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College of Defence Management
College of Defence Management
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The College of Defence Management (CDM) is an Indian defence service training institution imparting management training to defence servants. CDM is entrusted with the responsibility of instilling contemporary management thoughts, concepts and practices in the senior leadership of the three services.[1]

Key Information

It is an educational institute sponsored by India's Ministry of Defence, which provides scientific and management education to Indian Armed Forces officers.[2] The institute, considered as the only exclusive college in Asia for defence management training to the Armed Forces, is run under the management of the Indian Armed Forces and is located in Sainikpuri in Secunderabad, in the recently formed Telangana State of India.[3]

Profile

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College of Defence Management, 50th anniversary stamp, 2020

The College of Defence Management had its origin in December 1970 under the name, the Institute of Defence Management (IDM), as a part of the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME), with Brigadier V. Dhruva as the founder Director, for providing the Defence Services officers with modern management training.[4][5]

CDM started its first batch of Long Defence Management Course (LDMC) in March 1971 with 44 students. This has since been upgraded to cover three levels of courses, at Masters, MPhil and doctoral levels. By 1978, the college had four functional faculties such as Faculty of Organization Behavior, Faculty of Decision Analysis, Faculty of Research and Consultancy and Faculty of Training Support (the Faculty of Information Systems was added in January 2004). In 1983, CDM was accepted as a cooperating member of the All India Management Association. CDM was re-designated, in April 1985, as the College of Defence Management. In 1986, the All India Management Association certified the LDM Course as an Advanced Course of Instruction in Defence Management.

Osmania University, in August 1994, gave accreditation to CDM courses and, in March 2005, recognized it as a national centre for conducting research in management studies. The college provides research and consultancy services to the three services as well as undertakes projects on behalf of them.[6] It also serves the public and private sector by holding management sessions.

The HQ of the Ministry of Defence
Military spending of countries around the world

Mandate

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The college was established with a dual set of mandates with regard to the two lines of management studies.

Higher Defence Management Course

  • Understand the national security imperatives and the defence planning process in order to effectively contribute towards perspective planning in the armed forces.
  • Enhance leadership potential and human skills through an understanding of contemporary leadership concepts, human behaviour and motivational process.
  • Understand the process of organisational development and interventions through application of management principles and innovative training concepts in the armed forces.
  • Gain sufficient exposure to management concepts and quantitative techniques for effective planning and execution of logistics in a Single and integrated service environment.
  • Acquire a clear understanding of economic concepts and their application in the armed forces, especially in the areas of financial planning, budgeting and controlling.
  • Leverage information systems to add value to operational planning process using analytical decision making in a net centric environment.
  • Leverage the power of quantitative techniques as aids to decision making in the contextual domain of situations relevant to operational and logistic aspects in the armed forces.
  • Understand nuances of efficiently managing various facets of defence projects.
  • Develop understanding of systems approach, so as to optimally exploit the management concepts and quantitative, as well as qualitative techniques for pragmatic decision making.
  • Gain an insight into the research methodology required to carry out an in-depth study of management problems, so as to evolve workable solutions.

Senior Defence Management Course

  • Enhance awareness through an exposure to contemporary concepts in organisational behaviour.
  • Appreciate current trends in organisational interventions for enhancing organisational effectiveness.
  • Understand the process of defence planning so as to be able to appreciate the complexities of perspective planning and force structuring.
  • Augment decision making capabilities through systems approach, using quantitative as well as qualitative techniques and exploiting IT applications.
  • Understand the fundamentals of macro economic issues with particular emphasis on financial planning in the armed forces.
  • Acquire understanding of issues related to logistics in the armed forces for optimal utilisation of resources.
  • Relate to aspects of information technology, so as to harness its potential as a force multiplier while exploiting it in a secure environment.

