New Delhi, May 31: General N.S. Raja Subramani officially assumed the role of India’s third Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) on Sunday, May 31. Following his appointment, he received a formal guard of honor at South Block. A senior officer of the Garhwal Regiment, he succeeds General Anil Chauhan, who retired after completing his term on May 30.
Upon taking office, General Subramani emphasized that his leadership will prioritize ‘Jai’, which stands for Jointness, Self-reliance, and Innovation. He stated that enhancing coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force to strengthen national security will be among his top priorities. General Subramani expressed his honor and pride in taking on the responsibilities of the CDS and thanked the citizens for their trust in the armed forces.
He mentioned that the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Ministry of Defense, strategic institutions, and all stakeholders will work together under a ‘nation-wide perspective’ to bolster India’s security. He reiterated his commitment to advancing the Prime Minister’s ‘Jai’ vision. The CDS indicated that unity, coordination, and integration within the armed forces will be propelled through reforms and organizational changes.
According to him, sharing resources, technology, and strategies among the three services is crucial to address future battlefield challenges. General Subramani highlighted self-reliance as a central pillar of national security, stating that the development, production, and effective integration of indigenous defense systems will be accelerated. He stressed the need for India to lead in creating modern and cutting-edge indigenous weapon systems while reducing foreign dependence in the defense sector.
Preceding his retirement, General Anil Chauhan played a vital role in advancing military reforms and initiatives like theater command during his three-and-a-half-year tenure. On his retirement, he paid tribute to the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation at the National War Memorial. Before this, Lieutenant General N.S. Raja Subramani served as a military advisor at the National Security Council Secretariat from September 1, 2025, and held the position of Deputy Chief of Army Staff from July 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. He was also the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command from March 2023 to June 2024. A graduate of the National Defense Academy and the Indian Military Academy, he was commissioned into the 8th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles on December 14, 1985. He is an alumnus of the Joint Services Command and Staff College in the United Kingdom and the National Defense College in New Delhi. He holds a Master of Arts from King’s College, London, and an M.Phil. in Defense Studies from the University of Madras.
With over 40 years of distinguished service, Lieutenant General N.S. Raja Subramani has served in various conflict zones and geographical conditions, fulfilling numerous command, staff, and training responsibilities. He commanded the 16 Garhwal Rifles during counter-insurgency operations in Assam under Operation Rhino. Additionally, he led the 168 Infantry Brigade in Jammu and Kashmir and the 17 Mountain Division in challenging operational conditions in the Central Sector. He also had the honor of commanding the Indian Army’s premier strike corps, ‘II Corps’, stationed on the Western Front.
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