A major change in leadership has begun in the Indian Armed Forces. General NS Raja Subramani has taken charge as the country’s next Chief of Defense Staff (CDS). With decades of experience in operations and command, General N.K. General Anil Chauhan will be replaced by Raja Subramani.
The country’s CDS serves as the chief military advisor to the government and plays an important role in enhancing coordination and integration between the Army, Navy and Air Force.
After taking charge as the new Chief of Defense General N.K. Raja Subramani expressed gratitude for the confidence the country has placed in the armed forces. “I am very honored to take over as the Chief of Defence. We are grateful for the trust the nation has placed in the armed forces. We—the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Ministry of Defence, strategic institutions and all stakeholders—stand together as part of a holistic national vision to strengthen India’s security.”
“We are committed to implementing our Prime Minister’s vision of ‘JAI’ – Jointness, Self Reliance and Innovation. Our main objective will be to transform the Armed Forces and bring about organizational reforms to enhance coordination, mutual cooperation and integration. We will further accelerate the process of development, consolidation and integration of our armed forces into our central forces. National security.”
The post of CDS, created in 2019 on the recommendation of the Kargil Review Committee, was initially held by General Bipin Rawat. The post was introduced to strengthen coordination between the three services and enhance the nation’s military readiness through coordinated planning and operations.
General N.S. Raja Subramani was serving as Military Advisor to the National Security Council Secretariat from 1 September, having previously served as Vice Chief of Army Staff from 1 July 2024 to 31 July 2025 and General Officer Commanding in Chief of the Central Command from March to June 2023.
Subramani is an alumnus of National Defense Academy and Indian Military Academy. He was commissioned into the 8th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles on December 14, 1985. He is also an alumnus of Joint Services Command and Staff College, UK and National Defense College, New Delhi. He holds a Master’s degree from King’s College, London and an M.Phil in Defense Studies from the University of Madras. Degree in Physics.
In the career of more than four decades, Lt.-General Dr. Raja Subramani has served in various conflict zones and regions and has held many key positions in command, staff and training.
He commanded the 16th Garhwal Rifles during the anti-terrorist operation in Assam under Operation Rhino. He led 168 Infantry Brigade in Jammu and Kashmir and 17 Mountain Division in the Central Sector under very challenging and complex conditions. He also commanded the Strike Corps 2 Corps, the main offensive force of the Indian Army in the Western Region.
