The Center has appointed Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (Retd) as India’s next Chief of Defense Staff to replace Anil Chauhan, whose tenure ends on 30 May.
According to an official statement, NS Raja Subramani completed his studies at the National Defense College, Delhi. He also received a Master of Arts from King’s College London and an MPhil in Defense Studies from the University of Madras.
Before that, he was Deputy Chief of Army Staff from July 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025, and Commander-in-Chief of the Central Command from March 2023 to June 2024.
During a distinguished military career spanning more than 35 years, he served in a wide variety of operational environments and conflict zones. His roles included serving as Defense Attaché at the Indian Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan.
As a colonel, he served as Assistant Military Secretary in the Office of the Military Secretary at Army Headquarters and later served as Colonel of the General Staff (Operations) at Eastern Command. He was the deputy sector commander of the Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir, the report said.
After being promoted to brigadier general, he commanded the 168 Infantry Brigade based in Samba.
NS Raja Subramani later served as Deputy Director General of Military Intelligence at Army Headquarters before being promoted as Brigadier General Staff (Operations) at Eastern Command.
In 2023, he assumed the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Central Command, succeeding Lt. Gen. Yogendra Dimri upon his retirement. The following year, he was appointed the 47th Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army. After leaving active duty, he served as Military Advisor to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) until his recent promotion.
In recognition of his exemplary service, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva, Ati Vishisht Seva, Sena and Vishisht Seva medals.
Meanwhile, Krishna Swaminathan, currently serving as the Western Naval Commander in Bombay, will take over as the next Indian Navy Chief on May 31. He is expected to remain in office until 31 December 2028.
It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1987 and specializes in communications and electronic warfare. His academic and professional training includes National Defense Academy in Khadakwasla, Joint Services Command and Staff College in Shrivenham (UK), College of Naval Warfare in Karanja and United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
