General NS Raja Subramani, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, assumed charge as the third Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs on May 31, 2026. He acknowledged the exemplary leadership and contribution of his predecessors and pledged to build upon their achievements. Expressing gratitude to the country for the trust reposed in the Defence Forces, General NS Raja Subramani asserted that they would work in unison with all stakeholders as part of the Whole-of-Nation approach to further strengthen national security. He emphasised that he would work towards enhancing jointness, integration and synergy in the Defence Forces and focus on accelerated development, induction and integration of indigenous weapons to achieve Aatmanirbharta.
The CDS called for innovation in thought & action and greater collaboration among all stakeholders to drive capability development and modernisation. He complimented the members of the Defence Forces on their professionalism & operational readiness and reiterated his commitment to their training, while ensuring welfare of veterans and Veer Naris. He urged all ranks to embrace change, uphold the military ethos and relentlessly strive towards achieving excellence in all spheres.
General NS Raja Subramani laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, New Delhi and paid homage to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in service to the nation. The CDS was also presented a Tri-Service Guard of Honour at the South Block lawns.
A highly decorated officer with over four decades of service, General Subramani was commissioned into the Garhwal Rifles in December 1985. His distinguished career includes a number of key Command and Staff appointments, including General Officer Commanding, 2 Corps, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command; and the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. Prior to assuming the appointment of CDS, he served as Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat.
