Key Points
- The government has extended the tenure of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan until May 30, 2026, or until further orders.
- The extension ensures continuity in his primary mission of creating integrated theatre commands (ITCs) and fostering jointness among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
- General Chauhan was appointed as India’s second CDS on September 28, 2022, following the death of General Bipin Rawat.
- His leadership during the recent ‘Operation Sindoor’ against Pakistan was widely praised for its successful tri-service coordination.
New Delhi: The Union Government has officially extended the tenure of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan until May 30, 2026, or until a new order is issued. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the extension on Wednesday, ensuring General Chauhan continues as CDS and as Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs.
Appointed on September 28, 2022, General Chauhan’s original three-year term was set to end this month. This extension is seen as a move to ensure continuity in India’s most significant military reforms, particularly the creation of integrated theatre commands (ITCs). This restructuring, a key priority for the government, aims to unify the Army, Navy, and Air Force into a cohesive war-fighting machine.
A Career of Distinguished Service
Born in 1961, General Anil Chauhan was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in 1981. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy, he has held numerous crucial command and staff roles throughout his career. Before becoming CDS, he served as the Military Advisor to the National Security Council Secretariat after retiring as the Eastern Army Commander in May 2021.
His exemplary service has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including:
- Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM)
- Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM)
- Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM)
- Sena Medal (SM)
- Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM)
Leadership in ‘Operation Sindoor’
General Chauhan’s strategic leadership was recently highlighted during ‘Operation Sindoor,’ a retaliatory precision strike against Pakistan following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The operation was lauded for its exceptional tri-service synergy. General Chauhan revealed that the 1 a.m. timing for the operation was a deliberate choice to demonstrate the forces’ capability for night-time imagery capture while minimizing civilian casualties.
As CDS, he continues the work started by his predecessor, General Bipin Rawat, who tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2021. General Chauhan’s extended tenure underscores the government’s confidence in his ability to steer complex defense reforms and enhance India’s military preparedness along its borders.
