Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani (Retd) appointed as Chief of Defence Staff

The Government of India has officially appointed Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). In this role, he will also function as the Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Military Affairs (DMA).

The appointment will take effect from the date he assumes charge. The outgoing CDS, General Anil Chauhan, is scheduled to complete his tenure on May 30, 2026. 

An Illustrious 40-Year Career

Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani brings over four decades of highly distinguished military service, having operated across a vast spectrum of terrain profiles and conflict zones.

His prominent command appointments include:

• 16 Garhwal Rifles: Commanded during counter-insurgency operations in Assam as part of Operation Rhino.
• 168 Infantry Brigade: Commanded in Jammu & Kashmir under challenging operational conditions.
• 17 Mountain Division: Commanded in the Central Sector.
• 2 Corps: Commanded the premier strike Corps of the Indian Army on the Western Front.

Role and Responsibilities of the CDS

As the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Subramani will take on pivotal responsibilities within India’s military leadership structure:

• Dual Role: Head of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) and the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.
• Principal Advisor: Acts as the Principal Military Adviser to the Defence Minister on all tri-Services matters. (Note: The three individual Service Chiefs will continue to advise the Defence Minister on matters exclusive to their respective services).

Command Neutrality: To ensure completely impartial advice to the political leadership, the CDS does not exercise any direct military command, including over the three Service Chiefs.