New Delhi: The Government of India has appointed Lieutenant General (Retd.) N. S. Raja Subramani, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, as the country’s next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). He will succeed General Anil Chauhan, whose tenure concludes on May 30, 2026.
With this appointment, Raja Subramani will become India’s third Chief of Defence Staff and will also assume charge as Secretary, Department of Military Affairs (DMA) in the Ministry of Defence.
He is expected to take office by the end of May.
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan to Be New Navy Chief
In a parallel top-level military appointment, the Centre has named Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan as the next Chief of the Naval Staff, succeeding Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi.
Currently serving as the Western Naval Commander in Mumbai, he is scheduled to assume charge on May 31, 2026.
Who Is NS Raja Subramani?
Lieutenant General (Retd.) N. S. Raja Subramani is one of the Indian Army’s most decorated and experienced officers, with a military career spanning nearly four decades.
Born on July 21, 1968, and raised in Mumbai, Lt. Gen. Subramani is an alumnus of the NDA and IMA. He holds a Master’s from King’s College London and an M.Phil from the University of Madras, having also trained at elite military colleges in both the UK and New Delhi.
Early Education and Training
- Graduate of the National Defence Academy (NDA)
- Commissioned into the Garhwal Rifles in December 1985
- Attended the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Bracknell, UK
- Studied at the National Defence College, New Delhi
- Master’s degree from King’s College London
- M.Phil. in Defence Studies from University of Madras
Distinguished Military Career
Over more than 35 years of service, Raja Subramani held several critical command and staff appointments across operational, intelligence, and strategic domains.
Key Appointments
- Military Adviser, National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS)
- Vice Chief of the Army Staff (47th VCOAS)
- General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command
- Commander, II Corps (Kharga Corps)
- Commander, 17 Mountain Division
- Commander, 168 Infantry Brigade, Samba
- Deputy Director General of Military Intelligence (DDGMI)
- Defence Attaché at the Embassy of India in Astana
- Colonel General Staff (Operations), Eastern Command
- Deputy Commander, Rashtriya Rifles Sector in Jammu and Kashmir
Awards and Decorations
For his distinguished service, Raja Subramani has been awarded:
- Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM)
- Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM)
- Sena Medal (SM)
- Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM)
What Does the Chief of Defence Staff Do?
The Chief of Defence Staff is India’s senior-most military officer responsible for promoting jointness and coordination among the:
- Indian Army
- Indian Navy
- Indian Air Force
The CDS also serves as:
- Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC)
- Secretary, Department of Military Affairs (DMA)
The post was created in December 2019, and Bipin Rawat became India’s first CDS.
The CDS advises the government on:
- Joint military strategy
- Defence procurement
- Logistics integration
- Cyber and space warfare
- Strategic planning, including the Nuclear Command Authority
Difference Between CDS and Service Chiefs
While the CDS is the principal coordinator among the three armed services, operational command remains with the respective chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The CDS does not directly command troops; instead, the role focuses on integration, long-term planning, and strategic advice to the government.
