Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja Appointed as Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services

New Delhi, August 1: The government has appointed Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, currently serving as the Director General of Medical Services (Air), as the new Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) effective from August 31, 2026. He will take over the position following the retirement of the current DGAFMS, Surgeon Vice Admiral Aarti Sareen, PVSM, AVSM, VSM.

A graduate of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune, Air Marshal Thareja was commissioned in December 1986. He earned his MD in Medicine in 1997 and a DM in Gastroenterology in 2005 from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, where he was awarded the Best DM Student award. A distinguished military professional, he has achieved ‘A’ grades in all military courses and is an alumnus of the National Defence College.

Throughout his nearly four-decade career, Air Marshal Thareja has made significant contributions to the clinical, academic, operational, and administrative domains of the Air Force Medical Services (AFMS). He has held several prestigious positions, including Senior Advisor (Medical) at the Directorate General of the Air Force, Commandant of the Military Hospital in Pathankot, Commandant of the Command Hospital in Lucknow, and Director and Commandant of the AFMC in Pune, along with serving as the Director General of Medical Services (Air).

As the Director General of Medical Services, Air Marshal Thareja has led transformative initiatives to enhance operational medical readiness. His efforts have strengthened the Air Force’s medical preparations for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, and he has also spearheaded the operation of the Bhishma Cube under the India Health Initiative for Cooperation, Welfare, and Friendship, significantly improving rapid medical response capabilities for operational and humanitarian missions.

An accomplished physician, academic, and educator, Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja has mentored numerous postgraduate and super-specialty students and is the author of over 50 scientific publications in prestigious national and international medical journals. In recognition of his exceptional services, he has been awarded the Army Medal and the Distinguished Service Medal (VSM and Bar) twice.