Bipin Rawat

Bipin Rawat was an Indian Army general and India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, serving from January 2020 until his death in December 2021.

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Indian Army: The land-warfare branch of India’s armed forces. Rawat served in the Indian Army for more than four decades and became its chief.
Chiefs of Staff Committee (India): A committee of India’s service chiefs that coordinates military matters and advises the government. The committee preceded the CDS, but its rotating chair lacked the new office’s permanent authority.
2015 Myanmar operation: An Indian Army cross-border operation in Myanmar following an attack on Indian soldiers in Manipur. Rawat commanded the Dimapur-based corps associated with the operation.
Kargil Review Committee: The Indian committee established after the 1999 Kargil War to assess national security and defence management. Its recommendations helped set the longer reform agenda that eventually produced the CDS office.
Chief of the Army Staff (India): The professional head of the Indian Army. Rawat held this office from 2016 to 2019 before becoming Chief of Defence Staff.
Department of Military Affairs: A department of India’s Ministry of Defence headed by the Chief of Defence Staff. Rawat also headed this department, which was created alongside his office.
2016 Indian Line of Control strikes: Indian military strikes across the Line of Control announced after the September 2016 Uri attack. Rawat was Army chief when India announced the strikes and defended the Army’s account of them.
Naresh Chandra Committee: A 2012 Indian committee that reviewed national security and proposed defence-management reforms. It advanced proposals for a permanent military leadership structure before Rawat’s appointment.
Chief of Defence Staff (India): India’s senior military adviser and coordinator of its armed services. Rawat was the first person appointed to this newly created post.
Integrated Theatre Command: A military command that combines forces from multiple services within a defined operational area. Developing theatre commands was a major jointness reform pursued during Rawat’s tenure.