Pratik AgrawalGeneral Anil Chauhan India’s outgoing Chief of Defence Staff received a ceremonial Guard of Honour at South Block and paid his last tribute at the National War Memorial, drawing the curtain on a defining four-decade military career.
India’s outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, walked into military history on Saturday. He received a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block lawns in the national capital. The occasion marked the formal end of his tenure as the country’s highest-ranking military officer.
The tri-services farewell was a solemn and proud moment. General Chauhan stood before the assembled guard a final salute from a grateful nation. His retirement brings to a close one of the most consequential tenures in India’s defence establishment.
“It’s a matter of great honour for me to superannuate with a Tri-Services Guard of Honour. I thank the three services and Headquarters IDS for it. With the conclusion of the Guard of Honour, I bid farewell to my colleagues in uniform, comrades in arms forever.”
— General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff
Wreath at the War Memorial: A Humble Last Tribute
Following the Guard of Honour, General Chauhan drove to the National War Memorial. He laid a wreath there for the last time while in uniform. The moment was deeply personal for the outgoing CDS.
He described it as a heartfelt goodbye to India’s fallen soldiers. Family, friends, and well-wishers greeted him right after symbolising his passage from military life to the civilian world.
“I just laid the wreath at the War Memorial for the last time in uniform, as a humble tribute to those who laid down their lives in the line of duty. After the wreath laying, I was welcomed by friends, relatives and well-wishers. This is symbolic of my transition from uniform to civilian life. I had a very satisfying and excellent tenure.”
— General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff
Tenure Extension and the Department of Military Affairs
General Chauhan’s farewell follows his extended run at the helm. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his extension on September 24, 2025. His service as CDS and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, was extended up to May 30, 2026 or until further orders.
During his final week in office, General Chauhan chaired the last Chiefs of Staff Committee meeting. He also launched the Tri-Services Tele Directory Web Application developed in-house by the Directorate General of Signals. The tool aims to boost coordination across India’s defence establishment.
Four Decades of Service From 1981 to 2026
Commissioned into the Indian Army in 1981, General Chauhan served for over four decades. His career spanned key command and staff appointments across various theatres. He was decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal.
Operation Sindoor and the Shift to Multi-Domain Warfare
General Chauhan’s tenure will be remembered for India’s bold leap into multi-domain, non-contact warfare. During Operation Sindoor, he played a vital role in steering India’s military strategy. His approach accelerated the shift toward jointness across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
He consistently championed “JAI” Jointness, Atmanirbharta, and Innovation as the guiding principle for India’s armed forces transformation. His departure marks the end of an era. The search for a new CDS now begins.
The BRICS Times
Akshay Didwaniya
Mayur Mohta
Aditya Didwaniya