OUTGOING Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Saturday described his tenure as “very satisfying” as he wrapped up a three-year-and-eight-month stint at the top military post, during which he focused on bringing synergy among the three services. Lt General NS Raja Subramani (retd) will take charge as India’s next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on Sunday. “I had a very satisfying and excellent tenure,” the outgoing CDS told reporters after he was accorded a ceremonial tri-services guard of honour. General Chauhan, a former Eastern Army Commander, took charge as the country’s senior-most military commander in September 2022, over nine months after the first CDS General Bipin Rawat died in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu. As Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Chauhan played a key role in planning and implementation of Operation Sindoor along with the three service chiefs.

 

During his tenure, he focused on ensuring tri-services synergy to enhance India’s military prowess in view of the evolving regional security scenario. The Chief of Defence Staff also initiated a number of measures towards India’s plan to roll out the theaterisation model by creating integrated military commands. “It’s a matter of great honour for me to superannuate with a tri-services guard of honour. I thank the three services and Headquarters IDS (Integrated Defence Staff) for it. With the conclusion of the guard of honour, I bid farewell to my colleagues in uniform, comrades in arms,” General Chauhan said. “I just laid the wreath at the War Memorial for the last time in uniform, as a humble tribute to those who laid down their lives in the line of duty. After the wreath laying, I was welcomed by friends, relatives and well-wishers. This is symbolic of my transition from uniform to civilian life,” he said. General Chauhan’s tenure was to end on September 30 last year, but he was given an extension.

 

He had retired from service in May 2021 in the rank of lieutenant Generaleral, but assumed the rank of a four-star Generaleral after taking charge as India’s second Chief of Defence Staff. General Chauhan was the Director Generaleral of Military Operations (DGMO) when Indian fighter jets pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan’s Balakot in February 2019. He was known to have provided key inputs for the operation. Born on May 18, 1961, General Chauhan was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in 1981. In his distinguished career, General Chauhan held several command, staff and instrumental appointments and had extensive experience in counter-insurGeneralcy operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast India.

 

The officer is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. In the rank of Maj Generaleral, the officer had commanded an Infantry Division in the critical Baramulla sector in the Northern Command. Later, he commanded a corps in the Northeast and subsequently went on to become the Generaleral Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command. General Chauhan was awarded with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal for his exemplary services to the Indian Army.