---
title: "Department of Military Affairs (DMA), India | Model Diplomat"
description: "The Department of Military Affairs, established in 2019, integrates India's armed forces and is led by the Chief of Defence Staff."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/department-of-military-affairs"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Department of Military Affairs is the fifth department of India's Ministry of Defence, created in 2019 and headed by the Chief of Defence Staff as its Secretary.
- Who heads the Department of Military Affairs and what is their rank?
- How does the Department of Military Affairs differ from the Department of Defence?
- Does the Chief of Defence Staff command the three service chiefs?
- What is the DMA's role in theatreisation?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The Department of Military Affairs is the fifth department of India's Ministry of Defence, created in 2019 and headed by the Chief of Defence Staff as its Secretary.

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## Timeline

1. 1 January 2020

   The Department of Military Affairs (DMA) was established on as the fifth department within India's Ministry of Defence, joining the Department of Defence, t…

2. 15 August 2019

   Its creation flowed from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day announcement on that India would institute a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and from…

3. 24 December 2019

   Its creation flowed from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day announcement on 15 August 2019 that India would institute a Chief of Defence Staff (…

4. 8 December 2021

   After General Rawat's death in a helicopter crash near Coonoor on , the post of CDS and DMA Secretary remained vacant until General Anil Chauhan assumed offi…

5. 30 September 2022

   After General Rawat's death in a helicopter crash near Coonoor on 8 December 2021, the post of CDS and DMA Secretary remained vacant until General Anil Chauh…

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In June 2023, the Department of Military Affairs piloted the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act through Parliament to enable joint commanders to discipline personnel across all three services.

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