General Anil Chauhan’s term as CDS is due to end on May 30, and Lieutenant General N.S. Raja Subramani has been nominated by the Centre to succeed him.
From the date of his assumption of duty until further instructions, Lieutenant General Raja Subramani will not only lead the country’s military but also act as Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Military Affairs.
Lt Gen Raja Subramani has been a highly decorated officer for almost forty years, and the appointment was announced by the Ministry of Defence.
Lieutenant General Raja Subramani has been the Military Advisor in the Secretariat of the National Security Council since September 2025. He is a highly decorated officer with a remarkable career spanning more than four decades. His previous experience includes leading important operational units on the Western and Northern fronts, as well as serving as Vice Chief of the Army Staff and GOC-in-C, Central Command, according to the Ministry of Defence.
After enlisting in the Garhwal Rifles in December 1985, Lieutenant General Raja Subramani embarked on his military career at the National Defence Academy. Through a series of influential posts in the Army and the Department of Defence, he amassed a substantial operational and strategic profile over the years.
He went to the Joint Services Command Staff College in Bracknell, UK, and then came back to India to become the mountain brigade’s new major. New Delhi’s National Defence College was his subsequent educational stop.
Additionally, the officer has an outstanding record of academic achievement. Both King’s College London and Madras University awarded him Master of Philosophy degrees in defence studies.
Lt Gen Subramani operated in a wide range of operating conditions and war zones throughout his extensive military career, which lasted over 35 years. During his time in the Indian Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan, he served as the country’s defence attaché, representing India abroad.
After holding the position of Colonel General Staff (Operations) at Headquarters Eastern Command, he moved on to serve as Assistant Military Secretary in the Military Secretary’s branch at Army Headquarters. Deputy Sector Commander of the Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu & Kashmir was his posting.
He was given leadership of the 168 Infantry Brigade in Samba, a sector of critical strategic importance, after being raised to the rank of brigadier. He went on to hold the positions of Brigadier General Staff (Operations) at Eastern Command and Deputy Director General of Military Intelligence (DDGMI) at Army Headquarters.
After Lieutenant General Yogendra Dimri’s superannuation in 2023, he succeeded Dimri and took over as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command. He was appointed the 47th Vice Chief of the Army Staff a year down the road.
Upon leaving active duty, Lt. Gen. Raja Subramani was designated as the Military Advisor in the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). He remained in this position until he was chosen as the next CDS.
Lt Gen Raja Subramani has been honoured with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Sena Medal (SM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for his outstanding contributions to national security and military duty.
Image Credit: India Today
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