The government appoints Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd.) as the next Chief of Defence Staff, who will also serve as Secretary, Department of Military Affairs. He will assume office after Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan completes his tenure on 30 May 2026.

Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani is currently Military Adviser, National Security Council Secretariat, from September 1, 2025