Gen Rawat was a genuine military reformer who wanted to decolonize the Indian military which is given to attendants, gala wine dinners, ceremonies, and a round of golf. Militarily he was victorious, but he could not turn the imperial legacy military into modern theatre commands due to resistance from his own.
Last year, General Bipin Rawat, the country's first CDS, had asked the three services to submit comprehensive reports on theaterisation and joint structures by April, but the timeline was not met. The post has been vacant since Rawat's untimely demise in December 2021.
Scores of top serving and retired officers from the army, air force and navy will now be eligible for the top post that fell vacant after General Bipin Rawat was killed in a helicopter crash on December 8, 2021.
Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, who is officiating as chairman, chiefs of staff committee (COSC), made the announcement at a ceremony organised at South Block. It was attended by the vice chiefs of the three services and other senior officers.