Who is the current Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India? Check Full List
General N.S. Raja Subramani took charge as India's new Chief of Defence Staff on 31 May 2026. He is the third Chief of Defence Staff, after General Bipin Rawat and General Chauhan. Read to know more details and the full list of the Chief of Defence Staff of India.
General N.S. Raja Subramani took charge as India's new Chief of Defence Staff on 31 May 2026. He is the third Chief of Defence Staff, after General Bipin Rawat and General Anil Chauhan. General N.S. Raja succeeds General Anil Chauhan, who completed his tenure on 30 May 2026.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is the highest-ranking military officer in the Indian Armed Forces. Since its creation in 2020, the office of CDS is held on a rotational basis by four-star officers nominated from any of three services. The CDS reports to the President of India, the Prime Minister of India, and the Minister of Defence.
Who is General N.S. Raja Subramani?
General N.S. Raja Subramani, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, is the third Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces. He is a four-star general officer of the Indian Army. He was commissioned into the 8th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles on 14 December 1985. Previously, he served as the Military Adviser to the National Security Council Secretariat. Prior to that, he served as the 47th Vice Chief of the Army Staff.
General N.S. Raja Subramani has also served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, as the Chief of Staff of the Northern Command and as General Officer Commanding II corps. He also served as General Officer Commanding Uttar Bharat area.
An alumnus of the 67th course of the National Defence Academy and the 77th course of the Indian Military Academy, General N.S. Raja Subramani also attended the Joint Services Command Staff College, New Delhi. He also studied at King's College London and has a Master of Arts degree from University of London and an MPhil in Defence Studies from University of Madras.
General N.S. Raja Subramani has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.
List of Chief of Defence Staff of India (2020 to 2026)
The office of Chief of Defence Staff was officially established on 1 January 2020. The office was vacant from 9 December 2021–29 September 2022 following General Bipin Rawat's death. Here is the list of Chief of Defence Staff of India from 2020 to date.
| Sr.No. | Name | Tenure | Service Branch | Preceding Office |
| 1 | General Bipin Rawat | 1 January 2020 - 8 December 2021 | Indian Army | Chief of the Army Staff (31 December 2016 – 31 December 2019) |
| 2 | General Anil Chauhan | 30 September 2022 - 30 May 2026 | Indian Army | General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command (1 September 2019 – 31 May 2021) |
| 3 | General N.S. Raja Subramani | 31 May 2026 - Incumbent | Indian Army | Vice Chief of the Army Staff (1 July 2024 - 31 July 2025) |
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