Former President of India Pratibha Patil

The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. As in most democracies, the Indian Armed Forces are controlled by the elected political leadership of the Nation - The Government of India. Executive control is exercised sequentially through the Union Cabinet, the Defence Minister, the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) and the Chiefs of Army, Naval and Air Staff of their respective Services. The Ministry of Defence handles matters related to personnel, financial and resource management.