New Delhi – The Indian government announced on Wednesday an extension of General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), till May 30, 2026.

The decision, announced by the Ministry of Defense, guarantees consistency in the overall military leadership in the country as India proceeds with its ongoing defense modernization and restructuring.

The second CDS, General Chauhan, appointed on September 28, 2022, will remain the Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Military Affairs. His first term is to be concluded at the end of this month.

First-of-Its-Kind Extension

The extension of General Chauhan’s tenure is a notable development, as it is the first time in India’s history that a Chief of Defense Staff has been granted such an extension.

The CDS position was created with an upper age limit of 65 years, with no fixed tenure, allowing for potential extensions. General Chauhan will be 65 years old in May 2026.

The establishment of integrated theater commands is one of the most important reforms that General Chauhan is managing. This is a radical reorganization plan that seeks to unify the existing 17 single-service commands of the Army, Navy, and Air Force into a few joint commands to be able to have a more coherent and efficient war-fighting structure.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) decided on September 24, 2025, and it will be effective until further notice.