Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, May 9: Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani has been appointed as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India. He will also assume charge as Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs from the date he takes office.

The announcement was made ahead of the completion of the tenure of the current Chief of Defence Staff, Anil Chauhan, who is scheduled to retire on May 30, 2026.

Lt Gen Raja Subramani is regarded as one of the senior-most and most experienced officers in the Indian Army, having served in several key command and staff positions over the decades.

At present, he is serving as Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat. He assumed the role on September 1 last year.

Before taking up the current assignment, Lt Gen Raja Subramani served as Vice Chief of the Army Staff from July 2024 to July 2025, where he handled several important operational and strategic matters related to national security and defence preparedness.

He also held the position of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Army’s Central Command from March 2023 to June 2024.

During his distinguished military career, Lt Gen Raja Subramani has received several prestigious honours, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Sena Medal (SM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).

Apart from his operational experience, he is also known for his academic and strategic expertise in defence matters. He holds a Master’s degree from King's College London and completed an MPhil in Defence Studies from University of Madras.