CDS makes renewed push for Defence University
Establishment of an Indian defence university, which has faced several delays and cost revisions, is now getting a renewed push from the chief of defence staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat.
Officials have taken a two-pronged approach — through the CDS and the bureaucracy — to ensure faster clearance of the draft Indian Defence University (IDU) Bill from the Prime Minister’s Office. The matter is also set to be raised with the chiefs of the defence services and the defence minister.
The Indian Defence University (IDU), a plan mooted first 53 years ago and had its foundation stone laid in 2013, has been envisioned for addressing deficiencies in India’s security management and formulate policies on strategic challenges. The draft IDU Bill has been lying at the PMO for the past one and a half years, officials said.
Establishment of the university is among the priorities of the CDS. One of the first presentations made before General Rawat after he took over as the CDS was on the IDU, officials said.
“The CDS has been monitoring its progress. There is a concerted effort by him to push for establishing the IDU. He had mentioned then that the three chiefs of the army, air force and navy should also be briefed about the matter,” an official said.
A date is being finalised to give them this briefing, and defence minister Rajnath Singh is also being made aware of the details of the IDU. Officials said the IDU Bill could be presented in the next session. This is one approach being adopted by the headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff.
