Setting the stage for appointment of the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the Government has amended Service Rules of the Army, Navy and Air Force, allowing retired Service Chiefs and three-star officers eligible for consideration for the country’s top military post.
However, with an age limit that the retired officer should not have attained 62 years on the date of appointment, retired Service Chiefs are largely ruled out, especially so for the present consideration.
“... The Central Government may, if considered necessary, in public interest, so to do, appoint as CDS, an officer who is serving as Lieutenant General or General or an officer who has retired in the rank of Lieutenant General or General but has not attained the age of 62 years on the date of his appointment,” the amendment in the Service Rules of the Army states in the gazette dated June 6, 2022. Similar amendment was made in the service rules of Navy and Air Force as well.
