Lieutenant General N S Raja Subramani Appointed as India's New Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) The Indian government has appointed Lieutenant General (Retired) N S Raja Subramani as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the country, effective from 30 May 2026. This marks the end of the tenure of the incumbent CDS, General Anil Chauhan, whose term concludes on the same date. Subramani will assume the responsibilities of the CDS role, succeeding Chauhan and continuing to oversee the coordination between the three armed forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force—until further orders. The position of CDS was established in India in 2020 with the aim of streamlining decision-making processes across the military services. The role involves providing strategic advice to the government on defense matters, ensuring optimal utilization of resources, and shaping future defense preparedness. Subramani's extensive experience in the military, including leadership roles in key positions, positions him well for this critical responsibility. Subramani, currently serving as the Military Advisor to the National Security Council Secretariat, has held several high-profile appointments in his career. He served as Vice Chief of Army Staff from 1 July 2024 to 31 July 2025 and previously commanded the Central Command as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief from March 2023 to June 2024. His long-standing service in the Indian Army, coupled with his administrative and operational expertise, underscores his suitability for the CDS role. The CDS position carries the rank equivalent to a four-star general and comes with a monthly salary of approximately ₹2.5 lakh.#indian_army #central_command #national_security_council_secretariat #lieutenant_general_n_s_raja_subramani #chief_of_defence_staff
Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani Appointed New CDS Indian Army Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani has been appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India, succeeding Anil Chauhan whose tenure ends on 30 May. Subramani, a retired lieutenant general, will also assume the role of secretary to the Department of Defence. This marks his appointment as the third individual to hold the CDS position, following the establishment of the role in December 2019. Subramani, currently serving as a military advisor to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), retired from the Indian Army on 31 July 2025 after a 39-year career. His new appointment follows his tenure as Vice Chief of Army Staff, a role he held after serving in various high-profile commands. Concurrently, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan has been named the next Chief of Naval Staff, effective 31 May. Subramani's military career began in 1985 when he joined the Gorkha Rifles. He completed his training at the National Defence Academy (NDA) and later attended the Joint Services Command and Staff College in Britain. Upon returning to India, he served in the Mountain Brigade and later held key positions in Delhi's National Defence College. He holds advanced degrees in Arts from King's College, London, and Defence Studies from Madras University. Throughout his career, Subramani has commanded units in diverse regions, including Jammu and Kashmir, where he served as deputy commander of the National Rifles Sector. He also led the 168 Infantry Brigade in Samba, Jammu and Kashmir, and held roles in the Central Command and as Deputy Director General of Military Intelligence.#national_defence_academy #lt_gen_ns_raja_subramani #chief_defence_staff #joint_services_command_and_staff_college #national_security_council_secretariat
