Centre Likely To Extend Tenure Of CDS Gen Anil Chauhan To May 2026 Till He Turns 65

The Centre is likely to extend the tenure of Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan till May 2026 when he will turn 65.

According to top government sources, the government has decided to extend Gen Anil Chauhan’s tenure till he turns 65 years old, which is the maximum permissible age for the post under the service rules.

The sources said the extension will ensure stability and continuity in military leadership at a critical time. They said this comes at a time India is focusing on theatreisation and joint command structures.

They said for Gen Chauhan, his major tasks include streamlining of ongoing reforms in higher defence management and procurement. The integration of tri-services is a key task requiring steady leadership and retaining the

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) will help operational continuity when India needs strong posturing against Pakistan after ‘Operation Sindoor’.

Gen Chauhan is the second CDS, who succeeded Gen Bipin Rawat to the post, since September 30, 2022. He was recalled from retirement to serve as the CDS, which permits military retirees under the age of 62 to be eligible. He is the first three-star appointee in the role, which is traditionally held by a four-star officer.

A highly-decorated infantry officer, he retired as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command at Kolkata’s Fort William in May 2021. After retirement and before taking up as the CDS, he also served as an adviser to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) headed by national security adviser Ajit Doval.