The government appoints Lieutenant General N S Raja Subramani as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), succeeding General Anil Chauhan, according to multiple reports. Subramani is currently serving as the Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat, a role he has held since September 1, 2025. Several outlets report that his CDS position also carries the responsibility of serving as secretary of the Department of Military Affairs. Biographical details across the sources describe a career spanning a range of command and staff roles. The reports cite senior leadership and operational experience, including command of formations in different environments, service in senior Army staff positions such as Vice Chief of the Army Staff, and other key postings. One outlet also notes previous intelligence and command responsibilities, including a role as Deputy Director General of Military Intelligence and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command. The outlets collectively frame the appointment as a leadership change at the top of India’s unified military command structure, with Subramani moving from his current national security advisory role to the CDS post.