Retiring army chief Bipin Rawat to be India's first tri-service chief

To serve six years as four-star general; opportunity for defence reform

Army chief, General Bipin Rawat, who was due to retire on Tuesday after serving three years as Chief of Army Staff (COAS), will now assume charge on Wednesday as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

On Monday evening, the day before Rawat’s retirement, the defence ministry announced: “Government has decided to appoint General Bipin Rawat as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) with effect from 31.12.2019 and until further orders and extension in service of Rawat.”

With Rawat elevated to the post of CDS, Lieutenant Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane will take over as COAS on Tuesday.

Last Tuesday, the