What are the duties of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as Head of the Department of Military Affairs?

1. Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee

2. Exercise military command over the three Service Chiefs

3. Principal Military Advisor to Defence Minister on all tri-service matters

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

The correct answer is Option 4.

Key PointsChief of Defence Staff (CDS):

• The duties and functions of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) include the following:
• To head the Department of Military Affairs in Ministry of Defence and function as its Secretary. 
• To act as the Principal Military Advisor to Hon’ble Raksha Mantri on all Tri-Service matters. Hence 3 is correct.
• To function as the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. Hence 1 is correct.
• To administer the Tri-Service organizations/agencies/commands.
• To be a member of Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri.
• To function as the Military Advisor to the Nuclear Command Authority.
• To bring about jointness in operation, logistics, transport, training, support services, communications, repairs and maintenance, etc of the three Services.
• To bring about reforms in the functioning of three Services with the aim to augment combat capabilities of the Armed Forces by reducing wasteful expenditure.
• The individual who exercises military command over the three Service Chiefs in India is the President of India. Hence, 2 is incorrect.
• According to Article 53 of the Indian Constitution, the President is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces.
• Therefore, the President holds the highest military authority and exercises command over the three Service Chiefs

Hence Option 4 is correct