Who is Lt. General NS Raja Subramani, India's New Chief of Defence Staff

Udaipur, May 9, 2026: Lt. General NS Raja Subramani PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd) has been appointed the third Chief of Defence Staff of India. He will also function as the Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, Government of India. 

He is currently the MIlitary Advisor in the National Security Council Secretariat and previously also served as the Vice Chief of Army Staff. He will take over the reigns from General Anbil Chauhan who will conclude his term as Chief of Defence Staff on May 30, 2026, after a tenure of 3 years and 7 months.

About Lt Gen Subramani

A graduate of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Military Academy (IMA), Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani was commissioned into the 8th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles on December 14, 1985.

He is an alumnus of the Joint Services Command Staff College, Bracknell (UK), and the National Defence College, New Delhi. Academically, he holds a Master of Arts degree from King’s College London and an MPhil in Defence Studies from Madras University.

With a military career spanning over four decades, Lt Gen Subramani has held several key command, staff, and instructional roles across different terrains and operational environments.

He commanded the 16 Garhwal Rifles during counter-insurgency operations in Assam under Operation Rhino, led the 168 Infantry Brigade in Jammu & Kashmir, and headed the 17 Mountain Division in the Central Sector during critical operational deployments. He also commanded the prestigious 2 Corps, the Indian Army’s premier strike corps on the Western Front.

His staff assignments include roles at the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, Headquarters Eastern Command, Northern Command, and the Military Intelligence Directorate. He also served as Defence Attaché in Kazakhstan, adding strategic international experience to his portfolio.

For his distinguished military service, Lt Gen Subramani has been conferred with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Sena Medal (SM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).

What is the Role of Chief of Defence Staff

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in India is the highest-ranking military officer, serving as the principal advisor to the Defence Minister on tri-service matters and fostering operational synergy between the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The CDS heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) and acts as the permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, ensuring jointness in operations, logistics, and procurement. 

Source: PIB and Media Reports