Gen N.S. Raja Subramani assumes charge
New Delhi: General N.S. Raja Subramani on Sunday assumed charge as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), succeeding General Anil Chauhan, who retired on May 30, and pledged to advance Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of JAI — Jointness, Atmanirbharta and Innovation — while safeguarding India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Before taking charge, Gen Subramani paid tributes to fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial and was accorded a Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns.
Addressing reporters, the new CDS said he was honoured to assume the country’s highest military post and thanked the nation for its trust in the Armed Forces.
“We, the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Ministry of Defence, strategic institutions and all stakeholders stand united as part of a whole-of-nation approach to strengthen India’s security,” he said.
Outlining his priorities, Gen Subramani said transformation of the armed forces through organisational reforms, greater jointness, synergy and integration would remain a key focus. He described self-reliance in defence as a central pillar of national security and said efforts would be intensified to develop, induct and integrate indigenous weapon systems.
He also stressed the importance of innovation, saying collaboration among the military, industry, academia, startups and the research ecosystem would be crucial for modernisation and capability development.
“Our Armed Forces have consistently demonstrated professionalism and operational decisiveness in safeguarding our national interests. We are committed to protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country,” he said.
The CDS paid tribute to his predecessors, late General Bipin Rawat and General Anil Chauhan, describing them as “illustrious predecessors” whose leadership and contributions had advanced the journey of military reforms.
He said the welfare and training of soldiers, sailors and air warriors would remain a priority and reaffirmed the armed forces’ commitment to veterans and Veer Naaris.
Along with assuming charge as CDS, Gen Subramani will also serve as Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Military Affairs until further orders.
The Ministry of Defence has described Gen Subramani as a highly decorated officer with over four decades of distinguished service. Prior to his appointment, he served as Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) since September 2025. He earlier held key positions including Vice Chief of the Army Staff and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command.
Commissioned into the Garhwal Rifles in December 1985 after graduating from the National Defence Academy, Gen Subramani has held several important operational and staff appointments. He attended the Joint Services Command and Staff College in Bracknell, United Kingdom, and later studied at the National Defence College in New Delhi.
During his career spanning more than 35 years, he served in various operational environments and conflict zones, including as Defence Attaché at the Indian Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan. He also served as Deputy Commander of a Rashtriya Rifles sector in Jammu and Kashmir, commanded the 168 Infantry Brigade in Samba, and held senior intelligence and operational appointments at Army Headquarters and Eastern Command.
In 2023, he took over as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Command, and in 2024 became the 47th Vice Chief of the Army Staff. Following his retirement from active military service, he was appointed Military Adviser at the NSCS before being named the country’s next CDS.
Gen Subramani holds a Master’s degree from King’s College London and an M.Phil in Defence Studies from Madras University. For his distinguished service, he has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Sena Medal (SM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).
