The Government has appointed Vice Admiral DK Joshi, presently Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) Western Naval Command, as the next Chief of the Naval Staff with effect from afternoon of August 31, 2012. The present Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral NK Verma retires from service on Aug 31, 2012.

Lt Gen VK Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC, presently GOC-in-C, Eastern Command has been appointed the next Chief of the Army Staff in the rank of General with effect from the afternoon of March 31, 2010. The present COAS General Deepak Kapoor, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC retires from service on march 31, 2010.

The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Shiv Shankar Menon, IFS (Retd.) as the National Security Adviser from the date of assumption of charge and until further orders. The competent authority has also approved that during his tenure as National Security Advisor, Shri Shiv Shankar Menon will have the status of Minister of State.

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh will give away National Bravery Awards for 2009 to twenty one children on January 21, 2010. These children - 8 girls and 13 boys - have been selected by a high powered committee in recognition for their outstanding deeds of bravery and meritorious service. Two Awards will be given posthumously.

The President of India has approved the conferment of Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards – 2009 on the following persons :-