List of commandants

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S.No Name Appointment Date Left Office Notes
1 Brigadier V. Dhruva, AVSM August 1970 May 1973 First Commandant of CDM[7]
2 Air Commodore R. J. M. Upot, AVSM May 1973 December 1975
3 Commodore H. S. Punia December 1975 August 1977
4 Brigadier B. P. Upasani August 1977 November 1980
5 Air Commodore P. K. Puri, AVSM December 1980 December 1983 Later served as Commandant of the National Defence College
6 Rear Admiral A. Ghosh March 1984 October 1984 First Two Star Officer to seve as Commandant
7 Rear Admiral R. S. Sharma, AVSM, VSM October 1984 June 1986
8 Major General D. K. Mehta June 1986 February 1989
9 Air Vice Marshal S. Kulkarni, VM March 1989 April 1991 Later served as Commandant of the National Defence College
10 Rear Admiral S. C. Gupta, VSM April 1991 April 1993
11 Major General S. P. Jain May 1993 March 1995
12 Air Vice Marshal T. J. Master, AVSM April 1995 June 1997 Later served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command
13 Rear Admiral R. M. Khetarpal March 1988 August 1999
14 Major General K. C. Padha, VSM September 1999 July 2001
15 Air Vice Marshal H. P. S. Sidhu, AVSM, VSM August 2001 August 2003
16 Rear Admiral V. Balachandran, AVSM, NM, VSM August 2003 July 2005
17 Major General P. K. Mahajan, AVSM July 2005 February 2007
18 Air Vice Marshal A. Saikia, AVSM, VM April 2007 April 2009
19 Rear Admiral V. S. Batra, VSM April 2009 September 2011
20 Major General Sandeep Singh, AVSM, SM, VSM October 2011 July 2012
21 Major General N P Gadkari July 2012 July 2013
22 Air Vice Marshal Rajeev Sachdeva August 2013 September 2015
23 Rear Admiral Dushyant Singh Chouhan September 2015 December 2017
24 Major General Sandeep Sharma, VSM, Ph.D January 2018 December 2020
25 Air Vice Marshal Pawan Mohey, VSM December 2020 January 2022
26 Rear Admiral Sanjay Datt, VSM January 2022 May 2024
27 Major General Harsh Chibber, VSM June 2024 September 2025 [8]
27 Major General G. Srinivas September 2025 To date [9]

Courses and affiliations

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CDM is affiliated to Osmania University for its Masters, MPhil and PhD programs. Efforts are on to set up an Indian National Defence University (INDU) which will soon bring all the Indian defence related institutions under its umbrella.

Master of Management Studies: The course was started as Long Defence Management Course (LDMC), later upgraded to Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC), and was open to selected senior officers of the armed forces, para military forces, MOD and friendly foreign countries. The course envisaged to hone the management skills through knowledge transfer of management concepts and their applications. On 14 August 1994, CDM entered into an agreement with Osmania University whereby the course was recognized as post graduate degree with the title, Master of Management Studies (MMS), awarded by Osmania University.[10]

MPhil: This is a faculty development program and is aimed at the faculty posted at the college, who can pursue their studies at MPhil level as per Osmania University curriculum.

National Center for Research: CDM is an Osmania University recognized centre for doctoral research in management studies, leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).[11] The program was started on 23 March 2005.

Departments

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The college has five functional departments attending to various affairs of the institution.

Behavioural science

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The Faculty of Behavioural Sciences is responsible for the various courses and programs conducted by CDM and covers two areas of functions, each managed by a department.

Department of Organisational Behaviour: The department has set mandates to develop and conduct courses and programs in Organizational Behaviour.

  • To enhance leadership potential and human skills through an understanding of contemporary leadership concepts, human behaviour and motivational process.
  • To understand the process of organisational development and interventions through the application of contemporary management principles.

Department of Strategic Management: The department acts as a nodal agency for the promotion of strategic concepts in the Armed Forces with regard to national and military security.[12]

  • To enable Officers undergoing course to formulate a holistic national security and military strategy and develop strategy implementation plan.
  • To develop into a National repository and central focal point for all aspects connected with Management of National Security, Management of Military Security and Defence Planning and for interaction with the agencies within India and abroad.

Resource management

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The Faculty of Resource Management takes care of the training of the officers of the three services in the field of Resource Management with special emphasis on Finance Management and Supply Chain Management. The faculty was started in 1974 as Faculty of Management Techniques and, through a series of name changes, became the Faculty of Resource Management (FRM) in 2011.

Decision sciences

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Originally started in 1977 as the department of Decision Analysis, the department was rechristened as the Faculty of Decision Sciences in 2004. The Faculty's activities are consolidated under three separate departments.

  • Department of Operations Research.
  • Department of Statistics.
  • Department of Project Management

It was through the effort of this faculty, CDM was accorded the status of institutional member of the International Project Management Association (IPMA).

