New Delhi: Defence Ministry has drawn up the Rules of Business for the newly created Department of Military Affairs (DMA) headed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

The Rules which have got a stamp of approval by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to be notified as a gazette soon. “Under the DMA which is headed by the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat will be a full house. There will be two Joint Secretaries, 13 Deputy Secretaries, 25 Under Secretaries and 22 Section officers in the new DMA,” sources said.

The Training Policy, all training setups including the National Defence Academy (NDA), the Indian Military Academy (IMA), the Officers Training Academy (OTA) and the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) would also be under the CDS. The cadre management of the Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and other ranks will be looked after by the new CDS.

As part of the Government’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ – military diplomacy with the countries in the neighbourhood will be managed by General Rawat.

During his tenure as the Indian Army Chief, a couple of studies related to the review of officers and JCOs and ORs were carried out which are awaiting government approval before being implemented.

It is also expected to take care of the training and staffing for the Services. This will be done through both joint planning and through the integration of the requirements of the forces.

It is also going to be involved in the restructure of Military Commands. This will help in the optimal utilisation of resources as it will bring in jointness in operations. And this will be through the establishment of joint or theatre commands, using indigenous equipment.

The three Services are now under the ambit of the DMA along with the Territorial Army. Also, all works relating to the three Services and except capital acquisitions all other procurement exclusive to the Services will be made.