Kashmir Impulse Desk

New Delhi, May 31

General N S Raja Subramani assumed charge as India’s new Chief of Defence Staff on Sunday, outlining military transformation, integrated theatre commands and greater tri-services coordination as his top priorities.

He succeeded General Anil Chauhan, who demitted office on Saturday after completing his tenure as the country’s senior-most military commander.

Soon after taking charge, Gen Subramani said organisational reforms aimed at strengthening jointness among the armed forces would remain central to his agenda.

“Transformation of the armed forces and organisational reforms to enhance tri-services synergy and integration will be my primary focus,” he said in a brief statement.

He said the armed forces would also accelerate the development, induction and integration of indigenous weapon systems.

“We will accelerate the development, induction and integration of indigenous weapons in our armed forces,” he said.

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

Gen Subramani said the armed forces remained committed to safeguarding India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Our armed forces have consistently demonstrated professionalism and operational decisiveness in safeguarding our national interests,” he said. “I assure citizens of India that the armed forces will continue to serve the nation with dedication, courage, honour and professionalism.”

He said the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, the defence ministry and strategic institutions were aligned under a “whole of nation approach” to strengthen national 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 is expected to oversee the rollout of India’s long-pending military theatreisation plan, which seeks to restructure the three services into integrated commands for improved operational coordination.

Before his appointment, Gen Subramani was serving as Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat. He retired as Vice Chief of Army Staff on July 31 last year.

During a career spanning more than four decades, he held a range of command, staff and instructional appointments across diverse operational theatres.

He served as Vice Chief of the Army Staff from July 2024 to July 2025 and earlier headed the Army’s Central Command as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

Commissioned into the eighth battalion of the Garhwal Rifles in December 1985, Gen Subramani commanded units in counter-insurgency operations in Assam, formations in Jammu and Kashmir, and a mountain division in the central sector. He also commanded two corps, including a strike corps on the western front.

His previous assignments included Defence Attaché in Kazakhstan, Deputy Director General of Military Intelligence, Chief Instructor (Army) at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and Chief of Staff at Northern Command.

A graduate of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy, Gen Subramani is also an alumnus of the Joint Services Command and Staff College in the United Kingdom and the National Defence College in New Delhi.

He holds a Master’s degree from King’s College London and an MPhil in Defence Studies from University of Madras.

For distinguished service, he has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.