UPSC Prelims 2024 · GS Paper I
Question 77: Science and Technology
What are the duties of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as Head of the Department of Military Affairs ?
- 1.Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee
- 2.Exercise military command over the three Service Chiefs
- 3.Principal Military Advisor to Defence Minister on all tri-service matters
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
The Chief of Defence Staff, as head of the Department of Military Affairs, is the permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Principal Military Adviser to the Defence Minister on tri-service matters. The CDS does not exercise military command over the three Service Chiefs, who continue to advise the Defence Minister on their own services. So items 1 and 3 are right and 2 is wrong.
- 1. The CDS is the permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.
- 2. The CDS does not exercise military command over the three Service Chiefs.
- 3. The CDS is Principal Military Adviser to the Defence Minister on tri-service matters.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a), (b) and (c) go: each of them includes 2.
What you needed to know: The CDS does not exercise military command over the three Service Chiefs.
Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 3.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: statement 2 is false, since the CDS has no command over the Service Chiefs.
- (b) Wrong: it accepts statement 2 and rejects statement 3.
- (c) Wrong: it rejects statement 1 and accepts statement 2.
- (d) Right: the CDS is permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and Principal Military Adviser, without command over the Service Chiefs.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2024, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.