Modi Govt Extends CDS General Anil Chauhan’s Tenure Till May 2026 Amid Push for Theaterization
The Modi government has extended the tenure of India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan by eight months, keeping him in office until May 30, 2026, a move seen as a strong endorsement of his leadership during a critical phase of military reforms. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the development on Wednesday (September 24, 2025).
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) had approved the extension, noting that Chauhan will continue to serve as CDS and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, until May 2026 or until further orders, the ministry said.
General Chauhan, commissioned into the Indian Army in 1981, was appointed CDS on September 28, 2022. His career spans over four decades with key command and staff roles, and before becoming CDS, he served as the military adviser to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).
Why CDS Anil Chauhan’s term extension matters?
The decision comes at a decisive moment for the armed forces, which remain divided over the implementation of theaterization—a long-debated reform aimed at unifying command structures and optimizing military resources for future conflicts.
On September 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed the defence ministry to accelerate steps to enhance jointness among the three services, underlining its importance in preparing for tomorrow’s battlefield challenges.
Jointness and recent operations
Jointness, a prerequisite for theatre commands, was notably demonstrated during Operation Sindoor, which saw a four-day confrontation with Pakistan and showcased the Indian military’s synergy in action. As CDS, Chauhan is the permanent chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) and serves as the single-point military adviser to the defence minister.
At the tri-services Ran Samwad conclave in Mhow in August 2025, General Chauhan acknowledged ongoing differences between the services on theaterization but stressed that alternative views were being considered constructively. He expressed confidence that disagreements would be ironed out through dialogue.
“There could be a difference among the three services, but we are able to listen to that point,” he said, further describing the openness as a sign of maturity, stressing that all disagreements would be resolved in the “best interest of the nation.”
With the extension, General Chauhan is now expected to play a central role in pushing through one of the most significant structural reforms in India’s defence establishment.