Research and consultancy

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The Faculty of Research and Consultancy looks after the functions of drafting and implementation of organizational set up which include development of organization's mission, vision and objectives, policies and plans and resource allocation for implementation of policies, plans, projects and programs and evaluation of progress.[13]

Personnel, administration and training

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PAT Department attends to the administrative matters which include personnel, infrastructure, budget, welfare and sports. It coordinates the training and curricular activities.

Joint training exercises

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CDM has organized or hosted several joint training exercises under various mandates.

Exercise Aman Sena: Exercise Aman Sena was conducted from 21 May to 29 May 2009 under the mandate of Peace Support Operations (PSO), a United Nations mandated platform with India as the coordinating nation. The exercise aimed at streamlining and formalizing joint planning and conduct of UN mandated Multinational Peace Support Operations. The exercise was attended by 80 officers from the armed forces of 14 countries and was a support activity of UN Peace Support Operations.

Exercise Raksha Yojna: Exercise Raksha Yojna is a training exercise on strategic planning, optimization of resources and preparation and implementation of perspective plans.

Exercise Yudh Abhyas (Trishul): This exercise is a war game for the participants of HDMC (MMS) programs and is conducted by the Higher Command Wing of Army War College (AWC) Mhow. The purpose of the exercise is to enable the participants to apply management tools and techniques in pragmatic decision making. The exercise, original started as Exercise Yudh Abhyas has since been renamed as Exercise Trishul.

Exercise Parivartan: Exercise Parivartan is a war game open to the participants from the three services of the armed forces, devised with the objective to train the participants to use modern management tools and techniques in the tactical planning and execution of offensive and defensive operations.

Exercise Parivartan: Exercise Parivartan is a research based exercise where the participants undertake project studies on organizational problems and their solutions.

Publications

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The CDM has a regular publication by name Defence Management Journal which had its first issue released in January 1974. The Journal is now released biannually.

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

College of Defence Management

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The College of Defence Management (CDM) is a tri-service institution of the Indian Armed Forces, located in Secunderabad, Telangana, established in December 1970 to impart specialised management training to selected officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, it functions as a national centre for defence management education, focusing on equipping mid- and senior-level personnel with skills in strategic planning, resource allocation, and administrative leadership essential for operational efficiency in military contexts. The institution's motto, Naipunyat Vijayo Dhruvah (Victory Through Excellence), underscores its emphasis on excellence-driven competence building. CDM commenced its flagship Long Defence Management Course (LDMC) in March 1971 with an initial cohort of 44 officers, expanding over time to include specialised programmes in areas such as , , and diplomatic skills for military leaders. By conducting rigorous, practice-oriented curricula blending academic theory with real-world simulations, the college has trained more than 10,000 officers, including select civilian personnel from defence ministries, fostering a cadre capable of addressing complex defence challenges through evidence-based . Its tri-service integration promotes jointmanship, a critical factor in enhancing inter-service coordination amid India's evolving security landscape. Notable achievements include its designation as a premier training hub for strategic management thought in the armed forces and the conferment of the President's Colours in 2024, honouring 54 years of contributions to defence professionalisation. The college maintains affiliations with bodies like the All India Management Association and regularly hosts national seminars on topics such as military power development, ensuring its programmes remain aligned with contemporary empirical needs rather than outdated paradigms.

History

Establishment in 1970

The Institute of Defence Management, predecessor to the College of Defence Management, was established in , , in July 1970 as a tri-service institution under the to impart modern management training to senior armed forces officers. The initiative addressed deficiencies in administrative and logistical capabilities exposed during the 1962 and 1965 Indo-Pakistani War, where combat effectiveness was hampered by inadequate resource management and decision-making processes beyond tactical operations. Brigadier V. Dhruva, AVSM, served as the inaugural Commandant from August 1970, introducing foundational courses in management principles, decision-making, and organizational behavior tailored to military contexts. The institution's formal inauguration occurred on December 8, 1970, presided over by Vice President G. S. Pathak, marking the start of its operations with an initial focus on short management development programs for officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This tri-service framework ensured integrated training across branches, emphasizing skills in strategic planning, financial administration, and human resource management essential for higher defense leadership roles. Early curriculum development under Dhruva prioritized practical applications, drawing from civilian management models while adapting them to defense-specific challenges like supply chain logistics and operational efficiency. By late 1970, the institute had begun enrolling select senior officers, laying the groundwork for its evolution into a premier national center for defense management education, with initial facilities housed in to facilitate proximity to military headquarters. reflected India's post-independence push toward professionalizing its armed forces' administrative apparatus, independent of foreign models, to enhance in governance.

