General Anil Chauhan, the second Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, today concluded his extended tenure, marking the end of a distinguished military career spanning more than four decades. The four-star general received a ceremonial Tri-Services Guard of Honour in the national capital and laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, paying solemn tribute to the nation’s fallen heroes before bidding farewell to his comrades in uniform.
In his farewell remarks, General Chauhan described his tenure as “very satisfying and excellent.” He stated, “With the conclusion of the Guard of Honour, I bid farewell to my colleagues in uniform, comrades in arms forever. I just laid the wreath at the National War Memorial.” He expressed deep contentment with the progress achieved in fostering jointness and integration among the three services and conveyed his desire to share his experience with the next generation of military leaders.
Born on 18 May 1961 in Gawana village, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand, into a Hindu Garhwali Rajput family of the Chauhan clan, General Chauhan was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the 6th Battalion of the 11th Gorkha Rifles on 13 June 1981 from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. Over the subsequent four decades, he held a wide array of command, staff, and instructional appointments that reflected both operational acumen and strategic vision.
His early career included an instructional tenure at Headquarters IMTRAT in Bhutan, service as a Military Observer with the United Nations Mission in Angola, and key staff roles such as General Staff Officer Grade 1 (Operations) of a Mountain Division, Director of Perspective and Planning (TAS) at Army Headquarters, Chief of Staff at Headquarters 15 Corps, and Director General of Discipline, Ceremonial and Welfare.
Promoted to Major General on 1 January 2014, he commanded the 19th Infantry Division in the strategically vital Baramulla sector of Northern Command. Elevated to Lieutenant General in July 2016, he assumed command of III Corps in Dimapur from January 2017 to January 2018. As Director General Military Operations from January 2018 to August 2019, he oversaw the planning and successful execution of the Balakot airstrike in February 2019 and Operation Sunrise, a coordinated counter-insurgency operation with Myanmar forces. From September 2019 until his superannuation from the Indian Army on 31 May 2021, he served as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command.
Following retirement, General Chauhan continued to contribute to national security as Military Adviser to the National Security Council Secretariat. On 28 September 2022, he was recalled from retirement and appointed the Chief of Defence Staff, assuming office on 30 September 2022. He became the first three-star officer to hold the position, which had traditionally been held by serving four-star officers. His appointment followed the tragic death of India’s first CDS, General Bipin Rawat, in a helicopter crash in December 2021.
During his nearly four-year tenure as CDS, General Chauhan played a pivotal role in advancing the Government of India’s vision of military transformation. Notable achievements include the release of India’s first Joint Air Defence Doctrine, the launch of a Tri-Services Telephone Directory to enhance inter-service communication, and substantial progress on the creation of integrated theatre commands under the framework of Operation Tiranga. He consistently emphasised the imperatives of jointness, self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, and the integration of emerging technologies into defence planning. His leadership facilitated greater consensus among the three services on long-pending structural reforms.
In recognition of his exemplary service, General Chauhan was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2020), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (2018), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2015), Sena Medal (2014), and Vishisht Seva Medal (2011), among other campaign and long-service medals.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet had extended his tenure on 24 September 2025 until 30 May 2026 to ensure continuity in critical defence reforms. Today marks the completion of that extended service.
Lieutenant General N.S. Raja Subramani (Retired), PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, who has served as Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat since September 2025 and previously held the appointments of Vice Chief of the Army Staff and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of a command, has been appointed as the next Chief of Defence Staff. He is expected to assume office shortly, ensuring a smooth and seamless transition in the leadership of India’s armed forces.
General Chauhan, married to artist Anupama Chauhan and father to Pragya, leaves behind a legacy defined by quiet professionalism, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to the integration of India’s military capabilities. As he steps into the next phase of his life, the Ministry of Defence, the three services, and the nation extend their profound gratitude for his decades of dedicated service to the security and sovereignty of the Republic.
