Ministry of Defence (India)

A Military Department was created in the Supreme Government of the English East India Company at Calcutta in the year 1776, having the main function to sift and record orders relating to the Army issued by various Departments of the Government of East India Company. The Military Department initially functioned as a branch of the Public Department and maintained a list of Army personnel.

With the Charter Act 1833, the Secretariat of the Government of the East India Company was reorganised into four departments, each headed by a secretary to the Government. The armies in the presidencies of Bengal, Bombay and Madras functioned as the respective presidency armies until April 1895, when the presidency armies were unified into a single Indian Army. For administrative convenience, it was divided into four commands: Punjab (including the North West Frontier), Bengal (including Burma), Madras and Bombay (including Sindh, Quetta and Aden).

The supreme authority over the Indian Army was vested in the Governor General-in-Council, subject to the control of the Crown, which was exercised by the Secretary of State for India. Two members of the council were responsible for military affairs. One was the Military Member, who supervised all administrative and financial matters. The other was the commander-in-chief who was responsible for all operational matters. The Military Department was abolished in March 1906 and replaced by two separate departments; the Army and the Military Supply departments. In April 1909 the Military Supply Department was abolished and the Army Department took over its functions. The Army Department was redesignated as the Defence Department in January 1938. The Department of Defence became the Ministry of Defence under a cabinet minister in August 1947.

The responsibility for national defence "rests with the Cabinet, which is discharged through the Ministry of Defence, which provides the policy framework and wherewithal to the Armed Forces to discharge their responsibilities in the context of the defence of the country. The Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) is the head of the Ministry of Defence."{{cite web|url=https://mod.gov.in/about--ministry|title=ABOUT THE MINISTRY|website=Ministry of Defence, Government of India|access-date=14 January 2018}}

The Defence Ministry is responsible for "obtaining policy directions of the Government on all defence and security related matters" and communicating these directions to "Services Headquarters, Inter-Services Organisations, Production Establishments and Research and Development Organisations". The MoD works closely with the National Security Council, Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The functions of MoD which in 1947 was mainly logistic support to the armed forces, have undergone far-reaching changes. In November 1962, following the 1962 war, a Department of Defence Production was set up to deal with research, development and production of defence equipment. In November 1965, the Department of Defence Supplies was created for planning and execution of schemes for import substitution of requirements for defence purposes. These two Departments were later merged to form the Department of Defence Production and Supplies.

File:Atmanirbhar Bharat Defence Industry Outreach 27 August 2020.jpg addressing an Atmanirbhar Bharat Defence Industry Outreach Webinar, jointly organised by the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence (MoD), in New Delhi on 27 August 2020. Also seen are General Bipin Rawat, General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Admiral Karambir Singh, Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria, the Defence Secretary, Ajay Kumar, the Secretary (Defence Production) and the Secretary, Raj Kumar, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO, G. Satheesh Reddy.]]

In 1980, the Department of Defence Research and Development was created. In January 2004, the Department of Defence Production and Supplies was renamed the Department of Defence Production. A Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister was appointed to advise on scientific aspects of military equipment and the research and design of defence forces equipment. The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare was created in 2004.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

The Ministry of Defence consists of five departments; the Department of Defence (DoD), the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), the Department of Defence Production (DDP), the Department of Defence Research and Development (DRDO), and the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW). The Defence Secretary of India functions as head of the Department of Defence,{{cite web|url=https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/AnnualReport1617.pdf|title=Annual Report (2016-17)|website=Ministry of Defence, Government of India|access-date=14 January 2018}} and is additionally responsible for coordinating the activities of the departments in the ministry.

The principal functions of all the departments are as follows:

