The tenure of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan has been extended up to 30 May next year, the Defence Ministry announced days before the end of his term (September 30). The extension is for 8 months. General Chauhan, 64, has held the post of CDS and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs since September 30, 2022.
The extension was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on Wednesday, cited by the Ministry of Defence in its statement.
While the age limit for the three service chiefs is 62 years or three years of service, whichever is earlier, the age limit for the CDS is 65 years, with no fixed tenure defined. Gen Chauhan assumed charge of the CDS, more than nine months after the post fell vacant following the death of Gen Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash. He had retired from service in May 2021 in the rank of Lt General, but assumed the rank of a four-star General after taking charge as India's second Chief of Defence Staff.
Since he held the office, CDS Chauhan’s primary focus has been on synergy between the tri-services — Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. He played a key role in ensuring this synergy during May’s Operation Sindoor.
Gen Chauhan held the office of the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) when Indian fighter jets pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan's Balakot in February 2019. He was also known to have provided key inputs for the operation.
Background:
Born on May 18, 1961, General Chauhan was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in the year 1981.
He held several command, staff, and instrumental appointments and had extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and North-East India. General Chauhan is an alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, and the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun.
When in the rank of Major General, he had commanded an Infantry Division in the critical Baramulla sector in the Northern Command. He also commanded a corps in the North-East and subsequently went on to become the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command.
For his service to the nation, General Chauhan has been awarded with Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Sena Medal (SM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).
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