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Static GKMediumAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper I

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:

  1. A.1, 2 and 3
  2. B.1 and 2 only
  3. C.2 and 3 only
  4. D.1 and 3 only

Correct answer

D. 1 and 3 only

Explanation

The correct answer is D, 1 and 3 only. The Chief of Defence Staff is the permanent chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the principal military adviser to the Defence Minister, but does not command the three Service Chiefs.

The post was created in December 2019 on the recommendation of the Kargil Review Committee and the Shekatkar committee, and General Bipin Rawat became the first CDS on 1 January 2020. The CDS also heads the Department of Military Affairs, created in the Ministry of Defence, and works as its secretary. The charter of the office states clearly that the CDS will not exercise any military command, including over the three Service Chiefs, so that each chief keeps command of his own service. The role is to bring jointness in operations, training, logistics and procurement.

A is wrong because it includes statement 2. B is wrong because it includes statement 2 and leaves out statement 3. C is wrong because it includes statement 2 and leaves out statement 1.

Exam tip: CDS = four-star officer, heads DMA, chairs COSC, but holds no command.

Practice Questions

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Q3.Static GKAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2024, GKHard

In which of the following matters placed before the UN General Assembly, a resolution by two-thirds majority of the members present and voting is required? 1. Admission of new members to the UN 2. Election of the non-permanent members of the Security Council 3. Election of members of the Economic and Social Council Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.1 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: D. 1, 2 and 3

Article 18 of the UN Charter lists all three as 'important questions' that need a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.

Q4.Static GKAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2026, GKEasy

Which of the following countries were the founding members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), established in 1985 ? 1. India 2. Nepal 3. Maldives 4. Afghanistan Select the answer using the codes given below :

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.1, 2 and 3 only
  3. C.3 and 4 only
  4. D.1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 1, 2 and 3 only

India, Nepal and the Maldives signed the SAARC Charter in 1985, while Afghanistan joined only in 2007. SAARC was set up at the Dhaka summit on 8 December 1985 by seven South Asian countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Q5.Static GKAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct ? 1. UN-Habitat has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all. 2. Its partners are either governments or local urban authorities only. 3. UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and to promote access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. A.1, 2 and 3
  2. B.1 and 3 only
  3. C.2 and 3 only
  4. D.1 only
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 1 and 3 only

UN-Habitat has a General Assembly mandate for sustainable cities and shelter, and it works on poverty, water and sanitation, but its partners are not limited to governments.