1. Relevance to UPSC CSE Syllabus:

• GS Paper II:
  • Governance and Role of Security Institutions
  • Government Policies and Interventions
  • Structure and Mandate of Strategic Bodies (NSA, CDS, DPC)
• GS Paper III:
  • Internal and External Security
  • Defence Reforms
  • Security Challenges and their Management
• GS Paper IV (Ethics):
  • Strategic ethics and national interest
  • Responsibility of leadership in public service

2. News in Short:

India Has Functional National Security Strategy Despite No Formal Document: CDS

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan clarified that India has a de facto National Security Strategy (NSS) even though it is not a written document. Refuting claims by analysts and critics, he emphasized that India has policy, process, and structural elements required for strategic security governance.

3. Why in News?

• General Anil Chauhan addressed the long-standing debate on whether India lacks a National Security Strategy.
• In his book launch, he argued that India’s strategic actions reflect a de facto NSS.
• He compared India’s model with Pakistan (written NSS in 2022) and Israel (no written NSS).
• Emphasized that structures, not just documents, are critical for national security.

4. Explanation of the News:

• CDS Statement:

  India’s strategic actions (e.g., Article 370 abrogation, counter-terrorism operations) reflect an existing NSS in practice, though undocumented.

• Comparative Perspective:

  • Israel has no written NSS but remains secure due to operational readiness.
  • Pakistan has a written NSS (2022) but suffers from implementation failures.

• Defence Planning Committee (DPC):

  Set up in 2018 under the National Security Adviser to draft NSS and National Defence Strategy (NDS). No formal update yet.

• General Manoj Naravane's View:

  Called for a written NSS and stronger defence architecture for integrated theatre commands.