Desk Correspondent , New Delhi - The Union government has approved the appointment of Lieutenant General (Retd) NS Raja Subramani as India's next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs. He will succeed General Anil Chauhan and assume office on June 1 as the third CDS since the post's creation. Subramani, who retired after serving as the 47th Vice Chief of the Army Staff until July 2025, has been working as a military advisor at the National Security Council Secretariat since September.

Born on July 21, 1968, in Mumbai, Lt Gen Subramani was commissioned into the 8th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles in 1985 after training at the National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy. With nearly four decades of distinguished service, he has commanded key formations including the II Corps and 17 Mountain Division, and served as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Command. His extensive experience spans counter-insurgency operations in Assam under Operation Rhino, tenure as Defence Attaché in Kazakhstan, roles in Eastern Command and Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir, and staff positions at Army Headquarters. He also served as Chief of Staff in Northern Command, gaining deep insights into both Eastern and Northern borders.

A highly decorated officer, Subramani holds an MA in Defence Studies from Madras University and an MPhil from King's College London. His awards include the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Sena Medal (SM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM). His appointment is expected to strengthen tri-service integration and enhance India's military coordination amid evolving regional security challenges.