Expansion and Evolution (1970s–2000s)

Following its inception as the Institute of Defence Management in 1970, the institution broadened its training mandate during the and by incorporating modules on , , frameworks, and , moving beyond foundational administrative skills to address the multifaceted demands of modern military . This evolution aligned with India's post-1971 war emphasis on professionalizing defence administration amid growing operational complexities, including and joint-service coordination. In April 1985, the institute was redesignated the College of Defence , signifying its maturation into a dedicated tri-service hub for advanced managerial , with the Long Defence Management Course (LDMC) established as its core 44-week program for colonels and equivalents, focusing on and policy formulation. The saw further curriculum refinements, including short-duration courses on specialized topics like and , while infrastructure upgrades culminated in the relocation to a purpose-built in on 1 June 2001, enabling larger cohorts and enhanced simulation-based . By the early , these developments positioned CDM as Asia's primary institution for defence , over 10,000 officers cumulatively and fostering inter-service .

Recent Developments (2010s–Present)

In the 2010s, the College of Defence Management sustained its primary training mandate through ongoing iterations of the Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC), a 44-week program that in June 2010 enrolled 127 officers from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and friendly foreign nations. The institution aligned its curriculum with evolving national security needs, incorporating contemporary management practices amid India's military modernization efforts. The 2020 Golden Jubilee marked a significant , with celebrations concluding on December 8, 2020, commemorating five decades of tri-service leadership training. On October 21, 2020, the Chief of Army Staff released a commemorative during a visit, highlighting the college's role in developing managerial acumen for senior officers. In tandem, issued a special stamp honoring the 50th anniversary. Accredited by the (NAAC) with an A+ grade and CGPA of 3.51 in its second cycle, valid from April 2021, the college demonstrated institutional excellence in defence education. Recent initiatives include the Defence Datathon, a tri-services data analytics competition launched to bolster capabilities; its second edition concluded on November 27, 2024. On December 20, 2024, President presented the President's Colours to the institution, the highest honor for armed forces units recognizing over 50 years of meritorious service in training military leaders. The college has continued flagship offerings, including the 21st HDMC inaugurated on May 27, 2025, alongside specialized Programmes such as and System Analysis in January 2025 and a week-long program concluding September 13, 2025. These efforts integrate with national priorities like the New Education Policy and Mission.

Mandate and Objectives

Core Mission in Defence Management

The College of Defence Management (CDM) serves as a tri-service institution dedicated to imparting contemporary skills to senior officers from the , , and , enabling them to handle complex defence administration and strategic decision-making. This mission emphasizes the integration of theories with operational realities, fostering capabilities in resource optimization, organizational , and policy formulation amid evolving security threats. At its core, CDM's objectives include training directional-level officers in strategic management concepts, such as , financial planning, and human resource development tailored to defence contexts. The flagship Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC), a 44-week residential program, operationalizes this by selecting approximately 100 officers annually to enhance their proficiency in these areas, with a focus on practical application through case studies and simulations derived from real-world defence scenarios. This training aims to bridge the gap between tactical expertise and higher-level administrative demands, ensuring officers can contribute to joint-service efficiency and imperatives. Beyond coursework, the mission extends to research and consultancy services that support the in areas like optimization and performance evaluation, drawing on empirical data from operations to refine management practices. By prioritizing evidence-based approaches over doctrinal adherence, CDM cultivates a cadre of leaders capable of adapting to fiscal constraints and technological disruptions, as evidenced by its alignment with broader reforms in defence and jointness since the . This focus underscores a causal emphasis on managerial competence as a multiplier for operational effectiveness in resource-limited environments.

