The government on Saturday appointed Lieutenant General N S Raja Subramani (Retd.) as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs in the Ministry of Defence (MoD), a role in which he is likely to carry forward the process of reorganising the country’s armed forces under an integrated theatre command structure, bringing with him more than four decades of military experience. 

Lt Gen Subramani (Retd.) will assume these positions with effect from the date he takes charge and will serve until further orders. The incumbent, CDS General Anil Chauhan, will complete his tenure on May 30, 2026.

Lt Gen Subramani (Retd.) is regarded as an expert on the military dynamics and operational requirements of both the western and northern borders, and has been serving as Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat since September 1, 2025. Prior to that, he served as Vice Chief of the Army Staff from July 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. He also served as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, from March 2023 to June 2024. 

He also commanded 2 Corps, the Indian Army’s premier strike corps on the western front. In addition, he has experience in counter-insurgency operations in both Assam and Jammu & Kashmir, mountain warfare, military intelligence, and military diplomacy, having served as Defence Attaché in Kazakhstan.