Nation World

Who is Lt Gen Anil Chauhan (retd), India’s new CDS: 10 things to know | India News

NC Desk September 28, 2022

NEW DELHI: Lt General Anil Chauhan (Retired) was on Wednesday named India’s new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the top military post which aims to bring convergence in the functioning of Army, Navy and Air Force and bolster the country’s overall military prowess.
The appointment comes more than nine months after the post fell vacant following the death of Gen Bipin Rawat.
In a career spanning over nearly 40 years, Lt Gen Anil Chauhan held several command, staff and instrumental appointments and gained extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir and northeast India.
Here are key things to know about Lt Gen Anil Chauhan (retd):

Born on 18th May 1961, Lt Gen Anil Chauhan (retd) was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in 1981.
He studied at the Kendriya Vidyalaya in Kolkata and credits the city for shaping him as a soldier,
He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
In the rank of Major General, the officer had commanded an Infantry Division in the critical Baramula sector in the Northern Command.
Later as Lt General, he commanded a corps in the northeast and subsequently went to become the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command from September 2019 and held the charge until his retirement from the service in May 2021.
In addition to these command appointments, he also tenanted important staff appointments including the charge of Director General of Military Operations.
Lt Gen Chauhan (retd) had also served as a United Nations mission to Angola.
He superannuated from the Indian Army on 31 May 2021.
Even after his retirement from the Army, he continued to contribute to national security and strategic matters.
For his distinguished and illustrious service in the Army, Lt Gen Chauhan (retd) was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.