New Delhi: Taking a big decision, the Modi government at the Center has appointed the new Chief of Defense Staff of the country. Lt Gen (retd) Anil Chauhan will be the country’s second Chief of Defense Staff. Along with this, he will also serve as the secretary of the Department of Military Affairs. Anil Chauhan will succeed General Bipin Rawat, who was earlier CDS and passed away untimely. The post had been lying vacant since the death of General Bipin Rawat in December. The Modi government at the Center had introduced CDS for coordination among the three services.
The Government of India appointed Lt Gen (Retd) Anil Chauhan as the next Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), who will also serve as Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, Government of India, the Defense Ministry said in a statement. In a career spanning over 40 years, Lt Gen Anil Chauhan (Retd) has held several command, staff, and assistant appointments and has vast experience in counter-insurgency operations in J&K and North-East India.
He has previously served as the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army. Lt Gen Anil Chauhan served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command. Chauhan is an alumnus of Kendriya Vidyalaya Kolkata, National Defense Academy, Khadakwasla, and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He belongs to the Rajput family of Gharwal.
Chauhan was commissioned in the 11 Gorkha Rifles in 1981. Chouhan retired on 31 May 2021. He has held several command, staff, and instructional appointments during his career. He also has experience in counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast India. During his career, he has been awarded Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2020), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (2018), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal for his service.
