Chief of Defence Staff Practice Questions
20 free Chief of Defence Staff practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
The post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in India was created in which year?
- A 2014
- B 2016
- C 2019
- D 2022
Correct answer: 2019
The Government of India created the post of Chief of Defence Staff in December 2019. The first CDS assumed office on 1 January 2020.
The Chief of Defence Staff primarily functions as:
- A Head of the Indian Army
- B Single-point military adviser to the Government
- C Chief of the Indian Naval Staff
- D Permanent Head of India's National Security Council
Correct answer: Single-point military adviser to the Government
The CDS serves as the single-point military adviser to the Government of India. This role enhances jointness among the three services.
The recommendation for creating the post of CDS was first made by which committee?
- A Sarkaria Commission
- B Kargil Review Committee
- C Punchhi Commission
- D Justice Verma Committee
Correct answer: Kargil Review Committee
The Kargil Review Committee (1999) recommended creating the post of CDS to improve coordination among the armed forces after the Kargil conflict.
The CDS heads which department in the Ministry of Defence?
- A Department of Defence Production
- B Department of Military Affairs
- C Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare
- D Department of Defence Research
Correct answer: Department of Military Affairs
The CDS heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), created in 2019. This department deals with military matters of the armed forces.
The Chief of Defence Staff holds the rank of:
- A General of the Army
- B Four-star General
- C Field Marshal
- D Five-star General
Correct answer: Four-star General
The CDS is a four-star officer equivalent in rank to the Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. However, the CDS is senior in the order of precedence.
The CDS is not:
- A Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee
- B Single-point military adviser
- C Operational commander of the armed forces
- D Head of Department of Military Affairs
Correct answer: Operational commander of the armed forces
The CDS does not exercise operational command over the armed forces. Operational command remains with the respective service chiefs.
The creation of the CDS primarily aims to promote:
- A Judicial review
- B Civil services reform
- C Jointness and integration among armed forces
- D Federal decentralization
Correct answer: Jointness and integration among armed forces
The CDS promotes jointness and integration among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This enhances operational efficiency and coordination.
The CDS acts as the Permanent Chairman of:
- A National Security Council
- B Chiefs of Staff Committee
- C Defence Planning Committee
- D Cabinet Committee on Security
Correct answer: Chiefs of Staff Committee
The CDS is the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. This role strengthens coordination among service chiefs.
Which constitutional provision directly mentions the post of CDS?
- A Article 53
- B Article 74
- C Article 309
- D None of the above
Correct answer: None of the above
The CDS is not mentioned in the Constitution. It is a non-constitutional post created by executive decision.
The CDS advises the government on matters related to:
- A Economic policy
- B Defence and security
- C Foreign trade
- D Election reforms
Correct answer: Defence and security
The CDS provides advice to the government on defence and security matters. This includes joint planning and military strategy.
The CDS is appointed by the:
- A Prime Minister
- B President of India
- C Defence Minister
- D Parliament
Correct answer: President of India
The CDS is appointed by the President of India, as with other senior military officers. The appointment is made on the recommendation of the government.
The CDS plays a significant role in the creation of:
- A Inter-State Councils
- B Integrated Theatre Commands
- C Finance Commission
- D Planning Commission
Correct answer: Integrated Theatre Commands
One of the major responsibilities of the CDS is to facilitate the creation of Integrated Theatre Commands for unified military operations.
The maximum age limit for the CDS is:
- A 60 years
- B 62 years
- C 65 years
- D No age limit
Correct answer: 62 years
The CDS serves until the age of 62 years or as prescribed by government rules. This ensures continuity in leadership.
The establishment of the CDS reflects which governance objective?
- A Civilian supremacy over military
- B Separation of powers
- C Decentralization of defence
- D Judicial activism
Correct answer: Civilian supremacy over military
The CDS works under civilian control, reinforcing the principle of civilian supremacy over the military in a democratic system.
The CDS is a member of which key committee?
- A Finance Commission
- B Cabinet Committee on Security
- C Election Commission
- D Union Public Service Commission
Correct answer: Cabinet Committee on Security
The CDS participates in the Cabinet Committee on Security when required, providing military advice on critical defence issues.
Which service chief reports operational matters directly to the CDS?
- A Army Chief
- B Navy Chief
- C Air Force Chief
- D None of the above
Correct answer: None of the above
Service Chiefs retain operational command over their forces and do not report operational matters directly to the CDS.
The CDS is primarily responsible for:
- A Conducting military operations
- B Formulating joint doctrines
- C Passing defence budgets
- D Declaring war
Correct answer: Formulating joint doctrines
The CDS is responsible for promoting joint doctrines and planning among the armed forces. Operational command remains with service chiefs.
Which war highlighted the need for a CDS?
- A 1962 Sino-Indian War
- B 1971 Indo-Pak War
- C 1999 Kargil War
- D 1965 Indo-Pak War
Correct answer: 1999 Kargil War
The Kargil War of 1999 exposed coordination gaps among services. This led to recommendations for creating the CDS.
The CDS enhances defence planning by ensuring:
- A Independent functioning of services
- B Integrated capability development
- C Judicial oversight
- D State control of defence
Correct answer: Integrated capability development
The CDS ensures integrated capability development across services. This reduces duplication and improves strategic preparedness.
The Chief of Defence Staff is best described as:
- A A constitutional authority
- B A statutory authority
- C A non-constitutional executive post
- D A judicial office
Correct answer: A non-constitutional executive post
The CDS is a non-constitutional post created by executive order. It does not have a direct constitutional or statutory basis.