Who are Lt Gen N S Raja Subramani and Vice Adm Krishna Swaminathan? India’s new military chiefs
New Delhi: The Government of India has appointed Lieutenant General N S Raja Subramani (Retd.) as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan as the new Chief of Naval Staff.
The appointments mark an important transition in India’s top military leadership as the country continues its push towards defence modernisation and greater coordination among the armed forces.
Lt Gen Subramani will succeed General Anil Chauhan, whose tenure as CDS ends on May 30, 2026. Vice Admiral Swaminathan will take charge as Navy chief from May 31, 2026.
Who is Lt Gen N S Raja Subramani?
Lt Gen N S Raja Subramani is one of the senior-most retired Army officers with extensive operational and strategic experience. He is currently serving as Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat, a position he has held since September 2025.
Before this assignment, he served as Vice Chief of the Army Staff from July 2024 to July 2025. He also headed the Army’s Central Command as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief between March 2023 and June 2024. Over the years, he has held several important field and staff appointments within the Indian Army.
He has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Sena Medal (SM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for distinguished service.
What will be his role as CDS?
As Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen Subramani will function as the senior-most military adviser to the Government of India on matters related to defence and national security. He will also serve as Secretary in the Department of Military Affairs under the Ministry of Defence.
His key responsibilities will include improving coordination among the Army, Navy and Air Force, promoting integrated military planning, and supporting reforms aimed at building a unified fighting structure across the services.
The CDS also plays an important role in strategic negotiations, defence planning, modernisation programmes, procurement coordination and long-term military preparedness. The position was created to ensure faster decision-making and stronger joint operations among the three services.
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan to lead Indian Navy
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan has been appointed as the next Chief of Naval Staff and is expected to serve until December 31, 2028. He is currently serving as the Western Naval Commander in Mumbai, overseeing key naval operations in the Arabian Sea region.
Commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1987, he specialises in Communication and Electronic Warfare. During his long naval career, he has handled several operational, training and command assignments.
Educational and strategic background
Vice Admiral Swaminathan is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, the Joint Services Command and Staff College in the United Kingdom, the College of Naval Warfare in Karanja, and the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
His experience in naval strategy, communication systems and maritime operations is expected to play a major role in strengthening India’s naval capabilities and regional maritime presence.
Why these appointments matter
The appointments come at a time when India is focusing on integrated military reforms, indigenous defence manufacturing and expanding strategic preparedness across land, air and sea domains.
With growing regional security challenges and evolving warfare technologies, the new leadership will be responsible for strengthening operational readiness, improving inter-service cooperation and guiding India’s long-term defence strategy.