General Anil Chauhan Concludes Tenure as Chief of Defence Staff
Farewell Ceremony for General Anil Chauhan
Outgoing CDS General Anil Chauhan inspects the Guard of Honour, at South Block Lawn, in New Delhi, on Saturday. (Photo:PTI)
New Delhi, May 30: General Anil Chauhan, who has served as the Chief of Defence Staff, expressed that his time in office was "very satisfying" as he concluded his role after three years and eight months. His leadership emphasized enhancing collaboration among the three branches of the armed forces.
On Sunday, Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (retd) is set to succeed him as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
After receiving a ceremonial tri-services guard of honour, the outgoing CDS remarked, "I had a very satisfying and excellent tenure." He expressed gratitude to the three services and the Integrated Defence Staff for the honour of a farewell ceremony.
General Chauhan, who previously commanded the Eastern Army, took on the role of the nation's top military leader in September 2022, following the tragic death of the first CDS, General Bipin Rawat, in a helicopter accident in Tamil Nadu.
He stated, "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." This act marked a significant transition from military to civilian life, as he was greeted by friends and family afterward.
During his tenure, General Chauhan was instrumental in the planning and execution of Operation Sindoor, collaborating closely with the three service chiefs.
He prioritized the integration of the three services to bolster India's military capabilities in response to the changing regional security landscape.
Additionally, he initiated several strategies aimed at implementing the theaterisation model by establishing integrated military commands.
Although his term was originally set to conclude on September 30 of the previous year, he received an extension. After retiring as a lieutenant general in May 2021, he was promoted to a four-star General upon his appointment as the second Chief of Defence Staff.
General Chauhan was serving as the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) during the February 2019 airstrike on a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist camp in Balakot, Pakistan, where he played a crucial role in the operation's planning.
Born on May 18, 1961, he was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in 1981. Throughout his distinguished career, he held numerous command and staff positions and gained extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir as well as Northeast India.
For his outstanding contributions to the Indian Army, General Chauhan received several prestigious awards, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal.