquisitions, as per prevalent rules and procedures.

       (f)  Promoting jointness in procurement, training and staffing of the Services through joint planning and integration of their                requirements.

      (g) Facilitate restructuring of Military Commands for optimal utilisation of resources by bringing about jointness in operations,          including through establishment of Joint / Theatre Commands.

       (h) Promoting use of indigenous equipment by the Services.

4.    The Areas of work involved in these subjects are as hereunder:

        (a) Military Operations including CI Ops. Deployment of Forces, Border intelligence, Air Defence, Organisation and                               Manpower  Planning, Pay and Allowances, Defence Services Regulations,

        (b) Personnel Management - Postings, Promotions, Cadre Management and Reviews, Complaints, Discipline etc.  

         (c) Terms and Conditions of Service, Grant of PC, SSC etc., Recruitment, Policy, exams through UPSC for CDS/NDA & NA                 Examination/ lMA.  

          (d) Training Matters. CAT ‘A’ Estts, Field Firing Ranges,

          (e )Budget Aspects, Appropriation/Accounts and Annual Training Grant, War and Peace system of accounting,

          (f) Planning and procurement of ware withal through Revenue route.

         (g) Development of communication / roads.

         (h) Policy, provisioning and procurement of clothing (including special clothing) and special equipment.

         (j) Maintenance of Platforms – Aircraft, Ships

         (k) War Wastage Reserves.

5.         Staffing:- Besides the Military Officer strength the following Civilian Staff has been authorised to the DMA:

           (a) 3 x Addl Secy

           (b) 14 x Joint Secy

           (c) 45 x Dir/Dy Secy

           (d) 84 x Under Secy

           (e)  145 x Section Officers.

6.         The Chief of Defence Staff can be from either of the three services and will hold office till the age of 65 years.