New Delhi, May 9
The Centre has appointed retired Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani as India’s next Chief of Defence Staff, while Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan has been named the new Chief of the Naval Staff. Both officers are expected to assume office later this month following the retirement of the current chiefs.
Lt Gen Subramani, who earlier served as Vice Chief of Army Staff, is widely regarded as an expert on Pakistan and China-related military affairs. As the country’s top military commander, he is expected to lead the government’s long-pending military theatreisation plan aimed at improving coordination between the Army, Navy, and Air Force through integrated commands.
The government said Lt. Gen. Subramani will also serve as Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs. He is scheduled to take over as Chief of Defence Staff on May 30, replacing General Anil Chauhan.
A veteran officer with over four decades of service, Lt Gen Subramani has held several operational and strategic appointments across the country. He has commanded infantry formations in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, and along the northern borders. He also led a major strike corps on the western front and later headed the Army’s Central Command.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy, Lt Gen Subramani has also studied at leading defence institutions in India and abroad, including King’s College London and the National Defence College in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan will take charge as the next Navy Chief on May 31, succeeding Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. He is currently serving as the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief of the Western Naval Command.
Vice Admiral Swaminathan is expected to continue the Navy’s ongoing modernisation efforts with a focus on operational readiness and maritime security. Commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1987, he specialises in communication and electronic warfare.
During his naval career, he has commanded several frontline warships and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. He has also served in key administrative and personnel management roles at Naval Headquarters.
The senior naval officer has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service. He holds academic qualifications in telecommunications, defence studies, and strategic affairs from institutions in India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The appointments come at a time when India is focusing on strengthening joint military preparedness and enhancing defence capabilities amid evolving regional security challenges.
