General Anil Chauhan appointed India’s second Chief of Defence Staff

Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan (retd), the military adviser to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and a former Eastern Army Commander, has been named as India’s next chief of defence staff (CDS), the government announced on Wednesday. He shall also function as the Secretary of the Government , Department of Military Affairs.

The Centre’s announcement came nine months after the tragic death of General Bipin Rawat in a chopper crash in Tamil Nadu.

This is for the first time that a retired officer has been appointed at this position for which a gazette notification was issued to announce the change in the rules for the appointment.

The Government has decided to appoint Lt General Anil Chauhan ( Retired) as the next Chief of Defence Staff who shall also function as Secretary to Government of India, Department of Military Affairs with effect from the date of his assumption of charge and until further orders, a statement released by the defence ministry said.

Born in 1961, Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in 1981. As Major General, Anil Chauhan had commanded an Infantry Division in the critical Baramula sector in the Northern Command. As Lieutenant General, he commanded a corps in the North East.

Anil Chauhan went to become the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command in September 2019. He held the charge until his retirement from the service in May 2021.

For his illustrious service, Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan (Retired) wasawarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal.