Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC):
- Its mandate is to advise the Defence Minister and normally through him the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on all military matters which require ministerial consideration.
- 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.
- Presently, the senior most member of the COSC is appointed its chairperson.
Permanent Chairman of The Chiefs of Staff Committee (PCCoSC):
- The PCCoSC is envisaged as a single-point military adviser to the government.
- The three services have finally agreed to a PCCoSC, including what his roles and responsibilities will be. This is a key step towards improving ‘Jointmanship’.
- Creation of the post of Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC) is being done as per the recommendations of the Naresh Chandra Task Force.
- Way ahead: This proposal has been forwarded to the Defence Ministry and it is being examined there.
