New Delhi, May 9: The Government of India on Friday appointed Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan as the next Chief of the Naval Staff, marking a key leadership transition in the armed forces.
Lt Gen Subramani will succeed General Anil Chauhan on May 30, 2026, and also assume charge as Secretary, Department of Military Affairs. Currently serving as Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat, he brings extensive experience, having earlier served as Vice Chief of the Army Staff and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command.
The government said his appointment ensures continuity in defence leadership at a time when the armed forces are undergoing major reforms to enhance jointness and operational efficiency among the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan has been appointed as the next Chief of the Naval Staff. He will take over from Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who retires on May 31.
Presently heading the Western Naval Command as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Swaminathan has nearly four decades of service and has held several key operational and administrative roles in the Indian Navy.
The appointments come as India pushes forward defence modernisation, integrated theatre commands and enhanced preparedness in emerging domains, including cyber and space.
