The Government has decided to appoint Lt Gen Anil Chauhan (Retd) PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM as the next Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) who will also function as Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Military Affairs with effect from. on the day of its acceptance and until further orders.
In a career spanning nearly 40 years, Lt Gen Anil Chauhan held several command, staff and instrumental roles and had extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and North East India. Born on 18 May 1961, Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in 1981. He is a graduate of National Defense Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
At the rank of Major General, the officer commanded an infantry division in the critical Baramula sector of the Northern Command. He later commanded the Corps in the North East as a Lieutenant General and subsequently became the Senior Commander of the Eastern Command from September 2019 and held the command until his retirement from service in May 2021. In addition to these command functions, the officer also leased important staff positions, including the director general of military operations. Previously, the officer also served as the United Nations Mission in Angola.
The officer retired from the Indian Army on 31 May 2021. Even after leaving the army, he continued to contribute to national security and strategic affairs. For his distinguished and illustrious service in the Army, Lt. Gen. Anil Chauhan (Retd) was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.
