Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, May 9: The Central government has appointed lieutenant general N.S. Raja Subramani as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), succeeding general Anil Chauhan, whose tenure is scheduled to end on May 30.
In addition to taking over as the country’s top military officer, Lt Gen Subramani will also serve as the Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs in the Government of India from the date he assumes charge, until further orders.
The Ministry of Defence described him as a highly decorated officer with over four decades of service, noting his extensive operational and strategic experience across key military assignments.
At present, he is serving as Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) since September 2025. Prior to this, he held several senior leadership roles, including Vice Chief of the Army Staff and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Central Command. He has also commanded important formations along both the Western and Northern fronts.
Commissioned into the Indian Army in December 1985 through the National Defence Academy, he joined the Garhwal Rifles regiment. Over the years, he built a distinguished career marked by operational leadership and strategic responsibilities.
His professional military education includes the Joint Services Command and Staff College in Bracknell, United Kingdom, as well as the National Defence College in New Delhi. He also holds a Master’s degree from King’s College London and an M.Phil in Defence Studies from Madras University.
During his career spanning more than 35 years, he has served in multiple operational theatres, including conflict-prone regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, where he was posted as Deputy Commander of a Rashtriya Rifles sector.
He has also held key staff roles at Army Headquarters, including Assistant Military Secretary and Colonel General Staff (Operations) in Eastern Command. In intelligence and operational planning, he served as Deputy Director General of Military Intelligence.
As a Brigadier, he commanded the 168 Infantry Brigade in Samba, a strategically sensitive area. He later rose through senior ranks to become GOC-in-C of Central Command in 2023, and subsequently the 47th Vice Chief of the Army Staff in 2024.
Following his superannuation from active service, he was appointed Military Adviser at the NSCS, a role he held until his elevation to CDS.
For his distinguished service to the nation, Lt Gen Subramani has been awarded several high military honours, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Sena Medal (SM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).