<Tr> <Th> First holder </Th> <Td> General Rajendrasinhji Jadeja </Td> </Tr> <P> The Chief of the Army Staff is the commander and usually the highest - ranking officer of the Indian Army . The position is abbreviated as COAS in Indian Army, and usually held by a four - star officer in the rank of General . </P> <P> The current COAS is General Bipin Rawat, who took office on 31 December 2016 following the retirement of General Dalbir Singh . </P> <P> The office of the Chief of the Army Staff was created through The Commanders - In - Chief (Change in Designation) Act of the Indian Parliament in 1955 . It replaced the erstwhile office of the Commander - in - Chief, Army . The office is based at South Block of the Central Secretariat at Raisina Hill, New Delhi . </P>

Who is the present chief of army in india