New CDS General NS Raja Subramani assumes office, outlines his priorities for the future
The country's new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General NS Raja Subramani, assumed office on Sunday.
General Subramani is the country's third CDS. He has succeeded General Anil Chauhan, who retired just this Saturday.
General Subramani served as a Military Advisor at the National Security Council Secretariat.
He retired from the post of Vice Chief of Army Staff on July 31 last year.
He served as the Vice Chief of Army Staff from July 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. From March 2023 to June 2024, he served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command.
Committed to implementing PM's vision of JAI
Upon taking charge, the new CDS expressed gratitude for the trust reposed in the armed forces and outlined his priorities for the future. He said strengthening jointness, synergy and integration among the Army, Navy and Air Force would remain a key focus area.
“I am honoured to take charge as the Chief of Defence Staff. We are committed to implementing the Prime Minister's vision of JAI — Jointness, Atma Nirbharta and Innovation,” General Subramani said.
He emphasised that organisational reforms and the transformation of the armed forces would continue to be pursued to boost operational effectiveness. Highlighting self-reliance as a cornerstone of national security, he said efforts would be intensified to accelerate the development, induction and integration of indigenous weapons and defence technologies.
General Subramani also stressed the importance of innovation in military modernisation, calling for greater collaboration between the armed forces, industry, academia, startups and the research ecosystem. “Innovation in thought and action will drive our capability development,” he said.