He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun…reports Asian Lite News
The Central government on Wednesday announced the appointment of Lt General Anil Chauhan (Retired) as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). The appointment comes nine months after Gen Bipin Rawat’s death in a chopper crash.
In a career spanning over nearly 40 years, Lt Gen Anil Chauhan had held several command, staff and instrumental appointments and had extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir and northeast.
Born on 18 May 1961, Chauhan was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in 1981. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
“In the rank of Maj 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,” the defence ministry statement said.
In addition to these command appointments, the officer also tenanted important staff appointments including the charge of Director General of Military Operations. Earlier, the officer had also served as a United Nations mission to Angola. The officer superannuated from the Indian Army on 31 May 2021. For his distinguished and illustrious service in the Army, Lt General Anil Chauhan (Retired) was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.
The CDS is also appointed as the secretary of the department of military affairs (DMA). According to the ministry, DMA has been assigned critical responsibilities that include overseeing matters related to neighbouring countries including border disputes and incidents, development of infrastructure in forward areas and deployment of forces. Some other responsibilities include restructuring of the Army, operational matters of the Indian Air Force, overseas deployment of warships and coastal security.