Alignment with National Security Priorities

The College of Defence Management (CDM) aligns its training with India's priorities by equipping senior tri-service officers with the skills necessary to integrate defence planning with broader geopolitical and economic imperatives. Through its core curriculum, particularly the 44-week Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC), CDM emphasizes the stages of —from establishing intent and formulating strategies to implementation and control—enabling participants to address threats such as border incursions, maritime chokepoints, and internal insurgencies while optimizing amid fiscal constraints. This focus ensures that defence expenditures, which reached approximately ₹6.24 crore (about $75 billion) in the 2024-25 budget, are directed toward high-priority areas like modernization and joint operations, supporting the government's emphasis on integrated theatre commands and in . CDM's programs further promote alignment by incorporating contemporary security challenges into training modules on , , and , fostering leaders capable of navigating and technological disruptions. National seminars hosted by the institution, such as the January 2025 event on developing strategic authenticity, highlight the imperative for defence to synchronize with national objectives through advancements in AI, cyber defence, and structural reforms, as articulated by serving chiefs. These initiatives address India's strategic vulnerabilities, including the two-front threat from and , by emphasizing tri-service cohesion and efficient logistics, which are critical for sustaining operations in high-altitude terrains and extended supply chains. In recognition of this alignment, high-level endorsements underscore CDM's contributions to national resilience. President , during the December 2024 presentation of colours, noted the institution's essential role in preparing officers for grey zone and hybrid threats prevalent in India's security environment, thereby enhancing the armed forces' adaptability to non-traditional conflicts that blend conventional, irregular, and informational domains. By bridging management education with operational realities, CDM supports policy directives like the 2020 creation, which prioritizes jointness and capability development to deter aggression and secure economic interests in the .

Leadership and Administration

Commandants and Succession

The College of Defence Management is headed by a Commandant, a senior tri-service officer responsible for directing its management training programs, research initiatives, and administrative operations. Appointments to this position are made by the Government of India through the Ministry of Defence, with the role rotating among equivalent two-star ranks from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force to reflect the institution's tri-service character. Tenures generally span two years, though variations occur due to promotions or operational needs, and handovers are marked by formal ceremonies emphasizing continuity in defence management education. Succession has featured officers with extensive operational and academic experience, ensuring alignment with evolving demands. For instance, , AVSM, VSM, PhD (), handed over to Pawan Mohey, VSM () in December 2020. Mohey relinquished charge on December 31, 2021, succeeded by Rear Admiral Sanjay Datt, VSM () on January 19, 2022. Rear Admiral Datt served until May 31, 2024, when Harsh Chhibber, VSM, PhD (), assumed the role as the 27th Commandant. Chhibber, an alumnus of the college, was later promoted to and handed over on October 1, 2025, to G. Srinivas (), who brought expertise in logistics from operations such as Operation Sindoor.
CommandantRank and ServiceAssumed OfficeRelinquished Office
Pawan MoheyAir Vice Marshal, Indian Air ForceDecember 202031 December 2021
Sanjay DattRear Admiral, Indian Navy19 January 202231 May 2024
Harsh ChhibberMajor General (later Lieutenant General), Indian Army31 May 20241 October 2025
G. SrinivasMajor General, Indian Army1 October 2025Incumbent

Organizational Governance

The College of Defence Management (CDM) functions under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), an organizational entity within the responsible for promoting jointness and integration among the . This structure ensures alignment with national defence policy and resource allocation, with CDM designated as a premier tri-service training institution focused on management education for senior officers. Governance emphasizes rotational leadership to maintain balance across services, with the —a two-star (equivalent to in the , in the , or in the )—appointed in rotation from the , , and for a typical tenure of two years. This mechanism fosters inter-service collaboration and prevents service-specific dominance in . As of October 1, 2025, G. Srinivas, an , assumed the role of , succeeding previous leaders in this cyclical appointment process. Administrative oversight integrates CDM's operations with broader defence management frameworks, including curriculum approval, funding, and performance evaluation conducted through HQ IDS channels. The college's tri-service character extends to internal committees and composition, drawing expertise from all three services to support in areas such as course development and , without a standalone external governing board but under direct MoD sponsorship.

