Seat Central Secretariat Formation 1 April 1955 | Appointer The President of India | |
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Term length 3 years or at the age of 62, whichever is earlier. Precursor Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army First holder General Rajendrasinhji Jadeja | ||
The Chief of the Army Staff is the commander and usually the highest-ranking officer of the Indian Army. The position is abbreviated as COAS in Indian Army, and usually held by a four-star officer in the rank of General.
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The current COAS is General Bipin Rawat, who took office on 31 December 2016 following the retirement of General Dalbir Singh.
Office of the Chief of the Army Staff
The office of the Chief of the Army Staff was created through The Commanders-In-Chief (Change in Designation) Act of the Indian Parliament in 1955. It replaced the erstwhile office of the Commander-in-Chief, Army. The office is based at South Block of the Central Secretariat at Raisina Hill, New Delhi.
Appointments to the office are made by the President of India. The COAS reaches superannuation upon three years in the office or at the age of 62, whichever is earlier.
Appointees
The following table chronicles the appointees to the office of the Chief of the Army Staff or its preceding positions since the independence of India.
Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army (1947–1955)
( *Seconded from the British Army )