More than nine months after Gen. Bipin Rawat’s death in a helicopter crash, Lt. Gen. Anil Chauhan (retd), a former eastern Army commander and director general of military operations, was appointed as India’s new Chief of Defence Staff on Wednesday.
The 61-year-old Chauhan will also serve as Secretary in the Department of Military Affairs from the date he assumes command until further orders are issued. He is a decorated Army officer and an expert on China.
During the 2019 Balakot air strikes, in which Indian planes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan as a response to the Pulwama terror strike, he was the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Army.
When Lt Gen Chauhan (retd) takes over as India’s second Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), he will rise to the rank of four-star general.He will be the first retired officer with a three-star rank to be promoted to a four-star rank.
He retired from his position as commander of the eastern army last year and now works as a military adviser in the National Security Council Secretariat, which is led by NSA Ajit Doval.
According to a statement released by the defense ministry, “The government has decided to appoint Lt General Anil Chauhan (Retired) as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). He 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.”
Lt Gen Chauhan (retd) attended a ceremony on September 10 to rename the strategically important Kibithu military garrison in Arunachal Pradesh, along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), after the first CDS Gen Rawat.
Lt Gen Anil Chauhan, who was born on May 18, 1961, was commissioned into the Indian Army’s 11 Gorkha Rifles in 1981.
Lt Gen Anil Chauhan (retd) had extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast India over a career that spanned nearly 40 years. He held a number of command, staff, and instrumental appointments.
When Lt. Gen. Chauhan was in charge of the eastern Army, he left the military in May of last year.
He significantly contributed to improving India’s overall combat readiness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim sectors while serving as the Eastern Army Commander.
He graduated from the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun and the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla.
The officer, who held the rank of Maj General, had been in charge of an Infantry Division in the Northern Command’s crucial Baramulla sector.
He then served as a lieutenant general, leading a corps in the Northeast. In September 2019, he became the general officer in charge of the Eastern Command, a position he held until his retirement in May 2021.
The officer held important staff positions, such as Director General of Military Operations, in addition to these command appointments.The officer had previously been a member of the United Nations mission in Angola.
Lt. Gen. Chauhan (ret.), as CDS, will have to put into action the government’s ambitious plan to ensure tri-service synergy by establishing theatre commands.
The Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal were presented to retired Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan in recognition of his distinguished and illustrious service in the Army.
Since Gen. Rawat, his wife Madhulika, and 12 others were killed in a helicopter crash on December 8 of last year, the CDS position has been vacant.
Gen. Rawat became India’s first CDS on January 1, 2020, with the responsibility of enhancing the nation’s overall military prowess and bringing about convergence in the operation of the Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force.
The CDS was also tasked with making it easier for military commands to be reorganized in order to make the best use of resources by encouraging joint operations, including the creation of theatre commands.
The government made changes to the rules in June, making it possible for any serving or retired Lieutenant General, Air Marshal, or Vice Admiral under the age of 62 to be appointed to the CDS position.
In addition to serving chiefs of the three services, the new rules made it possible for officers with three stars to become the CDS.
However, officers over the age of 62 who wanted to be considered for the CDS position were turned down.
The CDS age limit is 65 years old, with no set tenure, while the age limit for the three Service chiefs is 62 years old or three years of service, whichever comes first.
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