New Delhi: The Centre has appointed Lieutenant General N S Raja Subramani as India's new Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding General Anil Chauhan, who will complete his tenure on May 30. Subramani will also function as Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Military Affairs.

Subramani was commissioned into the Garhwal Rifles in December 1985 and has served over 35 years across a wide spectrum of conflicts and terrain profiles. He has held key positions including Vice Chief of the Army Staff and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Central Command. He holds a Master's degree from King's College, London, and an M Phil in Defence Studies from Madras University. For his distinguished service, he has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal.

In a separate announcement, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan has been appointed as the next Chief of Naval Staff, succeeding Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who completes his tenure on May 31. Swaminathan was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1987 and has commanded missile vessels, a guided missile destroyer, and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. He currently serves as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command and has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Sena Medal.

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