• The Department of Defence, headed by the Defence Secretary, the department deals with the defence of India including defence policy, preparation for defence, acts conducive to prosecution of war, the Reserves of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Defence Accounts, Indian Coast Guard, Border Roads Organisation, capital acquisitions for defence and various establishment matters.{{Cite web|url=https://cabsec.gov.in/writereaddata/allocationbusinessrule/amendment/english/1_Upload_1973.pdf|title=Cabinet Secretariat Notification|date=2019-12-30|website=Gazette of India|language=en|access-date=2020-02-25}}{{Cite web|url=https://cabsec.gov.in/writereaddata/allocationbusinessrule/completeaobrules/english/1_Upload_1187.pdf|title=Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 (As Amended up to 31st January 2017)|date=2017-01-31|website=Gazette of India|language=en|access-date=2020-02-25}} It is also responsible for the Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis, National Defence College and any other organisation within the Ministry of Defence whose remit is broader than military matters. It is also responsible for the Defence Budget, matters relating to the Parliament, defence cooperation with foreign countries and coordination of all activities.
• The Department of Military Affairs, is responsible for managing the armed forces of India, namely, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. It is also responsible for the Territorial Army. It is headed by the Chief of Defence Staff as its secretary. It deals with procurement exclusive to the Indian Armed Forces except capital acquisitions. It is designed to promote jointness among the military services of India. This department was approved on 24 December 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=196101|title=Cabinet approves creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff in the rank of four-star General|date=24 December 2019|website=Press Information Bureau|access-date=24 December 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-sets-up-dept-of-military-affairs-to-be-headed-by-chief-of-defence-staff/story-eIC4HPIpbexJgGtpEfMaLI.html|title=Govt sets up Dept of Military Affairs to be headed by Chief of Defence Staff|date=2019-12-24|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-12-24}} and the responsibilities notified by Cabinet Secretariat order on 30 December 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://cabsec.gov.in/writereaddata/allocationbusinessrule/amendment/english/1_Upload_1973.pdf|title=Cabinet Secretariat Notification|date=2019-12-30|website=Gazette of India|language=en|access-date=2020-02-25}}
• The Department of Defence Production, headed by the Defence Production Secretary, the department was set up in November 1962 and is responsible for matters pertaining to defence production, planning and control of departmental production units of the Ordnance Factories Board, indigenisation of imported stores equipment and spares and has ownership over the following central public sector undertakings: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bharat Electronics, Bharat Earth Movers, Bharat Dynamics, Mazagon Dock Limited, Goa Shipyard Limited, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Yantra India Limited, Armoured Vehicles Nigam, Munitions India Limited and Mishra Dhatu Nigam{{cite web|url=http://ddpmod.gov.in/about-department-defence-production|title=About The DDP|website=Department of Defence Production, Government of India|url-status=dead|access-date=22 January 2018|archive-date=4 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204170746/http://ddpmod.gov.in/about-department-defence-production}}
• The Department of Defence Research and Development is headed by the Defence Research and Development Secretary and ex-officio chairperson of Defence Research and Development Organisation. The department was formed in 1958, after the three-way merger of the Technical Development Establishment of the Indian Army, the Directorate of Technical Development and Production, and the Defence Science Organisation. The department is responsible for the Defence Research and Development Organisation.{{cite web|url=https://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/English/index.jsp?pg=genesis.jsp|title=Genesis & Growth|website=Defence Research and Development Organization, Government of India|access-date=22 January 2018}}
• The Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare (DESW) is headed by the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Secretary. The department was set up in 2004 to look after veteran affairs. The Directorate General of Resettlement, the Kendriya Sainik Board and the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme come under the purview of DESW.{{cite web|url=http://www.desw.gov.in/about-us/about-desw|title=About DESW|website=Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Government of India|access-date=22 January 2018}}

The Finance Division of the Ministry of Defence is headed by the Financial Adviser (Defence Services). The financial advisor exercises financial control over proposals involving expenditure from the Defence Budget and is responsible for the internal audit and accounting of defence expenditure. In the latter tasks, the financial advisor is assisted by the Controller General of Defence Accounts.

• Sainik Schools
• Indian Army Public Schools

• Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
• Defence Institute of Advanced Technology
• Defence Institute of Psychological Research
• National Defence University
• Aeronautical Development Agency

Source:

{{columns-list|colwidth=40em|

• Officers Training Academy, Chennai
• Indian Military Academy, Dehradun
• National Defence Academy, Pune
• Rashtriya Indian Military College (R.I.M.C)
• Rashtriya Military Schools (Chail, Belgaum, Banglore, Ajmer, Dholpur)
• National Defence College, New Delhi
• College of Defence Management, Secunderabad
• Defence Services Staff College, Wellington Cantonment, The Nilgiris
• Military Institute of Technology (MILIT), Pune
• Armed Forces Medical College, Pune
• Directorate General Resettlement, New Delhi
• Directorate General of Defence Estates, New Delhi
• Directorate of Public Relations
• Canteen Stores Department
• Army Purchase Organisation
• Services Sports Control Board
• National Cadet Corps
• Directorate General Quality Assurance
• Armed Forces Films and Photo Division
• History Division, Ministry of Defence
• Ministry of Defence Library
• Border Roads Organisation
• Strategic Information Services
• Tactical Intelligence Division
• Armed Forces Medical Services
• Military Engineer Services}}

{{Main|Integrated Defence Staff}}

To ensure a high degree of synergy between the Armed forces, the Government has set up the Integrated Defence Staff, headed by the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff as the chairman. It was created on 1 October 2001 based on the recommendations of the Group of Ministers which was set up in 2000 (post the Kargil War) to review India's defence management.{{cite web|url=http://ids.nic.in/history.htm|title=About IDS > History|website=Integrated Defence Staff|access-date=14 January 2018}} It acts as the point organisation for integration of policy, doctrine, war-fighting and procurement by employing best management practices. The chairman of Integrated Defences Staff is a 4-star General (or his equivalent in the Air Force or the Navy).

