College of Defence Management trains future military leaders in strategic, diplomatic, management skills
On December 20, the College of Defence Management (CDM), Secunderabad, was awarded the President’s Colours, the highest honour that recognises an Armed Forces institution’s contribution and service to the nation.
Presenting the Colours, the President of India Droupadi Murmu said that this occasion reflects the significant role that the college plays in developing the strategic leaders of our Armed Forces for future.
Stating that this institute imparts knowledge and skills to the officers for effective decision-making, the President, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said that CDM functions with a vision to provide solutions to current and future challenges faced by the Indian Armed Forces and plays a crucial role in preparing leaders for integrated operations.
She also observed that over the past five decades, apart from training Indian officers, hundreds of senior officers from friendly foreign nations have also been trained here which helps in further strengthening India’s diplomatic and military partnerships and increasing defence exports.
History
Established in July 1970 at Secunderabad with Brigadier V Dhruva as the first Commandant, the tri-service CDM was founded with a singular purpose—to address the emerging need for skilling senior military leaders not only in combat operations but also make them adept in the managerial and strategic planning aspects of modern warfare. It was formally inaugurated on December 8, 1970, by the then Vice President of India VV Giri.
The idea of establishing a dedicated institution to train officers in management and strategic leadership was conceived in the late 1960s, a period marked by complex national security challenges in the aftermath of the 1962 and 1965 wars.
The Indo-Pak War of 1965 highlighted the need for military commanders to be equipped with higher defence management competencies, develop strategic perspective, superior resource management and operational art for optimal synergy and effectiveness.
The college started the Long Defence Management Course (LDMC) in March 1971 with 44 students. In June 1973, it began conducting training capsules at other institutions. In November 1973, Major Baharuddin BK Che Din from the Malaysian Army became the first foreign participant in the LDMC.
In the early years, CDM focused on administrative and logistical aspects of warfare. The scope of CDM’s training began to expand in the 1970s and 1980s with integration of leadership development, strategic planning, decision sciences and organisational theory into its curriculum to meet the requirements of wider competencies for the modern military leadership.
Expansion and growth
In the 1990s, with the Indian Armed Forces undergoing a transformation and India increasingly engaged in global affairs, its military leaders needed to be equipped not only with military expertise but also with an understanding of international relations, macro-economic policies, and the broader strategic landscape.
This called for further broadening the curriculum and in August 1994, Osmania University, Hyderabad, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the college, recognising the core programme as equivalent to a post-graduate degree course in Management Studies, and awarding the degree of Master of Management Studies to its participants.
The course was designed to prepare selected senior officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force for the strategic challenges they would face at higher levels of command. It included modules on leadership, strategic management, resource allocation and international relations.
During this phase, CDM also introduced various other short-term courses and seminars focused on contemporary aspects of modern warfare, such as information warfare, cyber security, and defence economics.
Challenges in 21st century
The 21st century brought a new set of challenges, requiring even more specialised knowledge and a broader scope of expertise. Globalisation, technological advancements and the increasing prevalence of non-traditional security threats in multiple domains necessitated a shift in military education, calling for CDM to expand its curriculum to include emerging technologies like big data analytics, data-based decision making, artificial intelligence in warfare, integrated defence policy analysis, and conflict resolution.
One of the significant developments in the recent past was the increasing integration of civilian academic disciplines into the military curriculum. CDM developed partnerships with reputed civilian institutions, business schools and international defence institutions to ensure that its officers are not only well-versed in military strategies but are exposed to the best practices of corporate management, financial management and international diplomacy.
Additionally, CDM’s emphasis on international collaboration has reached new heights in the last five years. Over the past few years, the institution has been engaging more actively in international defence and management forums, hosting seminars and symposia on global security issues, enabling it to position itself as a thought leader in defence management education and gain eminence worldwide.
Presently headed by an officer of the rank of Major General or equivalent, CDM today offers a range of academic programs, including the flagship Higher Defence Management Course, the Senior Defence Management Course and various specialised short-term courses on allied subjects.
It has evolved from military logistics management and administration training to that of developing comprehensive strategic expertise and serves as a bedrock for the development of military leadership and management skills in the Indian Armed Forces.
Its courses are regarded as critical in preparing officers for senior roles not only in the Indian Armed Forces but also in formulation of national security policy and international cooperation. The contemporary curriculum at CDM places a strong emphasis on emerging security challenges, including cyber threats, artificial intelligence, and the globalisation of defence supply chains.
