Chief of Defence Staff
2 checked stories, newest 4 Nov 2026.
What the paper can ask
- The top rungs line up across services: General = Admiral = Air Chief Marshal; Lieutenant General = Vice Admiral = Air Marshal; the ranks below pair off the same way.
- Field Marshal is a ceremonial five-star rank: Sam Manekshaw (1973) and K. M. Cariappa (1986).
- The Chief of Defence Staff post, approved by the Cabinet in late 2019, is held by a four-star officer from any service.
- Army Day (15 January), Navy Day (4 December) and Air Force Day each mark a milestone in that service's history.
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Cabinet gives Agniveers a two-year second engagement; CDS announces
Revise first Government schemes and missions were asked in CLAT 2021, 2022 and 2026
The other 75% will now be offered two more years, and can then be enrolled as regular soldiers if they meet the selection criteria. The 25% still join the regular forces after four years.
Exam angle, detailsExam angle: Agnipath and defence reforms are frequent current affairs questions.
Details
On 4 November 2026 the Union Cabinet approved a change to the Agnipath scheme. As before, 25% of Agniveers are to be enrolled in the regular forces after four years. The other 75% will now be offered an additional two-year engagement, and after it willing Agniveers can be enrolled as regular soldiers if they meet selection criteria. It was announced at a briefing by Chief of Defence Staff General N S Raja Subramani.
- Union Cabinet decision of 4 November 2026 on the Agnipath scheme
- 25% of Agniveers are enrolled in the armed forces after four years
- The remaining 75% get an additional two-year engagement, making six years in all
- After the extra two years, willing Agniveers are enrolled subject to selection criteria
- Announced at a media briefing by Chief of Defence Staff General N S Raja Subramani
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General N.S. Raja Subramani takes charge as India's third Chief of Defence Staff
General N.S. Raja Subramani became India's third Chief of Defence Staff on 31 May 2026, succeeding General Anil Chauhan. The CDS heads the Department of Military Affairs and is tasked with creating theatre commands.
Exam angle, detailsExam angle: CDS post created 2019; first CDS Bipin Rawat (2020), then Anil Chauhan (2022), now Raja Subramani.
Details
Gen N.S. Raja Subramani took over as India's third CDS on 31 May, succeeding Gen Anil Chauhan whose tenure ended on 30 May. He heads the Department of Military Affairs and is tasked with theatre commands and tri-service integration.
- Gen N.S. Raja Subramani took charge as India's third Chief of Defence Staff on 31 May 2026, succeeding Gen Anil Chauhan whose tenure ended 30 May
- Appointment announced on 9 May; he is also Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs
- Commissioned into the Garhwal Rifles in 1985; Military Adviser at the NSCS from 1 September 2025; Vice Chief of Army Staff July 2024 to July 2025
- Stressed tri-service integration; theatre commands are a key task
Test yourself
1.Army Day, 15 January, marks the day in 1949 when K. M. Cariappa became
Correct. On 15 January 1949 Lt Gen K. M. Cariappa took over from General Roy Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.
Not quite. On 15 January 1949 Lt Gen K. M. Cariappa took over from General Roy Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. It goes into your error book.
2.Indian Air Force Day is observed on which date, the date on which the IAF was founded in 1932?
Correct. The IAF was founded on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of British India.
Not quite. The IAF was founded on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of British India. It goes into your error book.