General Anil Chauhan Concludes Illustrious Four-Decade Military Career as Chief of Defence Staff
General Anil Chauhan, serving as India's second Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs, concluded his extended service today, marking the end of a military career that spanned over 40 years. In the national capital, he received a ceremonial Tri-Services Guard of Honour and laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, paying homage to the nation's fallen soldiers before bidding farewell to his fellow service members.
In his farewell address, General Chauhan reflected on his tenure, describing it as "very satisfying and excellent." He remarked, "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 his satisfaction with the advancements made in fostering jointness and integration among the military services and expressed a desire to share his experiences with future military leaders.
Born on May 18, 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 June 13, 1981, from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. Throughout his career, he held numerous command, staff, and instructional appointments, showcasing both operational expertise and strategic foresight.
Among his early roles were an instructional tenure at Headquarters IMTRAT in Bhutan, service as a Military Observer with the United Nations Mission in Angola, and serving in key staff positions 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 January 1, 2014, he led the 19th Infantry Division in the strategically significant Baramulla sector of Northern Command. Rising to Lieutenant General in July 2016, he commanded III Corps in Dimapur from January 2017 to January 2018. As Director General Military Operations from January 2018 to August 2019, he managed the planning and execution of the Balakot airstrike in February 2019 and Operation Sunrise, a coordinated counter-insurgency effort with Myanmar. From September 2019 until his retirement from the Indian Army on May 31, 2021, he served as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command.
After retirement, General Chauhan continued to serve as Military Adviser to the National Security Council Secretariat. He was called back from retirement on September 28, 2022, to become the Chief of Defence Staff, officially taking office on September 30, 2022. He became the first three-star officer to assume this position, traditionally held by four-star officers, following the tragic loss of India’s first CDS, General Bipin Rawat, in a helicopter crash in December 2021.
During his tenure as CDS, nearly spanning four years, General Chauhan significantly contributed to the Government of India’s military transformation initiatives. His notable achievements included the release of India’s first Joint Air Defence Doctrine, the establishment of a Tri-Services Telephone Directory for improved inter-service communication, and progress in forming integrated theatre commands under Operation Tiranga. He emphasized jointness, self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, and the integration of new technologies into defence strategies, facilitating consensus on long-standing structural reforms among the three services.
In recognition of his distinguished service, General Chauhan received several awards, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2020), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (2018), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2015), Sena Medal (2014), and Vishisht Seva Medal (2011), alongside various campaign and long-service medals.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet extended his tenure on September 24, 2025, until May 30, 2026, to maintain momentum in critical defence reforms. Today marks the conclusion of his extended service period.
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 positions such as 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 take office shortly, ensuring a smooth transition in the leadership of India’s armed forces.
General Chauhan, married to artist Anupama Chauhan and father to Pragya, departs with a legacy characterized by quiet professionalism, operational excellence, and a commitment to integrating India’s military capabilities. As he embarks on the next chapter of life, the Ministry of Defence, the three services, and the nation express their deep gratitude for his dedicated service to the security and sovereignty of the Republic.
