Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee

The Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, is the head of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. The most senior chief of staff is appointed to serve as a chairman until he retires. The current chairman is Admiral Sunil Lanba.

History
Following the end of the Kargil war, Kargil Review Committee found there was a lack of communication between the service branches, and therefore suggested to create a Chief of Defence Staff position. This was however rejected by many members of the military, arguing that only great or imperial powers engaging in power projection needed that amount integration. A compromise was created with establishment of the CoSC. The Chairman is responsible for inter-service synergy. However, as the CoSC only serve as Primus inter pares to the other Chiefs of Staff, he does not wield any power. The Chairman is assisted by the Integrated Defence Staff.

Talks concerning the creation of a Chief of Defence Staff position remain ongoing. Likewise, it has been suggested that the position of chairman be made permanent, with a renewable 2 year term. Both of these suggestions have been rejected by the Indian Air Force. In December 2018, however, the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee Admiral Sunil Lanba stated the heads of the three services had "finally agreed on a permanent chief of staff committee," and the matter had been sent to the Defence Ministry for consideration.