Lieutenant General N. S. Raja Subramani Appointed as New Chief of Defence Staff

The Government of India has appointed Lieutenant General N. S. Raja Subramani (Retd.) as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India. He will also serve as the Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Military Affairs (DMA). He succeeds General Anil Chauhan, whose tenure ends on 30 May 2026.

Key Highlights of the Appointment

Lieutenant General N. S. Raja Subramani has been appointed as India’s 3rd Chief of Defence Staff.

Along with CDS responsibilities, he will head the Department of Military Affairs as Secretary.

About Lieutenant General N. S. Raja Subramani:

Early Military Career

Commissioned into the Indian Army on 14 December 1985.

Belongs to the 8th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles Regiment.

Has over 37 years of military service experience.

Major Military Appointments:

Lieutenant General Raja Subramani has served in several important positions, including:

Vice Chief of the Army Staff (2024–2025)

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Central Command

Chief of Staff, Northern Command

General Officer Commanding (GOC), II Corps

Military Adviser at National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS)

Operational Experience

He has extensive operational experience in:

Jamm& Kashmir

Northeastern region

High-altitude warfare areas

Awards and Decorations

Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM): 2024

Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM): 2020

About the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS):

Creation of the Post

The post of CDS was created in December 2019 following recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee and subsequent defence reforms.

General Bipin Rawat became India’s first CDS in January 2020.

The CDS:

Acts as the principal military adviser to the Defence Minister.

Promotes coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA).

Oversees tri-services integration and theatre command reforms.

Rank and Tenure:

CDS is a four-star military officer.

Eligible officers can be serving or retired officers below 62 years of age.

Previous Chiefs of Defence Staff in India

CDS: Tenure

General Bipin Rawat: 2020–2021

General Anil Chauhan: 2022–2026

Lt Gen N. S. Raja Subramani: From 2026

Static Facts:

Current Defence Minister: Rajnath Singh

First CDS of India: General Bipin Rawat

Current CDS till May 2026: General Anil Chauhan

New CDS of India: Lieutenant General N. S. Raja Subramani

Department of Military Affairs comes under the Ministry of Defence.

Important Defence Commands

Northern Command – Udhampur

Western Command – Chandimandir

Eastern Command – Kolkata

Central Command – Lucknow

Southern Command – Pune