The first Chief of Defence Staff was General Bipin Rawat, who took over on 1 January 2020.{{cite web|date=3 November 2016|title=Lt Gen Satish Dua takes over as CISC|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=(Release%20ID%20:153225)|access-date=14 January 2018|website=Press Information Bureau of India}}

{{Main|Chiefs of Staff Committee (India)}}

"Chiefs of Staff are the authority for advising the Defence Minister and normally through him the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on all military matters which require ministerial consideration". The Integrated Defence Staff is '"the principal arm and Secretariat to the Chiefs of Staff Committee".{{cite web|url=http://ids.nic.in/cosc.htm|title=THE CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE|work=Integrated Defence Staff|access-date=14 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://ids.nic.in/welcome.html|title=Welcome message from Chief of Integrated Defence Staff|website=Integrated Defence Staff|access-date=14 January 2018}}

The Chiefs of Staff Committee 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 Defence Staff (CDS) (non-voting member). The Scientific Adviser to the Minister of Defence is invited to attend whenever needed.

The senior-most member of the COSC is appointed its chairperson. General Bipin Rawat was the last head of COSC.{{cite news |title=Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa gets baton of COSC chief |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/air-chief-marshal-dhanoa-gets-baton-of-cosc-chief/article27283810.ece |work=The Hindu |date=29 May 2019 |language=en-IN}}

The position of COSC has ceased to exist with the creation of Chief of Defence Staff.

General Bipin Rawat was appointed the first Chief of Defence Staff in 2019. He died in a helicopter crash on 8 December 2021.

MoD is headed by the Defence Minister of India, who is supported by one, or more than one, minister of state.

There are about 400,000 defence civilians, under the MOD including Ministry of Finance personnel attached to MOD. In 2015–16 Defence pension bill was {{INRConvert|54,500|c|lk=on|year=2016}} of which about 36 per cent was on account of defence civilians.^[66]

{{See also|Defence Secretary (India)}}

The ministers are supported by several civilian, scientific and military advisers.

The Defence Secretary as head of the Department of Defence, is the senior most civil servant in the ministry and is responsible for coordinating the activities of the five departments in the ministry.{{cite web|url=https://mod.gov.in/dod/about-department-defence-0|title=About DoD|website=Department of Defence, Government of India|access-date=10 January 2018}} His/her role is to ensure that the MoD operates effectively as a department of the government.{{cite web|url=https://mod.gov.in/about--ministry|title=ABOUT THE MINISTRY|work=Ministry of Defence, Government of India|access-date=15 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://mod.nic.in/Forms/list.aspx?Lid=1743&Id=61|title=Who is Who: Organisation Structure and officers of the Ministry of Defence of Republic of India|publisher=Minister of Defence|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311152816/https://mod.nic.in/Forms/list.aspx?Lid=1743&Id=61|archive-date=11 March 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=29 December 2011}} Defence Secretary is assisted by additional secretaries and joint secretaries to Government of India posted in the ministry. The Defence Secretary, generally, is an officer from the Indian Administrative Service, apart from the Defence Secretary, there are three other secretary-level posts in the Ministry of Defence.

The Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister plays a key role in the formulation of research and development policies and in promoting self-reliance in Indian defence industries.

In 1955, the title of Commander-in-Chief was abolished and the three service chiefs were designated as the Chief of the Army Staff, the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff. The heads of the three services of Indian Armed Forces are:

• Chief of Defence Staff — General Anil Chauhan
• Chief of the Army Staff — General Upendra Dwivedi
• Chief of the Naval Staff — Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi
• Chief of the Air Staff — Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh

• Vice Chief of the Army Staff — Lieutenant General N.S.Raja Subramani
• Vice Chief of the Naval Staff — Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan
• Vice Chief of the Air Staff — Air Marshal Surjeet Pushpakar Dharkar

{{Main|Civil Services of India}}

• Armed Forces Medical Services

The SRIJAN is a portal launched by MoD to take up the products imported for indigenisation. According to Ministry; it displays defence products that have been imported recently and will tag with the Defence Public sector undertakings, Ordinance Factory Board and others to push for its domestic manufacturing for exports in future.{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/rajnath-singh-launches-online-portal-srijan-to-promote-indigenisation-in-defence-production-8710611.html|title=rajnath-singh-launches-online-portal-srijan-to-promote-indigenisation-in-defence-production|access-date=2020-09-02}}

• National Defence College (India)
• Military Institute of Technology (MILIT), Pune
• Defence Research and Development Organisation
• Indian Naval Academy
• Chief of Defence (India)
• Ministry of external affairs

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://mod.gov.in/ Official Website] Ministry of Defence, India
• [http://ddpmod.gov.in/index.php Official Website of Department of Defence Production]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110807100020/http://drdo.gov.in/drdo/English/index.jsp?pg=homebody.jsp Official Website of Defence Research and Development Organisation]
• [https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/AnnualReport1617.pdf Annual Report for the year 2016–17]
• [http://india.gov.in/min_dep.php?minid=06&minname=Ministry%20of%20 Defence Directory of Important Web Links of MOD]
• [http://ids.nic.in/ Official Website of the Integrated Defence Staff]
• [http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/ Sainik Samachar] Armed Forces News
• [https://www.udchalo.com/ udChalo] Super App For Soldiers

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{{Defence Ministry of India}}

{{Union ministries of India}}

{{Military of India}}

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