Born: 18 May 1961, Gwana, Pauri Garhwal district (now Uttarakhand)
Service: Indian Army (11th Gorkha Rifles), commissioned 13 June 1981
Current Position:
- Chief of Defence Staff (2nd CDS) – assumed office 30 September 2022
- Ex-officio Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Military Affairs
🎓 Education & Early Life
Educated at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Fort William, Kolkata, General Chauhan attended the National Defence Academy (58 Course) and Indian Military Academy (68 Course). He further trained at Defence Services Staff College, Higher Command Course, and National Defence College.
👨✈️ Military Career
- Held diverse command, staff, and strategic roles, including:
- Commissioned into 6/11 Gorkha Rifles (1981)
- Commanded an infantry division in Baramulla, Northern Command (as Major General)
- Commanded III Corps in the North East (as Lieutenant General)
- GOC-in-C, Eastern Command (Sep 2019 – May 2021)
- Director General of Military Operations; oversaw Balakot airstrike planning and Operation Sunrise
- UN Military Observer in Angola
- Post-retirement, served as Military Adviser at National Security Council Secretariat
Following retirement in May 2021, he was recalled to become CDS in September 2022, becoming the first three-star retiree promoted as a four-star officer to take up the post.
📌 As CDS and Secretary, DMA
- Appointment announced on 28 September 2022; assumed office on 30 September 2022. As CDS, he also serves as the permanent chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and principal military advisor to the Defence Minister. He is the ex-officio Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs.
- Oversees tri-service integration, theatre-command implementation, joint procurement, staffing, and strategic planning. His appointment brought clarity to whether CDS and DMA secretary posts would be separate.
🏅 Honours & Awards
Recipient of India’s top military awards:
- PVSM – Param Vishisht Seva Medal
- UYSM – Uttam Yudh Seva Medal
- AVSM – Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
- SM – Sena Medal
- VSM – Vishisht Seva
📝 Summary
General Chauhan is a distinguished soldier and strategic leader with four decades of service. From commanding units in Kashmir and the North East to leading tri-service integration as CDS and DMA Secretary, he plays a pivotal role in shaping India’s defense posture and military synergy.