General Anil Chauhan
PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd.)
Patron, India International Forum on Mine Action and Safety (IIFOMAS)
Former Chief of Defence Staff, India

General Anil Chauhan, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, is one of India's most distinguished military leaders, having served as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Indian Armed Forces from September 2022 to May 2026. With over four decades of exemplary service in the Indian Army, he has played a pivotal role in advancing jointness, integration and military transformation across the three Services.

Commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles in 1981, General Chauhan is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. During his illustrious career, he commanded an Infantry Division in the Northern Sector, a Corps in the North-East, and served as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Command. He has held several important staff and strategic appointments and has extensive operational experience in counter-insurgency and conventional military operations.

As Chief of Defence Staff, General Chauhan provided strategic leadership in strengthening India's defence preparedness and fostering greater integration among the Armed Forces. He has been a strong advocate of leveraging emerging technologies, promoting indigenous capabilities and preparing the military for the challenges of modern and hybrid warfare.

A recipient of the nation's highest distinguished service awards, General Chauhan's leadership is marked by professionalism, strategic foresight and an unwavering commitment to national service.

As Patron of the India International Forum on Mine Action and Safety (IIFOMAS), General Anil Chauhan brings invaluable strategic insight and global perspective to the Forum's mission of promoting humanitarian mine action, explosive ordnance risk mitigation, post-conflict recovery and international cooperation for building safer and more resilient societies.