Two names for the new CDS emerged after India's first Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat was killed in a helicopter crash on Wednesday.
According to Indian TV channel News 18, the post of CDS will be filled in the next seven to nine days after the death of General Bipin Rawat. The favorites for the post are currently Army Chief Faiz General Manoj Makand Nirvana and former Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadoria.
The post of CDS in India was created in 2019 and General Bipin Rawat was appointed to the post in January 2020 after the retirement of the Army Chief. As CDS, General Bipin Rawat became the Chief of the three Armed Forces of India. Any commanding or flag officer of the three armed forces can become a CDS. The age limit for this post is 65 years.
According to the rules, a person appointed to the post of CDS is senior to the Chiefs of the three Armed Forces.
Former Chief of Air Staff Marshal RKS Bhadoria retired from his post on September 30. He served in the Indian Air Force for 42 years and retired after leading the Air Force for two years. He is also a favorite candidate for the post of CDS.
