Appointment of New Chief of Defence Staff and Focus on Military Reforms

PTI, May 31, 2026, New Delhi: Gen NS Raja Subramani, widely known as an expert on Pakistan and China, on Sunday took charge as India's new Chief of Defence Staff with a primary mandate to implement the ambitious military theatreisation plan and bolster tri-services synergy.

He succeeded Gen Anil Chauhan, who signed off after completing his tenure as the country's senior-most military commander on Saturday.

Gen Subramani was serving as the Military Advisor at the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). He retired as the Vice Chief of Army Staff on July 31 last year.

The military officer, shortly after taking charge, said transformation of the armed forces and organisational reforms to enhance tri-services synergy and integration will be his primary focus.

"We will accelerate the development, induction and integration of indigenous weapons in our armed forces," he said in a brief media statement.

"Our armed forces 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.

"I assure citizens of India that armed forces will continue to serve the nation with dedication, courage, honour and professionalism," he said.

Gen Subramani noted that he would work towards accelerating the development, induction and integration of indigenous weapon systems into the armed forces.

"Innovation in thought and action will drive our capability development. Greater collaboration between the military, the industry, academia, startups and the research ecosystem will be the key enabler for modernisation," he said.

The new Chief of Defence Staff said the Indian Army, the Navy, Air Force, the defence ministry, as well as the strategic institutions and all stakeholders, stand united as part of the "whole of nation approach" to strengthen India's security.

"We are committed to implementing the vision of our prime minister -- 'JAI' -- Jointness, Atma Nirbharta and Innovation," he said.

As Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Subramani's primary task will be to implement the theatreisation model by rolling out integrated military commands.

In his illustrious career spanning over 40 years, Gen Subramani served across a wide spectrum of conflict and terrain profiles and held a host of command, staff and instructional appointments.

He served as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff from July 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025, and was General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command from March 2023 till June 2024.

The officer is a graduate of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy.

He was commissioned into the eighth battalion of the Garhwal Rifles on December 14, 1985.

Gen Subramani is an alumnus of the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Bracknell (UK), and the National Defence College, New Delhi.