Academic Programs and Training

Flagship Courses like HDMC

The Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC) constitutes the flagship program of the College of Defence Management (CDM), targeting senior officers at the or equivalent rank to foster expertise in strategic defence and optimization. This 44-week residential course emphasizes holistic development in defence , integrating modules on behavioural sciences for enhancement, decision sciences for analytical problem-solving, for logistical , and research methodologies tailored to contexts. Participants engage in simulations of defence planning processes, war scenarios, and inter-service coordination exercises to prepare for higher command roles. Launched annually, HDMC selects approximately 150-170 officers from the , , and , supplemented by 10-15 international delegates from partner nations to promote collaborative strategic insights. For instance, the 21st edition (HDMC-21), inaugurated on May 27, 2025, included 167 participants, with 12 from friendly countries, underscoring CDM's role in regional security capacity-building. The curriculum aligns with evolving demands, incorporating contemporary topics such as joint operations, technological integration in warfare, and fiscal prudence in defence budgeting. Upon completion, graduates receive a in management studies, often in affiliation with academic institutions like , validating the program's academic rigor alongside its practical military focus. HDMC's structure mandates active participation in case studies, group projects, and guest lectures from defence experts, ensuring officers emerge equipped to handle complex, multi-domain challenges in resource-constrained environments. While primarily long-duration, similar flagship-oriented courses like the Senior Defence Management Course (SDMC) offer condensed 4-week intensives for flag-rank officers, focusing on executive-level decision-making but lacking HDMC's comprehensive depth.

Specialized Short Courses and Affiliations

The College of Defence Management conducts a range of specialized short courses tailored to develop managerial competencies among tri-service officers and select personnel from friendly foreign nations, emphasizing practical applications in defence administration, , and . These courses complement the institution's flagship longer programs by addressing targeted skill gaps in areas such as strategic , optimization, and contemporary challenges like acquisition processes and budgeting. Prominent among these is the four-week Senior Defence Management Course (SDMC), designed for senior officers equivalent to colonels, focusing on advanced themes in defence strategy, , and organizational ; the 2023 iteration, for instance, integrated tri-service perspectives with input from 29 Indian and 12 international participants. The two-week Defence Management Course (DMC) targets mid-level officers, delivering intensive modules on and ; DMC-20, concluding on July 22, 2025, equipped participants from the , , and with tools for enhanced military . Additional short-duration offerings include the Management Development Programme on Operations Research and System Analysis (MDP-ORSA), a focused initiative on analytical techniques for defence planning, with sessions commencing January 10, 2025, at the Secunderabad campus. Specialized week-long programs, such as the leadership enhancement course from September 8 to 13, 2025, involving 22 mid-level tri-service officers, underscore diplomatic and strategic management skills amid evolving security environments. These courses collectively train over 500 officers annually, fostering adaptability in joint operations and resource allocation. CDM maintains key academic affiliations to bolster its credentialing, notably with , Hyderabad, which awards Masters in Management Studies (MMS) and (PhD) degrees integrated into eligible programs, as formalized through ongoing administrative processes like fee remittances for the two-year MMS track. The institution also holds professional memberships with the All Management Association and Associates of India, aligning its curricula with national standards in management practices. Furthermore, CDM has received NAAC accreditation with an A+ grade (CGPA 3.51), validating its as of the 2022 assessment. These ties enhance the credibility and interoperability of CDM's outputs with civilian and international defence frameworks.

Departments and Research

Behavioural Sciences and Leadership

The Faculty of Strategic and Behavioural Sciences at the College of Defence Management focuses on equipping senior defence officers with insights into , organizational dynamics, and principles to enhance and managerial effectiveness in military contexts. This faculty integrates into core curricula, emphasizing how individual and group interactions influence organizational performance, , and . Training modules address strategic initiatives such as organizational transformation and fostering adaptive styles suited to evolving defence challenges. Key programs under this faculty include components of the Higher Defence Course (HDMC), a one-year flagship program for select officers of // rank and equivalent, where primers explore through the lens of choices and systemic organizational components. Development Programmes (MDPs) on Organisational Behaviour, typically spanning 4-6 days, delve into the academic study of individual and group interactions within organizations, aiming to build skills for handling complex interpersonal dynamics in tri-service environments. These efforts align with CDM's mandate to develop contemporary skills, drawing on empirical models of behaviour to support objectives. The faculty contributes to research and consultancy in areas like personnel motivation, team cohesion, and ethical leadership, often through seminars and applied studies that inform defence policy. For instance, it supports week-long leadership enhancement programs for mid-level officers, conducted under Headquarters guidance, focusing on preparing personnel for high-stakes roles amid geopolitical volatility as of 2025. Leadership training emphasizes causal factors in behaviour, such as motivational drivers and , grounded in verifiable organizational frameworks rather than unsubstantiated ideological approaches. Faculty heads, such as Brigadier Santosh Kumar Nair in documented proceedings up to 2023, oversee these initiatives, ensuring alignment with tri-service operational needs.

