22 May 2024 : PIB Summary for UPSC

● Speaking at a memorial lecture, he emphasised advancing to “Jointness 2.0” for better operational efficiency and incorporating multi-domain operations, including cyberspace and digitization.

● Recommended in 2001 by a Group of Ministers (GoM) studying the Kargil Review Committee (1999) report.

● Integrated Defence Staff created in 2002 to serve as the CDS’s Secretariat.

● Naresh Chandra Committee (2012) suggested a Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.

● Officially created in 2019 on the recommendation of a committee led by Lt General DB Shekatkar.

● General Bipin Rawat appointed as the first CDS on December 31, 2019.

Roles and Responsibilities

● Foster operational synergy between the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

● Head the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) in the Ministry of Defence.

● Single-point military adviser to the Defence Minister.

● Prioritise inter-service procurement decisions as Permanent Chairman-Chiefs of Staff Committee.

● Provide directives to the three service chiefs without command authority.

● Advisory role in the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA).

Significance

● Enhances synergy between armed forces and the Ministry of Defence.

● Accelerates decision-making as Principal Military Adviser (PMA) to the Defence Minister.

● Addresses dysfunction in the Chiefs

● Integrated Theatre Commands (ITC) are unified military structures that combine resources and personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force under a single command.

● Their purpose is to streamline operations, enhance jointness, and improve overall military effectiveness by focusing on combined, multi-domain warfare and coordinated defence strategies.

 Significance of Integrated Theatre Commands (ITC):

● Enhanced Coordination: Integrated Theatre Commands (ITC) ensure seamless coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force, enabling unified and efficient responses to threats.

● Operational Synergy: ITCs foster jointness, promoting interoperability and cohesive action among different service branches during operations.

● Resource Optimization: Shared resources and unified command structures reduce redundancy, leading to more efficient use of defence resources.

● Faster Decision-Making: Streamlined command chains and reduced bureaucratic layers allow for quicker decision-making in critical situations.

● Improved Strategy Implementation: Centralised planning and execution enhance the implementation of comprehensive military strategies.

● Enhanced Flexibility: ITCs provide the flexibility to reallocate forces and resources swiftly in response to dynamic threat environments.

● Effective Joint Operations: ITCs enable more effective planning and execution of joint operations, improving combat effectiveness and mission success.

● Promote Modernization: ITCs drive modernization by integrating advanced technologies and capabilities across the services.

● Holistic Defence Posture: A unified command structure enhances India’s overall defence posture, ensuring a robust and cohesive defence mechanism.

● Over 350 participants from nearly 40 nations are attending to address issues related to Antarctica’s governance and environmental protection.

● Demilitarization: Prohibits military activity, nuclear testing, and the disposal of radioactive waste in Antarctica.

● Scientific Research: Facilitates scientific research and promotes international cooperation in exploration and study of the Antarctic region.

● Environmental Protection: Requires environmental impact assessments for activities in Antarctica and protects its fragile ecosystems.

● Open to All Countries: Allows any UN member state to become a consultative party to the treaty, participating in decision-making on Antarctic issues.

● Longevity: It is one of the most successful international agreements, fostering peace and cooperation in Antarctica for over six decades.

● During each summer, a substantial volume of meltwater is generated, posing a threat to the stability of ice shelves

● The Antarctic Peninsula has experienced a 3°C warming, leading to the retreat of formerly stable ice shelves.

● Since the 1950s, approximately 25,000 km2 of ice shelf has been lost.

Reasons for Disproportionate Impact of Climate Change on Antarctic Region:

● Rapid Warming: The Antarctic region is experiencing faster warming than the global average due to feedback mechanisms and polar amplification.

● Melting Ice: Accelerated melting of polar ice caps and glaciers contributes to sea-level rise, threatening coastal regions worldwide.

● Loss of Ice Shelves: Disintegration of ice shelves due to warming temperatures weakens the stability of the Antarctic ice sheet, leading to increased ice flow into the ocean.

● Altered Ecosystems: Climate change disrupts Antarctic ecosystems, affecting biodiversity, food chains, and species distribution.

● Ocean Acidification: Absorption of atmospheric CO2 by Southern Ocean waters leads to ocean acidification, impacting marine life and ecosystems.

Way Forward:

● Mitigation Measures: Implement ambitious global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to mitigate the impacts on the Antarctic region.

● Enhanced Research: Increase funding for scientific research to improve understanding of Antarctic climate dynamics, ice dynamics, and ecosystem responses to climate change.

● Conservation Efforts: Strengthen conservation measures to protect Antarctic biodiversity and ecosystems, including marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries management.

● International Cooperation: Enhance international cooperation and collaboration on climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies for the Antarctic region.

● Policy Advocacy: Advocate for policies and agreements that prioritize climate action and protect the Antarctic environment, such as the Paris Agreement and the Antarctic Treaty System.