Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC)

Subject – Defence and Security

Context – Government starts process to identify next CDS, Gen Naravane heads COSC

Concept –

The Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee is, in principle, the most senior and highest ranking officer of the Indian Armed Forces.
The chairman heads the Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Ministry of Defence and is the principal military advisor to the president of the republic, the Minister of Defence and the prime minister.
When the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was established, its holder was also made the permanent chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC).
In the absence of the CDS, a temporary Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee may be appointed.
Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee will be a four-star officer, who will be equivalent to chiefs of army, airforce and navy.
The Naresh Chandra Task Force, formed in May 2011 to review the national security management system, recommended the creation of permanent post of chairman, chiefs of staff committee (CoSC).
Composition: CoSC is composed of:
- (a) Chief of the Army Staff (COAS);
- (b) Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS);
- (c) Chief of the Air Staff (CAS); and
- (d) Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CIDS) (non-voting member).
- Scientific Adviser to the Minister of Defence is invited to attend whenever needed.