Resource and Decision Management

The Faculty of Resource Management at the College of Defence Management trains officers from the , Navy, and in efficient allocation and utilization of defense resources, including budgeting, financial planning, , and strategies tailored to military operations. This training addresses the complexities of resource constraints in contexts, emphasizing cost-benefit analysis and sustainable to support operational readiness. Modules integrate practical case studies from Indian defense scenarios, such as exercises and deployments, to develop skills in prioritizing expenditures amid fiscal limitations imposed by budgets. Complementing resource-focused instruction, the Faculty of Decision Sciences imparts quantitative and analytical tools for informed decision-making, including , , modeling, and data-driven forecasting. Officers learn to apply methodologies like , , and to evaluate strategic options, such as force deployment or equipment acquisition, reducing subjectivity in high-stakes environments. Specialized programs, such as the Management Development Programme on and (MDP ORSA) conducted in January-February 2025, cover syllabi on optimization techniques and decision support systems to enhance commanders' advisory capabilities. Key offerings include the Joint Resource Management Course (JRMC), a two-week intensive program like JRMC-17 in January 2025, which equips mid-level officers to advise on resource optimization using scientific tools, integrating elements from both faculties. These courses, embedded within flagship programs like the Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC), promote outcome-oriented approaches over process-driven ones, fostering integration of resource data with decision models for improved defense efficiency. Research and consultancy in this domain involve applying decision sciences to real-world defense challenges, such as for and resource forecasting under uncertainty, often disseminated through seminars and publications. This work supports broader tri-service integration by providing evidence-based recommendations to the , prioritizing empirical outcomes over theoretical constructs.

Research, Consultancy, and Personnel Functions

The College of Defence Management (CDM) undertakes in defence management domains, including , , system analysis, and human resource planning, to generate empirical insights applicable to operations. This includes as a core component in courses like the Higher Defence Management Course, emphasizing quantitative techniques and data-driven problem-solving. The institution maintains a repository of 4,357 dissertations and 4,429 publications, serving as a for strategic in the armed forces. CDM's consultancy functions involve providing tailored management studies to resolve real-time challenges faced by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, such as logistical optimization and resource allocation. Operated through the Faculty of Research & Consultancy, these services support tri-service integration and policy formulation, with outputs informing operational enhancements. For example, the faculty contributes to seminars like the 2024 Annual Seminar on "Viksit Bharat @ 2047: Envisioning Economy, Society and Security," which fosters applied research discussions. Personnel functions at CDM emphasize tailored to defence contexts, training officers in areas like , , and manpower planning to address , retention, and performance issues in high-stakes environments. Courses such as the Management Development Programme in Organisational Behaviour equip participants with tools for HR system analysis and transformation. The college has facilitated events like a 2010 panel discussion on "HR Transformation in Armed Forces," highlighting causal factors in personnel efficacy amid evolving threats.

Operational Activities

Joint Training Exercises

The College of Defence Management, as a tri-service , integrates exercises into its operational activities to develop , strategic decision-making, and resource management skills among officers from the , , and Air Force. These exercises often employ simulations, war gaming, and scenario-based drills to replicate complex operational environments, enabling participants to practice coordinated responses to threats such as missions or resource-constrained operations. A prominent example is Exercise Aman Sena, a multinational conceptual exercise on peace support operations conducted at CDM, , from May 21 to 29, 2008. Inaugurated by F.H. Major, the exercise involved officers from multiple nations, focusing on in UN-mandated scenarios, including mandate interpretation, force deployment, and civilian-military coordination. It aimed to enhance collective understanding of challenges through tabletop simulations and discussions, marking one of the early international joint training initiatives hosted by the college. In addition to standalone events, CDM incorporates ongoing tri-service simulations within flagship courses like the Higher Defence Management Course, utilizing war gaming software and decision-support tools to train mid- to senior-level officers in joint operational planning and under simulated or conditions. These activities emphasize empirical assessment of command decisions, drawing on data-driven models to evaluate outcomes and refine doctrines for integrated force employment.

