Governmental Machinery for the Evolution of National Defence Policy and the Higher Direction of war

Under the Constitution of India, the President is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. He is required to act in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. Thus the ultimate authority with regard to all Defence matters rests with the Defence Minister, subject to the overall direction of the Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues. The Defence Minister is assisted by the Defence Secretary on the civil side, and by the Chiefs of the three armed forces—the Chief of Array Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff. The three Chiefs of Staff are simultaneously the heads of their respective forces and are the highest executive authorities with extensive powers of discipline and control vested m them in pursuane of various statutes, under the general control of Government.