While the nation is still mourning the death of CDS Bipin Rawat, the government will start the recruitment process to fill the post of Chief of Defense Staff (CDS). For this prestigious post, the name of Army Chief General MM Naravane is given prominence.
Several retired military commanders have also said that the appointment of General Naravane, who is retiring in April, would be a perfect choice.
According to experts, in the appointment of CDS, the government will follow the same protocol which is prescribed for the appointment of the chiefs of the three services. The CDS is the chairman of the powerful Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) consisting of the three service chiefs. The appointment of General Naravane as CDS is more likely based on overall performance, including handling of the standoff in Ladakh. Apart from this, he is the senior-most among the three service chiefs.
General Naravane took over from General Rawat on December 31, 2019. While Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Choudhary and Chief of the Navy Admiral R. Hari Kumar took charge on September 30 and November 30, respectively, this year. At the same time, an influential section of military planners has been of the view that the CDS should be from the Army, at least until the construction of theatre commands as part of ambitious defence reforms is completed.
C.P Mohanty can become army chief
If General Naravane is appointed as CDS, then the government will have to fill his place as well. In such a situation, Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen CP Mohanty and Northern Command Commander Lt Gen YK Joshi will be the frontrunners for the post of Army Chief.