The Government of India has appointed Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). He will also serve as the Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Military Affairs from the date he assumes charge.
He will succeed General Anil Chauhan, whose tenure as CDS will conclude on 30 May 2026.
Extensive Military Experience
- Before his appointment as CDS, Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani served as Military Adviser in the National Security Council Secretariat from 1 September 2025.
- Earlier, he held the position of Vice Chief of the Army Staff from July 2024 to July 2025. He also served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command between March 2023 and June 2024.
- Commissioned into the 8th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles on 14 December 1985, he has completed more than four decades of distinguished military service.
Educational Background
- Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy.
- He also attended the Joint Services Command and Staff College in Bracknell, United Kingdom, and the National Defence College.
- Academically, he holds a Master of Arts degree from King’s College London and an M.Phil in Defence Studies from University of Madras.
Key Command Appointments
During his military career, he served in a variety of operational environments and held several important command assignments.
He commanded:
- 16 Garhwal Rifles during counter-insurgency operations in Assam under Operation Rhino,
- 168 Infantry Brigade in Jammu and Kashmir,
- 17 Mountain Division in the Central Sector,
- and the prestigious 2 Corps, the Indian Army’s premier strike corps on the Western Front.
Important Staff and Instructional Roles
The General Officer also held several key staff and instructional appointments, including:
- Divisional Officer at the National Defence Academy,
- Defence Attaché in Kazakhstan,
- Deputy Director General of Military Intelligence,
- Chief Instructor (Army) at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington,
- and Chief of Staff at Headquarters Northern Command.
His extensive operational exposure has provided him deep expertise regarding India’s Western and Northern borders.
Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awards
For his exceptional service to the nation, Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani has been awarded:
- Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM),
- Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM),
- Sena Medal (SM),
- and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).
His appointment as CDS comes at a significant time as India continues to strengthen military integration, jointness among the armed forces, and strategic defence preparedness.