The Centre on Wednesday extended the tenure of General Anil Chauhan as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs, now until May 30, 2026.
“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has, on 24th September 2025, approved the extension of service of General Anil Chauhan as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) who shall also function as Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Military Affairs, upto 30th May 2026, or until further orders,” the Ministry of Defence said in a press statement.
General Chauhan first took over the job of CDS on September 28, 2022, after his predecessor, Gen Bipin Rawat, was sadly killed in a helicopter crash.
He was recalled from retirement to fill the job and became the first three-star officer to hold the job of CDS, a position historically reserved for four-star generals.
From Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand originally, General Chauhan was commissioned into the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla as a member of the 58 Course and later went to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun as a member of the 68 Course in 1980. He is also an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College in Wellington.
Commissioned to the Indian Army in 1981, General Chauhan has served with a distinguished career, with a number of important command and staff assignments.
During his career, he has been thoroughly employed in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East. In January 2018, he was designated Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), when under his guidance the 2019 Balakot airstrike against Pakistan was executed.
For his outstanding service to the Indian Army, General Chauhan has received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal.
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