Who is lieutenant general Anil Chauhan, India's 2nd chief of defence staff

The Indian government has appointed lieutenant general Anil Chauhan (retired) as the next chief of defence staff (CDS) who will also function as the secretary to the Government of India, department of military affairs, the defence ministry said in a notification on Tuesday (28).

Chauhan, 61, succeeds General Bipin Rawat, the first holder of the position who died in a military helicopter crash along with his wife and some other officers in Tamil Nadu in December last year. He had served since January 1, 2020, till his death on December 8.

Who is lieutenant general Anil Chauhan?

Lieutenant general Chauhan had held several command, staff, and instrumental appointments in a career spanning four decades. He also has extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and North-east India.

Born on May 18, 1961, lieutenant general Chauhan was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in 1981. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, Maharashtra, and the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

As a major general, he had commanded an Infantry Division of the critical Baramulla sector in the Northern Command. As the lieutenant general later, he commanded a corps in the North East. He later became the general officer commanding-in-chief of the Eastern Command from September 2019 and remained in charge till his retirement from the service in May last year.

Lieutenant general Chauhan also tenanted key staff appointments, including the charge of director general of military operations.

He had also served on a United Nations mission to Angola.

Even after his retirement from the army, lieutenant general Chauhan contributed to national security and strategic matters.

For his distinguished and illustrious service in the army, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal; Uttam Yudh Seva Medal; Ati Vishisht Seva Medal; Sena Medal; and Vishisht Seva Medal.