The Government has appointed Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, SM, VSM & Bar, as the next Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), placing the senior medical officer at the helm of the Armed Forces Medical Services.
Air Marshal Thareja, who is currently serving as Director General Medical Services (Air), will assume the appointment following the retirement of incumbent DGAFMS Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, on August 31, 2026.
As DGAFMS, Air Marshal Thareja will head the Armed Forces Medical Services, which provides comprehensive healthcare and medical support to personnel of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, as well as their families and other entitled beneficiaries.
An alumnus of the prestigious Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja was commissioned into the Armed Forces in December 1986. His career in military medicine has spanned nearly four decades and includes extensive experience in clinical medicine, academics, administration and operational healthcare.
He obtained his MD in Medicine in 1997 before pursuing super-specialisation in Gastroenterology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. He completed his DM in Gastroenterology in 2005 and was awarded the Best DM Student Award during his time at AIIMS.
Apart from his medical qualifications, Air Marshal Thareja has maintained a strong record in professional military education. He secured an ‘A’ grading in all his military courses and is also an alumnus of the National Defence College.
During his long career, the Air Marshal has held several important appointments within the Armed Forces Medical Services. These include Senior Consultant (Medicine) at the Office of the DGAFMS, Commandant of Military Hospital Pathankot, Commandant of Command Hospital Lucknow, and Director & Commandant of Armed Forces Medical College, Pune.
He subsequently took over as Director General Medical Services (Air), one of the senior-most medical appointments in the Indian Air Force.
During his tenure as DGMS (Air), Air Marshal Thareja spearheaded several initiatives aimed at strengthening operational medical preparedness. His work contributed to enhancing the Armed Forces Medical Services’ medical readiness for India’s ambitious Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Mission.
He also played an important role in the operationalisation of the BHISHM Cube, a portable modular medical facility designed to provide rapid emergency healthcare during military operations, disasters and humanitarian assistance missions.
Beyond his administrative and operational responsibilities, Air Marshal Thareja is an accomplished gastroenterologist, academician and medical teacher. He has guided numerous postgraduate and super-speciality students during his career.
His academic contributions include more than 50 scientific publications in reputed national and international medical journals.
In recognition of his distinguished military service and professional contributions, Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja has been decorated with the Sena Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal twice, earning the VSM & Bar.
His appointment as DGAFMS will place him in charge of the tri-service military medical establishment at a time when the Armed Forces are increasingly focusing on operational medical readiness, advanced healthcare technologies and medical support for emerging domains such as human spaceflight.
