The United Service Institution of India was founded in 1870 by a soldier scholar, Colonel (later Major General) Sir Charles MacGregor. The story of its growth is the story of the growth of the Indian Armed Forces. It was founded for ‘furtherance of interest and knowledge in the art, science and literature of the Defence Services.’
About the Monograph
| This monograph provides a rigorous examination of India’s decision to create the post of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and institute the Department of Military Affairs (DMA)—a landmark reform in the country’s higher defence management. The author traces the historical evolution of India’s defence organisational structures, highlighting long-standing gaps in civil–military integration and the persistent dominance of the civilian bureaucracy in policy formulation. Through a balanced and evidence-based analysis, the monograph evaluates the authority, responsibilities, and limitations of the CDS, unpacking the complex interplay between unity of command and the need for effective checks and balances. It further assesses how these reforms seek to promote jointness, enhance resource optimisation, streamline acquisition, and align India’s military instrument with contemporary security demands. The study serves as a crucial reference for scholars and practitioners navigating India’s evolving defence reforms. |