Who Is Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani? Meet The Officer Set To Become India's Next CDS After Anil Chauhan

Who Is Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani? Meet The Officer Set To Become India's Next CDS After Anil Chauhan Published By, Last Updated: May 31, 2026, 08:31 IST General NS Raja Subramani, a senior Army officer with decades of operational and command experience, will succeed General Anil Chauhan. General NS Raja Subramani set to assume charge as the country's next Chief of Defence Staff India’s armed forces are set to witness a major leadership transition, with General NS Raja Subramani set to assume charge as the country’s next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), while Admiral Krishna Swaminathan will take over as the new Chief of the Naval Staff. The appointments come following the retirement of General Anil Chauhan and Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on Saturday, marking a significant reshuffle at the highest levels of the military establishment. General NS Raja Subramani, a senior Army officer with decades of operational and command experience, will succeed General Anil Chauhan as the Chief of Defence Staff. The CDS serves as the principal military adviser to the government and plays a key role in promoting jointness and integration among the Army, Navy and Air Force. The post of CDS was created in 2019 following the recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee and was first held by General Bipin Rawat. The position was established to strengthen coordination among the three services and enhance the country’s military preparedness through integrated planning and operations. Meanwhile, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan will take charge as the next Navy chief, succeeding Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. A highly decorated officer, Swaminathan has held several important operational and staff appointments during his naval career and has been closely involved in shaping the force’s modernisation efforts. The change in command comes at a time when India is focusing on military modernisation, self-reliance in defence production and enhancing joint operational capabilities across the armed forces. Both appointments are expected to play a crucial role in guiding the country’s defence strategy amid evolving regional and global security challenges. With new leadership at the helm of two key military positions, attention will now turn to the priorities and reforms that the incoming chiefs pursue in the months ahead. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 31, 2026, 08:31 IST News india Who Is Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani? Meet The Officer Set To Become India's Next CDS After Anil Chauhan Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...