Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (Retd) Named Chief of Defence Staff

Lt Gen N S Raja Subramani (Retd) appointed Chief of Defence Staff

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Asked by UPSCPrelims 20241 PYQ

UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.

Prelims 2024What are the duties of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as Head of the Department of Military Affairs ?Solve with answer

Battle Brief

The Government appointed Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani (Retd) as Chief of Defence Staff on 9 May 2026. He will also be Secretary, Department of Military Affairs. General Anil Chauhan completes his tenure on 30 May 2026. Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan was named the next Chief of the Naval Staff, as Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi retires on 31 May 2026.

Fact File

New CDS: Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (Retd)
Dual role: CDS and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs
Outgoing CDS: Gen Anil Chauhan; tenure ends 30 May 2026
CDS last post: Military Adviser, NSCS (from 1 September 2025); earlier Vice Chief of Army Staff
New Navy Chief: Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan
Outgoing CNS: Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi; retires 31 May 2026

In the news

The new CDS and Navy Chief appointments: what happened?

The CDS is the top military adviser and also runs the Department of Military Affairs. Both the CDS and the Navy chief change at the end of May 2026.

The CDS-designate was commissioned into 8 Garhwal Rifles on 14 December 1985 and has commanded 2 Corps.
The Navy Chief-designate is a Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist and has commanded INS Vikramaditya; he was Vice Chief of the Naval Staff before Western Naval Command.

Back Story

What does the CDS do?

The Chief of Defence Staff also functions as Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Military Affairs. UPSC asked about these duties in 2024.

Why examiners care

Why does the new CDS and Navy Chief appointments matter?

Defence: Leadership change in jointness and the Navy.
Governance: CDS heads the Department of Military Affairs.

Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on the new CDS and Navy Chief appointments?

New CDS: Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (Retd); also Secretary, DMA.
Next Navy Chief: Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Internal security challenges

As per PIB (2026-05-09): lt Gen N S Raja Subramani (Retd) was appointed CDS and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, succeeding Gen Anil Chauhan.
Jointness among the services is the step before theatre commands.

Quotable data point
Lt Gen N S Raja Subramani (Retd) was appointed CDS and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, succeeding Gen Anil Chauhan.
PIB: Defence: CDS appointment, 9 May 2026

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

The Chief of Defence Staff also functions as Secretary of the

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB (Defence), 9 May 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

Who is the new Chief of Defence Staff?

Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (Retd), appointed on 9 May 2026.

What other post does the CDS hold?

Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Military Affairs.

Who is the next Chief of the Naval Staff?

Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan.