General NS Raja Subramani takes charge as India’s new CDS:China-Pakistan expert set to lead implementation of Theatre Command model

General N S Raja Subramani on Sunday assumed charge as India’s new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), becoming the third officer to hold the country’s highest military post. He succeeds General Anil Chauhan, who retired on Saturday after nearly four years in office. Following the formal handover, General Subramani was accorded a Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawn in New Delhi. Addressing officials after taking charge, the new CDS said the Army, Navy, Air Force, Ministry of Defence and all related institutions would work together to further strengthen the country’s security architecture. He stated that self-reliance in defence production remains a key pillar of national security and said efforts to develop, procure and integrate indigenous military systems would be accelerated. “The process of development of indigenous weapons, their procurement and integration into the armed forces will be expedited to further strengthen India’s defence capabilities,” he said. Over 3 decades of military experience Commissioned into the Army through the Garhwal Rifles in December 1985, General Subramani received his initial military training at the National Defence Academy (NDA). He later attended the Joint Services Command and Staff College in Bracknell, United Kingdom. After returning to India, he served as Brigade Major in a Mountain Brigade and subsequently attended the National Defence College in New Delhi. He also holds a Master of Arts degree from King’s College London and an MPhil in Defence Studies from the University of Madras. General Subramani has held several key operational and strategic appointments during a military career spanning more than 35 years. Since September 2025, he has served as Military Adviser in the National Security Council Secretariat. Earlier, he was Vice Chief of the Army Staff from July 2024 to July 2025. His previous assignments include commanding the 168 Infantry Brigade in Samba, Jammu and Kashmir, and serving as Chief Instructor at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington. Decorated military officer General Subramani has been awarded some of the armed forces’ highest service honours, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Sena Medal (SM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM). What does the CDS do? The Chief of Defence Staff serves as the principal military adviser to the government and acts as a bridge between the armed forces and the political leadership. Unlike the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, the CDS does not exercise direct operational command over the three services. Operational control remains with the respective service chiefs. The CDS’s primary responsibility is to promote jointness among the armed forces, coordinate military planning and facilitate integration between the services and the government. Military deployment and operational decisions are taken by the respective services under the broader direction of the government and the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).