Seminars, Publications, and Outreach

The College of Defence Management conducts annual national seminars addressing key defence management challenges. The 2025 edition, held January 30-31 in , centered on "Developing Military Strategic Authenticity," convening tri-service officers and experts to explore and operational realities. Earlier, the 2024 seminar examined economic, societal, and interdependencies, with proceedings compiled for distribution among participants. These events foster discourse on , , and emerging threats, drawing from empirical case studies and first-hand military insights. The institution publishes Dūra Drishti: The Defence Journal, a tri-service periodical dedicated to advancing defence administration through scholarly articles on , , and ; it began with volume 11, issue 2 in December 2011. Previously associated with the Institute of Defence Management (its precursor), the journal evolved under CDM to emphasize practical applications, including analyses of fiscal constraints and technological integration in armed forces. Complementary materials, such as primers on for courses like HDMC, are produced internally for instructional use, often referencing verifiable scenarios from global conflicts. Outreach extends through targeted programs and engagements beyond core training, including management development initiatives like the week-long Organizational Behaviour module in September 2024, aimed at enhancing skills for defence personnel. International exchanges, such as the February 2024 visit by an HDMC delegation to the Defence Academy, promote cross-border knowledge sharing on higher defence studies. These activities prioritize causal linkages between policy, execution, and outcomes, avoiding unsubstantiated narratives in favor of data-driven evaluations.

Achievements and Impact

Academic and Institutional Milestones

The College of Defence Management (CDM) was inaugurated on July 7, 1970, as the Institute of Defence Management in , , under the auspices of India's , to impart specialized management training to senior officers of the armed forces. Its flagship Long Defence Management Course (LDMC) began in March 1971, initially enrolling 44 tri-service officers to address gaps in strategic and administrative skills amid India's expanding defence needs post-1960s conflicts. In April 1985, the institution was redesignated as the College of Defence to reflect its evolved role as a premier tri-service academic body focused on higher defence education. This transition aligned with broader institutionalization of military education in India, enabling expanded curricula in areas like resource optimization and decision sciences. By 2020, CDM commemorated its 50th anniversary, highlighted by a commemorative stamp issued by recognizing its enduring contributions to defence . Academically, CDM achieved (NAAC) 'A+' grade accreditation with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.51 in its second cycle, valid from April 11, 2021, following evaluations that affirmed its academic rigor and infrastructure for management training. It maintains affiliation with for degree conferral in its postgraduate programs, ensuring alignment with national higher education standards. Institutionally, CDM received the President's Colours—the highest ceremonial honor for units—on December 20, 2024, from President , acknowledging over five decades of more than 10,000 officers in , thereby enhancing operational efficiency across the , , and . This milestone underscores CDM's transition from a nascent to a cornerstone of India's defence professionalization, with cumulative alumni impact evidenced in key command and policy roles.

Contributions to Indian Defence Strategy

The College of Defence Management (CDM), established on July 7, 1970, as the Institute of Defence Management, has played a pivotal role in enhancing strategy by training over 10,000 senior officers in , thereby influencing policy formulation and execution. Its flagship Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC), a 10-month tri-service program, equips Brigadier-rank officers and equivalents with skills in , , and under uncertainty, directly supporting the integration of management principles into defence planning. This training emphasizes shifting from process-oriented to outcome-driven approaches, fostering adaptability in response to evolving threats like border tensions and technological disruptions. CDM's curriculum expanded in the 1970s and 1980s to incorporate , , and joint operations, preparing for roles in higher command that shape inter-service and resource optimization—key to India's post-2019 military reforms under the Staff. By 2024, this has contributed to architecture evolution, including enhanced budgetary strategies for in defence production amid rising allocations exceeding ₹6 crore annually. The institution's focus on tri-service integration aligns with policy directives for unified command structures, as evidenced by seminars on objectives and higher defence management delivered by figures like Staff General in 2025. Through research and consultancy, CDM has advanced causal understanding of defence and , informing strategies for ; for instance, its publications advocate for data-driven threat assessment and alliance-building in the context. Alumni, occupying senior positions across the , , and , have driven implementations like joint training doctrines and reforms, recognized in the awarding of President's Colours on December 20, 2024, for cultivating leaders capable of navigating geopolitical shifts. This institutional impact underscores CDM's empirical contribution to India's defence posture, prioritizing verifiable metrics over doctrinal inertia.

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