Outgoing Army General Bipin Rawat is set to take over as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) today. As the CDS -- which will be India's first-ever -- General Rawat will be in direct contact with the Prime Minister on security issues and the chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force would report to him. He would head the Department of Military Affairs and paid a salary equivalent to a service chief.
General Bipin Rawat (born 16 March 1958), PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, ADC is the 27th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army. He assumed office on 31 December 2016, after retirement of General Dalbir Singh. He is also the Current Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.