Defence awareness
Joint commands and the CDS
Chief of Defence Staff, Andaman and Nicobar Command, Strategic Forces Command.
Some parts of defence work for all three services together. These "joint" bodies make the Army, Navy and Air Force work as one team.
The name of the present CDS and service chiefs changes with time, so it is not written here. Check the official website.
- Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)The post was created in December 2019. General Bipin Rawat was the first CDS (took charge on 1 January 2020). The CDS is the military adviser to the Government and heads the Department of Military Affairs.
- Chiefs of Staff CommitteeThe committee of the three service chiefs, chaired by the CDS.
- Andaman and Nicobar CommandSet up in 2001 at Port Blair. It was India's first joint (tri-service) command.
- Strategic Forces CommandCreated in 2003. It looks after the delivery of nuclear weapons and works under the Nuclear Command Authority.
- Other joint bodiesThe Integrated Defence Staff, the Defence Space Agency, the Defence Cyber Agency and the Armed Forces Special Operations Division.
- Theatre commandsA plan to organise forces of all services in regional "theatre commands" has been discussed. Check official sources for the present position.